Almost all people use at least basic arithmetic daily. They need it to count their change. There was a time, and not too long ago, where people could not do the basic calculations needed to conduct trade, and would require a smart man to tell them how much their chickens are worth.
Before the printing press (and at least a century after), most people could not read. This excluded them from scientific discovery too, since it was the means that people could exchange information over distance.
If you aren't able to do basic programming in a generation or two, you will probably be excluded from science too.
We're not suggesting every child needs to become a CS doc, but computers will be such a fundamental part of nearly every aspect of life, that the ones who can't hack programming will be treated like the children who can't read or count change in today's world - effectively useless. (Even more so since their "manual labour" is no longer necessary)
Before the printing press (and at least a century after), most people could not read. This excluded them from scientific discovery too, since it was the means that people could exchange information over distance.
If you aren't able to do basic programming in a generation or two, you will probably be excluded from science too.
We're not suggesting every child needs to become a CS doc, but computers will be such a fundamental part of nearly every aspect of life, that the ones who can't hack programming will be treated like the children who can't read or count change in today's world - effectively useless. (Even more so since their "manual labour" is no longer necessary)