[zachgalant]

> Reading and writing is the basis of forming arguments and understanding things -- quantitative or not.

Similarly, having an exposure to coding and computational thinking also fosters those sorts of critical problem solving skills that are helpful whether or not you're a programmer.

> I don't care if my therapist, dance instructor, baker, farmer, mother, coach, musician, ... (ad infinitum) knows how to reverse a linked list.

That is not the argument we are making. We are not advocating that a baker must also be a professional programmer, but we are saying that a certain level of computer literacy is important no matter what field you are in.

Similarly, we wouldn't expect your dance instructor to be well versed in Hemingway, but you would still value a basic level of reading and writing skills.

[hoytie]

Your first point is certainly true, but I still think that "as important as.." is an overstatement. Problem solving skills are taught in innumerable ways, so what makes programming the most important?

I agree with your second point too, but "computer literacy is important" belies "any job requires computational thinking". I think it's a great cause and I'm happy to chip in, but the hyperbolic text makes me crave a more nuanced discussion of it all.