I am not `its_so_on` but I would agree that it should be some sort of basic skill that people should probably take for granted.

The first reason is because it's at the bottom of one of the most contentious issues facing modern man: the question of whether we are ultimately mechanical in nature, and what that means moving forward. To understand this you have to understand what machines are, and what they do. It also helps on other contentious matters like understanding how natural selection works -- and that natural selection is possible -- to explain simple genetic algorithms and how 'fitness functions' can be used to indirectly design complex structures.

The second reason is that everybody today owns several computers. The single biggest thing that I use JavaScript for is GreaseMonkey scripts to make my favorite web sites do what I expect them to do. I think a lot of frustration comes from tiny things which we can't control -- and that computers give us a tremendous opportunity to control those tiny things.

They shouldn't. It's just another extreme position. Almost nothing is right for everybody.

This is not flippant, but if you think about it, it's what separates us from animals.

The only thing that separates us from other animals is a persistent desire to separate ourselves from other animals.

Exactly, because that is a sign of self consciousness which is what actually seperates us from other animals ;-)

Dunno, I've seen some evidence that other animals also have self-consciousness. Maybe it's the fact that we're uppity about it.

Everybody should have basic programming skills, just like math, writing, etc.

That doesn't mean we have to be happy with the shitty way things are currently done.

That doesn't answer the question of WHY everybody should have that skill set.