I only now realized that my comment was a bit unnecessarily patronizing! I meant it as a wish that programming could be as fun as Minecraft, but also remain as efficient as something like Python.

Imagine what that kid could build if a tool existed that was as interesting as Minecraft, but tailored toward making iPhone apps (or another very specific type of application). In the same amount of time, he could've probably made something even more impressive.

I was trying to express a slight disappointment that the tools were a limiting factor to the ability of people (like this kid) to build amazing things.

Instead of building a calculator, would he be able to do more in the same amount of time?

In that case, could he build a game? An app? Really, it doesn't matter what the end product (or the project) is. I was only trying to express a little disappointment that there wasn't a more efficient way to channel his energy into a final product that would allow him to accomplish an even more ambitious goal.

You are thinking about products and projects, the kid is thinking about having fun in a game. Totally different perspective.

It’s totally fun to just have fun without necessarily learning any important skills or developing a product that helps you make money.

I understand that, but are there opportunities to improve upon the "fun" of Minecraft that lead to an actually useful product? I'm sure the main motivation for building a calculator was the complexity of the problem -- not the usefulness of a Minecraft calculator. Imagine if the tools were tailored to keep the same level of fun while also empowering him to create something he could use!

That's what I meant by "think bigger" or "serious" -- the Minecraft calculator was fun and challenging, but is there something equally fun, equally challenging, but more useful? Can we make tools that empower kids to have more fun solving complex problems that lead to a useful result?

I sort of agree.

Many softwares have confusing interfaces. They are aimed at professionals who work with them all day and who will be trained to use them. Either they should have a "New to this program? Click this and we'll hide everything but the essential tools while you work through some tutorials" feature; and perhaps that could be a free version of the software.

What ideas do you have for tools to empower people?

Don't look down on a project just because it is done with low-level tools. Building a scientific calculator from logic gates may not put you on the track for a career in web programming, but it's still an impressive display of what can be made into a very useful set of skills.