An interesting debate: Is coding just another language?

Some people in Florida seems to think so, and the Senate there is set to act.

For me, this “let’s-all teach-little-kids-coding” stuff is about parental fears, blind ignorance about what constitutes a core competency and non-exportable skill (such, as say, “design”), and a living embodiment of that Shavian observation about us getting what we deserve from democracy. That such a misguided approach to the future welfare of our children and educational strategy is backed up by the usual suspects (translation: the media) is no surprise.

So,here are some reasons that coding is not just another language, based on those very moves in Florida to er, codify just the opposite view into law.

Do I think this proposal will pass muster?

Two words: “Hanging chad.”

Let’s all challenge this nonsense about coding being the same as French or Chinese when you come across it.

And, do move over CoderDojo and Co and let in the designers and user experience geeks.

You know you want to.