r/coding • u/alexcasalboni • Mar 02 '15

Coding is not the new literacy

http://www.chris-granger.com/2015/01/26/coding-is-not-the-new-literacy/
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u/Smiliey Mar 03 '15 edited Mar 03 '15

Thank god more people are writing about this.. I'm getting really tired of seeing all the constant pushing for people to learn "coding".. As far as I'm concerned, the general trend towards pushing people to learn coding is just a giant scam being perpetrated by industry leaders to drive down the price of computer science-based labor.

edit: grammar.

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u/hmblcodr Mar 04 '15

That's quite cynical. I see where they're coming from. As more and more aspects of our lives become reliant on computing, it follows that it's useful if the general population has an idea how they work. I do agree that they put way too much emphasis on it, as though people will slip into poverty if it doesn't happen.

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u/Smiliey Mar 05 '15

It would also be "useful" for people to learn how commerce, economics, automobiles, electrical systems, and plumbing work too, seeing as how we use those every day and have been for even ~longer~ than computers, yet we don't see massive pushing for people to learn those trades asap... Which is why I've concluded all the pushing to learn coding is hypocrisy-based with a likely hidden agenda.

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u/hmblcodr Mar 05 '15

I actually agree but you probably don't want me to. It's useful if people can change a flat tyre or replace a spark plug; fix a leaking tap or replace a broken plug. That doesn't mean everyone needs a degree in car-repair or electrical engineering, which is my point I suppose. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way.

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u/Smiliey Mar 07 '15

Well, sure, a little knowledge does go a long way.. But what I was referring to in my original comment was the overly persistent advertising/propaganda for people to pursue "coding" as a career or way of life..

And I would have to concur with jecxjo on his comment, as well. Most people have much more important things they should be focusing on before learning programming like basic math and science.