coherence of singular forms

[prpeggy]

From a magazine: Mitra decided to install a computer, operated only by cursor buttons. No doubt it would be vandalised by the children, giving him data on how to make them more robust.
I assume "them" cannot possibly refer to computers since the author first mention "computer" in the singular form.

 

[lian.alon22]

Well, my guess is the magazine wasn't paying more attention to the grammar and was indeed referencing computers of this type. It is not uncommon for magazines to not carefully check grammar. "Them" could also be modifying "cursor buttons", which is plural and could perhaps be made more robust.

 

[prpeggy]

So you think "making the children more robust" is illogical here.

 

[lian.alon22]

Definitely. That wouldn't make sense in any way, since he can't get data about the robust qualities of the children by studying how they treat a computer, nor does he have any way to make the children more robust.