[externalreality]

Two things.

1) Humans are stupid. If we were not were not we would have long ago colonized the solar system. The technology is there but we rather not. We would rather fight, discriminate, and withhold knowledge which would, quite literally, save all of our lives.

2) Programming principles can be understood because they are based on concepts that are largely built upon a physical machine. Math can't really be understood, you just have to become accustom to it. Mathematics is simply too abstract to relate to things you already know like programming is. So when learning maths don't try too hard, just memorize, and familiarize. Once you start thinking you are smart you stop working and you stop learning.