[lliwta]

> Why is that surprising?

The problem isn't that everyone doesn't learn it, but that noone learns it.

It wouldn't be a big deal if the elective were available but not taken by everyone. The problem is that in most cases, there isn't a programming class. Period. Ever.

> "why aren't we teaching children how to grow turnips?".

Why wouldn't we want to teach kids the basics of gardening? I was taught in elementary school, as part of our unit on "Biology" in second and third grade.