I've noticed that the people who initially grok programming language syntax are often better at learning new symbolic systems, but I think this is actually due to a persistent type I error their brains make that is OK for early learning.

People who end up being the best programmers have a deeper appreciation for semantics and information flow, but tend to commit more type II errors early on, making them inferior intro CS students.

Much of the CS curriculum (and typically also the required maths curriculum) in universities still favors the first type of student over the second, driving out the most capable and creative minds.