Why You Should Learn How to Code (為甚麼要學習編碼?)

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the shift from traditional degrees to skill-based education, particularly the importance of coding. Degrees, like MBAs, are no longer as valuable in today's job market compared to practical skills like programming, which is essential for long-term employment. The speaker compares learning to code with going to law school, as both teach critical thinking. They also highlight the growing gap between using computers and understanding how they work, stressing that those who know how to program shape the digital world and control the realities others live in.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The focus in education is shifting from degrees to skills; degrees like MBAs are becoming less relevant.
• 💻 Learning to code is essential for long-term employability, with programming skills being highly valued.
• 💼 A 24-year-old with no significant experience secured a $175,000 salary and $600,000 in stock options at a major tech company, showing the value of coding skills.
• 👨‍💻 Teaching children how to code is crucial, as it equips them with critical skills for the future.
• 🧠 Learning programming teaches people how to think in a structured way, similar to the analytical skills learned in law school.
• 🎨 Computer science should be treated as a liberal art, where everyone should take time to learn programming as a fundamental skill.
• 🔧 Understanding how computers work is becoming more important than just knowing how to use them, as interfaces have made computers more user-friendly but opaque.
• 👾 Modern technology users often don't understand the true purpose of the software they use, like Facebook, which monetizes relationships rather than just helping people make friends.
• 🔑 In the digital age, those who can program hold the keys to shaping the realities in which everyone else lives.
• 🌐 The gap between using computers and knowing how they work has widened, making it more critical for people to understand the underlying technology.

Q & A

What is the main point the speaker makes about the current trend in education?

The speaker argues that education is shifting away from degrees toward skills, where traditional credentials like an MBA are becoming irrelevant compared to practical abilities like coding.

Why does the speaker believe learning to code is important?

The speaker believes coding is crucial because it teaches a new way of thinking and problem-solving, similar to the cognitive skills gained in law school. Coding ensures employability and adaptability in a tech-driven economy.

What personal anecdote does the speaker use to support their argument about the value of coding?

The speaker shares a story about a 24-year-old who had no significant experience but was hired by a big company for $175,000 a year, along with $600,000 in stock options, due to his coding skills.

How does the speaker compare computer science to a liberal art?

The speaker views computer science as a liberal art because learning to program is seen as a fundamental skill that everyone should acquire, just as learning to read and write was essential in earlier ages.

What does the speaker imply about the relationship between using and programming computers?

The speaker implies that as computers became more user-friendly, people grew disconnected from understanding how they actually work. This lack of knowledge makes users more vulnerable to being controlled by software rather than controlling it.

What analogy does the speaker use to explain the importance of understanding programming?

The speaker compares programming to learning to speak when humans acquired language and learning to write when text was developed. Just as these skills empowered people, learning to program empowers users in the digital age.

What warning does the speaker give about the use of software like Facebook?

The speaker warns that users often don't understand the true purpose of the software they use, such as Facebook, which is not just for making friends but for monetizing relationships. This highlights the importance of knowing what the software is actually doing.

What does the speaker mean by 'whoever holds the keys to programming builds the reality'?

The speaker means that those who can program have the power to shape the digital world and the way others interact with it. Without understanding programming, people are subject to the control of those who do.

How does the speaker view the current distance between computer users and computer programming?

The speaker believes the gap between using a computer and understanding its underlying programming has widened over time, making users less aware of how the systems they interact with actually function.

What connection does the speaker draw between learning to code and long-term employability?

The speaker suggests that learning to code ensures long-term employment opportunities because programming skills are highly valuable in today's technology-driven economy, offering a sustainable career path.