[thrmsforbfast]

Being "good with computers" does not fetch $200k.

Knowing the difference between "file" and "directory" and being able to touch type won't get you a $200K engineering position at Google...

Furthermore, if the goal is to generate as many $200K-comp-caliber engineers as possible, parent's point is the right one. A kid who shows up at college with the ability to write well and a bit of mathematical maturity has a much brighter future than a kid who is "good with computers" but struggles with basic math.

[roymurdock]

computer literacy is the first step down the rabbit hole of compsci, and as we offload more and more of our cognitive, memory, and computing load onto computers, i would argue it will only become more important than knowing your sohcatoa and how to take derivatives. it will come to replace some fundamental skills that kids are forced to learn today (and most never end up using) whereas almost everyone uses a computer today but very few know how a transistor works, how a website is served, what x86/Arm is, etc.

learning the concept of variables, and learning basic language syntax is still obviously very important, but learning basic computer skills is a prerequisite for becoming interested in computers, the internet, and how digital technology works in the first place that can lead to the development of skills to land one of these jobs. focusing on math, maybe will get you there, focusing on english/history definitely will not, unless you go to an ivy league and transition into "data science". it's just the reality of the job market

[empthought]

“How” to take derivatives is not the education that people need.

Why to take derivatives is much more important.