One of the things I enjoy about my job is that I get to interact with people from all over the world with all levels of computer skills, from the ninja programmers to people who are afraid to click anything.

This is also one of the more baffling aspects as well.  I find it incredibly difficult to understand how it is that someone can use their computer, sometimes for years, and not realize that there is a list of installed programs in the "Start" menu (assuming they are using MS Windows)... they assume that if the icon is not on the desktop, the application is not installed.

I always thought that simple curiosity would prompt people to explore a little... to see what's there... and discover what they can do... not just with computers, but with everything in life.  Something is holding some people back though.  Are they conditioned to be afraid of trying for fear of breaking something?  Is it simply an education thing, and these people simply need to be shown what is possible?  Or is it something else deeper and more fundamental?