Is Learning How to Code Really Essential for Everyone?

The idea that “everyone should learn programming” has become so widespread that it even led the mayor of New York City to famously declare his intention to learn to code back in 2012. While this was undoubtedly a gesture aimed at appealing to the burgeoning tech community of NYC, it raises a fundamental question: is coding truly a skill that everyone needs to acquire? If the mayor of a major metropolis needs to dive into JavaScript to effectively manage his responsibilities, it might indicate a deeper systemic issue within governance itself. Even if Mayor Bloomberg were to “Learn How To Code,” echoing Adam Vandenberg’s humorous sentiment, one might expect the outcome to resemble something simplistic and repetitive:

 10 PRINT "I AM MAYOR"
 20 GOTO 10

Fortunately, the likelihood of this scenario, even in jest, is negligible. The mayor of New York City, we can reasonably assume, will dedicate his time to the duties for which taxpayers elected him. As outlined on the Office of the Mayor’s website, these responsibilities encompass crucial areas such as improving school attendance, enhancing public transportation, and managing the city’s substantial budget. The list goes on, and none of these explicitly require writing code.

For proponents who advocate for programming as an essential skill, placing it alongside reading, writing, and arithmetic in our children’s education, a crucial question remains: how would becoming a proficient Java coder overnight actually improve Michael Bloomberg’s ability to lead the largest city in the United States? The relevance of strong reading, writing, and mathematical skills to the role of a politician, or indeed, to almost any profession, is undeniable. However, the same cannot be unequivocally said for understanding variables, functions, pointers, and recursion.

While I personally have a deep appreciation for programming and recognize its significance within specific contexts and for certain individuals, it’s important to acknowledge that numerous other skills hold equal, if not greater, value in a broader societal context. To insist that everyone should learn programming is akin to suggesting that everyone should learn plumbing – a notion that seems quite absurd.

Advice for those considering plumbing as a career path.

The “everyone should learn to code” movement falters not just in its flawed comparison of coding to foundational life skills like literacy and numeracy, but in several other critical aspects as well. It oversimplifies the diverse needs of individuals and the workforce, and it often overlooks other equally vital skills.

Perhaps a basic understanding of what code is and when it might be a suitable solution to a problem is beneficial for everyone. Just as we can recognize plumbing issues without being plumbers ourselves, a general awareness of computers and the internet is increasingly becoming a fundamental life skill. Prioritizing digital literacy, ensuring everyone can navigate the internet effectively and understand basic online concepts, should arguably take precedence over a blanket push for coding education.

Let’s move away from advocating for learning to code simply for the sake of coding itself, or worse, chasing perceived lucrative salaries. Instead, I propose we focus our efforts on cultivating skills that are genuinely universally beneficial and applicable across all walks of life. We should prioritize learning how to:

• Research effectively and develop a fundamental understanding of how the world around us operates. This encompasses critical thinking, information discernment, and a lifelong curiosity to learn and explore.
• Communicate effectively with fellow human beings. This includes clear written and verbal communication, active listening, empathy, and the ability to collaborate and connect with others.

These skills, which extend far beyond the realm of coding, are the true essential skills that will empower individuals in every facet of their lives, regardless of their chosen career path. They are the bedrock of personal and professional success in an increasingly complex world.