[rekshaw]

Yes, hence my point! I believe we will see more and more of this. Today programming is seen as a skilled art that only the few can comprehend, much like writing was back in ancient times. And so, only a programmer can effectively apply custom technology to non-technical tasks like baking.

In the future, programming will be more accessible, and potentially be so common and part of the upbringing of children that anyone will be able to program simple things they need.

I also see the counter-argument that this is utopian and people will just get more and more stupid. But one can only hope it is not the case! :)

[zrobotics]

Why must programming be so universal? Look at the number of people who would balk at a simple task like replacing a plumbing fixture or a light fixture. This isn't implying that these people are 'stupid', it just isn't a skill that they have decided is worthwhile to learn. Changing the oil in your car isn't hard to learn, and certainly isn't filtering out the stupid, but there are just a lot of people who simply don't feel it is worth learning how to do. And programming isn't any different--it simply isn't a universal enough skill. Sure, it is essentially required to know basic arithmetic and literacy to function in a modern society, but I don't think that programming is a skill that will ever be on that level.

Maybe that argument could apply to typing, but I'm not sure that even the ability to use a keyboard will be that kind of universal required skill in my lifetime.