I think it's only the "wrong message" to people who aren't young anymore and don't program yet, which is most people. It makes programming seem less accessible.

I think it's only the "wrong message" to people who aren't young anymore and don't program yet, which is most people. It makes programming seem less accessible. To young people, I agree: start now. I realize this seems circular, and there's probably a better way to make my point. My motivation is all the non-programmers I meet who think programming is scary. I don't believe it is (hence the mention of codecademy.com at the end of the post). As for payment, you're right: making something people want is a better measurement of value, regardless of whether others pay for it, and even that's not a complete measurement of your ability. But Mozart made money early, which is why I mentioned it.