Our society expects that everyone should learn to write, even though very few become professional writers. Similarly, I think that everyone should learn how to program, even though very few will become professional programmers.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The best thing about writing programs is that it rationalized the apprenticeship of a writer.
Even though most people won't be directly involved with programming, everyone is affected by computers, so an educated person should have a good understanding of how computer hardware, software, and networks operate.
Most good programmers do programming not because they expect to get paid or get adulation by the public, but because it is fun to program.
Most people won't realize that writing is a craft. You have to take your apprenticeship in it like anything else.
Every writer has to find their own way into writing.
Everyone is taught the essentials of writing for at least 13 years, maybe more if they go to college. Nobody is taught music or tap dancing that way.
Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important they get paid to do it. There are other professions like that, but not that many.
There is a whole industry in America of people who want to write, and those who teach it. Even if the students don't end up writing, what's good about them taking the courses is, they become great readers, learning to appreciate the writing.
But I think everybody should write. I think those people with stories who don't write should be stomped on.
Writing requires a great deal of skill, just like painting does. People don't want to learn those skills.