>Not everyone can program (beyond simple tasks) This is true. And not everyone can write like shakespeare, but that doesn't mean that those who aren't going t

>Not everyone can program (beyond simple tasks) This is true. And not everyone can write like shakespeare, but that doesn't mean that those who aren't going to ever be very good at it don't benefit from learning the basics of reading and writing. Most people can learn how to read and write, and yeah, even though most people never get very good at either one? even basic literacy vastly improves your economic value. I would argue that programming is a lot like basic literacy; Sure, most people aren't going to be able to do anything very complex; but if you can't handle a spreadsheet? you are at a serious, serious disadvantage. Personally, I think most people would be vastly better off if our schools taught some very basic variant of python (or basic or something) High school should teach average and above children the basics of putting together a database interface with something like 'access' (or some other GUI... personally, I think something open-source would be most appropriate, but I don't know anything open-source that is as dead simple as microsoft access of the '90s.) But yeah, things like programming spreadsheets? that should be taught to everyone; like basic math and reading, pains should be taken so that even the worst students get some of it.