[blueatlas]

I agree, and these are important CS topics. However, Big O made so much more sense to me after I've had a chance to understand basic machine execution and written a few non-trivial programs.

There's another aspect regarding when to introduce some of these topics - getting kids and new CS students interested and energized about what they are studying. I know the argument could be made that if these topics aren't of interest then don't do CS, but they must be introduced at the right time.