It's complicated

Why are computers and networks so complicated?  Why can't we protect ourselves from cyber criminals?  Why can't someone explain to me quickly how the internet works?   We don't get educated on these concepts that have now become essential knowledge to navigate the world.

Imagine you met a frozen-in-ice-come-back-to-life prehistoric person.    And you and your new friend were dropped off in the Save-On-Foods to get food.  You have so much acquired knowledge about things that will flummox your prehistoric friend, for example

• selecting the food.  Recognizing what it looks like in processed state.  Being able to read the labels and understand the nutritional value information.   Knowing there is such a thing as a 'dairy' section or a 'deli' and what types of things you may find there. 
• Not everything in the store is food.  Some things will kill you.  And did you know you can also buy books, medication, coffee cups, at your grocery store?
• Most items have packaging and some have safety packaging.   This protects against supply chain vulnerabilities but you need to know that the item you're looking for is hiding underneath.  And opening items takes special unpacking tools and skills.
• Many items have a best-before date (think version :) ) on them.  And you know that you want the look for the latest version in which recent issues have been addressed. You also know that the label "new and improved" may just mean more bloatware :) 
• Understanding how pricing works - by weight, by unit.  And things may be on sale.   That the price may be indicated on the item, or on the price indicator on the shelf location.    
• That there may be many choices for an identical item, many brands, many different ways of packaging.  How would you choose between Heinz fried beans and the Save-On-Foods own brand?  For that matter, how would you even know that inside this metal container is something edible?
• The routing process - you select your food, go to checkout, put your items on the belt, that a stranger will examine each item and hits keystrokes and performs calculation magic and proclaims the outcome $217,60!  You may need to pick the checkout, queue for your turn, know that a light above the checkout indicates it is open, that the little divider sign may say 'I'm closing, choose another checkout"
• Paying: financial transactions - the fact that you have to pay for food.  At a cashier.  The fact that this can be by cash - this weird piece of paper with a numeric indicator of value.  Paying by card - by tap, or by entering your PIN.  

We are taught about this from a very early age.  Our parents take us along when they go grocery shopping.  By observation and imitation, we learn the usual process. Our parents may explain things. 

And we don't do the same for the other universally required knowledge, that is now required to navigate the world: the internet, computers, and basic cyber security concepts.  

I'm trying to write an article about how to set up your home network, to give the average person a place to start.  And realized how many foundational concepts require explaining to even get to the basics.   We need to start teaching these concepts.  Because just like you need to be able to navigate a grocery store, it is vital that you understand the basics of technology.