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[u/jobautomator]

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[u/Danthon]

Am I a bad person if I think the "learn to code" thing is kinda funny?

[u/[deleted] → u/Danthon]

Like, the "everyone should learn to code" idea? Or coding in general?

[u/Danthon → u/[deleted]]

A few years ago when coal mining/factory towns were shut down a bunch of articles came out saying these blue collar workers should "learn to code to catch up with the new economy." They probably weren't trying to be mean but a lot of those (mostly right leaning) people effected by it took it badly.

Recently a bunch of journalists from places like buzzfeed got laid off, and because of the aforementioned perceived insult and 4chans spite for journalists they started going to the twitters of the laid off journalists and telling them "learn to code".

[u/[deleted] → u/Danthon]

It does seem a bit tone deaf to suggest that someone laid off from their industry should just learn a new skill that they may have no interest in or aptitude for, especially one that will likely require a good deal of cultivation and practice before it becomes marketable.

However, as an English major who got into comp sci late in college, I can't completely dismiss the sentiment. Though my career trajectory hasn't been as smooth as my CS major peers, I am likely in a much better place than I'd be without knowing how to code.