SA>Why is it that so many people fail to see the phenomenal benefits of
SA>programming.  With such a simple set up, one can explore an intense
SA>discipline of logic, orderly thinking, refined argument and creativity. 
SA>All this is done without the need for great expense in replaceable
SA>supplies, cleanup or health hazard.  
One could argue, however, that while students must certainly
be functional in math and english, and have at least a
nodding acquaintance with science, they could, in general, 
survive quite nicely without being able to program.
Certainly SOMEONE has to know how, but it isn't needed by
everyone or even MOST....  What's more, by dint of your
argument, would not the teaching of assembler (not macro) or 
straight binary coding then be the ULTIMATE way of teaching
programming (they WOULD demand the most in logical progress
and orderly thinking)?
SA>... thinking that the only benefit to this would be to turn out 
SA>programmers is to use the age old logic studies in history only 
SA>turn out historians, math can only turn out mathemeticians, etc.
Your points are well-taken, and yes, there are things to be
gained by learning about programming, but math and history
are, imo, more needful for most students than is programming.
Even science has to take a backseat so far as "needfulness",
as one could get along without it most of the time.....
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