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I don’t understand how this is surprising. We have reached a point where devices and software are working well enough to not worry about how they work. The same

I don’t understand how this is surprising. We have reached a point where devices and software are working well enough to not worry about how they work. The same happened with cars and probably a lot of appliances. Some decades ago you needed to know how they work so you could repair them. Nowadays not many people have even the foggiest idea how a car works. They just use it.

hombre_fatal 7y ago
I've seen HNers assert that everyone should learn to code or know how a computer works which I think is just a level of hubris because they themselves happen to care about those things. Or confuse it with something particularly positive about themselves. Meanwhile, there are plenty of things those same people don't care about knowing, like how an engine might work, how their girlfriend of five years puts on makeup despite her doing it daily, how electrical/water/gas works in their house, the history of civilization, how their government works, etc. Life is a crap sandwich in so many ways that I don't think these expectations are fair until we're immortal with infinite leisure time.
- nicoburns 7y ago
  Disagree with this. As a 26 year software developer, it's been fascinating to see just how many of my peers in non-software industries are now interested in learning to code because it's useful for their jobs. Coding allows you to talk to machines, and machines are everywhere in modern society. Here in the UK, basic coding is now taught in schools (from primary school!). And I think this makes sense. Not everybody's going to be an expert. But the basics are incredibly useful, just as with math, science, history, etc. Note: most of the other things you list as things that people don't care about knowing are also taught to a basic level in schools.
  - Izkata 7y ago
    > it's been fascinating to see just how many of my peers in non-software industries are now interested in learning to code because it's useful for their jobs. Agreed here. One of my co-workers started a coding club at lunch, for people in other departments who don't know how to code. For several of them it's changed from black magic to an amazing productivity enhancer.
- bitcurious 7y ago
  I’m of the opinion that everyone should learn to code, but not because the coding is universally useful. Rather, it’s because learning to code is the best way I know to learn to be okay with failure. Shit breaks, you try again.
  - smabie 7y ago
    I think just living teaches you that lesson.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
  - hombre_fatal 7y ago
    You learn that elementary life lesson doing literally anything in life.

hombre_fatal 7y ago

I've seen HNers assert that everyone should learn to code or know how a computer works which I think is just a level of hubris because they themselves happen to care about those things. Or confuse it with something particularly positive about themselves. Meanwhile, there are plenty of things those same people don't care about knowing, like how an engine might work, how their girlfriend of five years puts on makeup despite her doing it daily, how electrical/water/gas works in their house, the history of civilization, how their government works, etc. Life is a crap sandwich in so many ways that I don't think these expectations are fair until we're immortal with infinite leisure time.

nicoburns 7y ago
Disagree with this. As a 26 year software developer, it's been fascinating to see just how many of my peers in non-software industries are now interested in learning to code because it's useful for their jobs. Coding allows you to talk to machines, and machines are everywhere in modern society. Here in the UK, basic coding is now taught in schools (from primary school!). And I think this makes sense. Not everybody's going to be an expert. But the basics are incredibly useful, just as with math, science, history, etc. Note: most of the other things you list as things that people don't care about knowing are also taught to a basic level in schools.
- Izkata 7y ago
  > it's been fascinating to see just how many of my peers in non-software industries are now interested in learning to code because it's useful for their jobs. Agreed here. One of my co-workers started a coding club at lunch, for people in other departments who don't know how to code. For several of them it's changed from black magic to an amazing productivity enhancer.
bitcurious 7y ago
I’m of the opinion that everyone should learn to code, but not because the coding is universally useful. Rather, it’s because learning to code is the best way I know to learn to be okay with failure. Shit breaks, you try again.
- smabie 7y ago
  I think just living teaches you that lesson.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- hombre_fatal 7y ago
  You learn that elementary life lesson doing literally anything in life.