Luis Fanon: From CAPTCHA to Duolingo

This chapter explores the life and innovations of Luis Fanon, the creator of Duolingo, highlighting his formative years in Guatemala and pivotal role in developing CAPTCHA technology. The discussion draws clever parallels between Fanon's entrepreneurial strategies and the story of Tom Sawyer, illustrating how engagement can transform mundane tasks into enjoyable activities. It also delves into the social and cognitive advantages of language learning, examining Duolingo's rise as a predominant platform in the U.S. and its impact on users' interests in both real and fictional languages.