Ask HN: What is the most compelling reason young people should learn to program?

Where did you pull that 99.9% number out of?

Perhaps 90+% tolerated it because at least it wasn't inherently a horrible experience to go through, but actively grateful? I for one would prefer spending those man-months of my childhood on things that interest me more...

If they aren't themselves drawn to and captivated by the medium, then they simply shouldn't be here. They should be somewhere they actually care about instead. You could maybe set something up that would pique their interest (modding a video game, a robotics project, automating some bit of rote math homework they hate), and if it does, take that lead and support them in any way you can. Otherwise, it's just proselytizing with a different bible, and people seldom appreciate that. You will not reach ears that don't care.

Because you can automate the boring stuff. Apply logic once and relax. A human shouldn’t have to act like a computer.

The most compelling reason I communicate with young people who I work with in this age bracket is the idea of a safe sandbox.

Programming is a way to learn a new language that allows you to build something...ANYTHING...that you can easily tear down, upgrade, keep, or share.

There is nothing like the feeling of trying to build something, getting stuck, having the AHA moment, then seeing it work!

I don't focus on a particular language, stack, or goal. I push them to think about what they want to build, break, and poke around with, find an example online, then open it up and try to modify it.

I've found that most teens want the ability the explore, on their own terms. Programming is too often told from the perspective of working adults who focus on productivity, profit, or protection against obsolescence (you better learn it b/c it will be needed in your future). At that age, most kids aren't motivated by that because it's not their context.

I completely disagree with the notion that one has to "just like it" or "find your own motivation or its not for you". This is not a pipeline problem. This is an incentive problem and the industry is mostly incentivized by efficiency, speed, and profit. I try to focus on the value.

> if they are not interested in pursuing a career in the tech industry?

There is very little reason to learn something you aren't going to use. They should invest their time in what they find compelling and they will be successful.

If you think they need to learn to code to be "future proof" that day has past. In the future there will be millions of coders it won't pay well and they will have spent their energy, money and time doing something they don't enjoy and have no use for.

You can make good money as a builder or electrician etc don't try to fit a role you aren't made for.