I wouldn't call myself a geek, but I do sometimes teach Mommy and

"I wouldn't call myself a geek, but I do sometimes teach Mommy and Daddy stuff about computers. And I do watch TV, but only informative programmes like the news and documentaries." – Adora Svitak

In the dawning age of the digital realm, where machines hum with knowledge and the world seems to shrink beneath the weight of endless data, there arises a new class of teacher—the young, the unassuming, those whose minds are tuned to the rhythms of a world they were born into. Adora Svitak—a voice from this generation—speaks with the wisdom of one who is both an inheritor of technology and a humble guide to those who once held dominion over the world of knowledge. Her words, simple yet profound, reveal an evolving truth about the nature of learning and wisdom in this new era.

Her declaration that she is not a geek, yet still teaches her parents about the intricacies of the digital world, mirrors a deeper, age-old reality: knowledge and power are ever-shifting. In ancient times, it was the elders who held the wisdom, their hands weathered by years of experience. The young were the students, the learners, the apprentices. But now, in the wake of the technological revolution, the roles are often reversed. The young—the digital natives—hold within them a knowledge of machines, of circuits, of algorithms that even the most learned elders struggle to grasp. In this way, the circle of wisdom has shifted, and those once seen as inexperienced are now the torchbearers of knowledge in an ever-changing world.

It is said that Socrates would often challenge his students to question everything, to think not in terms of established truths, but in terms of seeking new answers. What Adora Svitak’s quote speaks to is not a challenge to the old ways of learning, but a recognition that the nature of wisdom itself is evolving. Technology—once the domain of the learned scholars and great engineers—has now become something so ubiquitous, so integrated into daily life, that even the youngest among us have mastered its language. Adora, in her humility, does not claim to be a “geek,” yet through her ability to teach her parents, she shows a deeper truth—wisdom is not bound by age, nor by tradition, but by the capacity to adapt and learn.

Consider the story of Archimedes, the ancient Greek who, in the pursuit of understanding the nature of the world, transformed our understanding of physics and mathematics. Yet Archimedes was not merely a learned scholar of his time—he was a master of his craft, a visionary whose insights laid the foundation for future generations. However, in the same breath, he would have been a beginner in the eyes of future generations—his work, like all knowledge, would eventually be surpassed. What Archimedes demonstrates, and what Adora Svitak echoes, is that the true wisdom of humanity is not confined to the age of a person, but to their ability to question, to adapt, and to teach.

This passage from Adora teaches us something invaluable: that the pursuit of knowledge is not just a task for the old and wise, but for all who are willing to learn. To “teach Mommy and Daddy about computers” is to acknowledge that wisdom is not static. It is not something that is passed down once and for all but something that flows, like a river, through all generations, continually shaped by the needs and realities of the present. This teaches us that learning is a lifelong process and that each generation has a role to play in passing on the torch, not merely from elder to child but in an ongoing cycle where all are both teachers and students.

We must remember that wisdom—in all its forms—cannot be hoarded, nor can it be confined to a certain class or age group. It is something to be shared, explored, and expanded upon by all. If the elders of today seek knowledge, they must turn to the young, to those who have been immersed in the language of technology, for it is they who now hold the key to understanding the world as it is today. Similarly, the young must look to the elders not as repositories of outdated wisdom, but as mentors who have experienced life’s greatest lessons—the challenges of the human heart, the complexities of society, and the struggles of the soul.

Thus, the lesson we must take away is one of humility and open-mindedness. We must never assume that wisdom is solely the province of the old or the young, the experienced or the novice. In this age of constant change, we must see each person, regardless of age, as a potential teacher and a potential student. Let us embrace the technological revolution not with fear, but with the understanding that it offers new ways to learn and share knowledge. Let us value the wisdom of experience, but also honor the fresh perspectives that the young can offer. In doing so, we will foster a culture where learning knows no bounds, and wisdom is shared freely, across generations.