[dgant]

Another point to add to Justin's:

Few skillsets grant you more of an ability to be self-reliant than the ability to understand and write software -- even if there's no job description written for what you do, or no company who will hire you. In almost any field of entrepreneurship, if you have tech savvy which your competitors don't, you have an inherent advantage against them and an ability to crack open the market.

Are you a DJ or party promoter who understands SEO/SEM and social media? You've got a leg up. Are you the only person in your area who understands both fashion apparel supply chains and software? You could be providing immense value.

[AznHisoka]

I don't think knowing how to write software is needed to understand SEO/SEM

[dgant]

True. I could have been more careful with my phrasing.

The original point, stated differently:

Understanding software and the modern web -- even short of being able to write it -- can still give someone a sizeable advantage in many fields.