CODE

Yes, You Really Can Learn to Code and It Won’t Hurt Your Brain Very Much At All

But no, this probably won’t get you a programming job

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I think it’s unfortunate that so many people see writing computer code as something ordinary mortals cannot comprehend. They think that coding is the exclusive domain of geniuses, that ordinary people might as well bang their head against a brick wall because that would hurt less than learning to code.

Actually, it’s much worse than that.

Some people can be professional programmers. Some of us can be physicists, NFL quarterbacks, Michelin chefs, prize winning authors, and so on. Most of us have less lofty ambitions because our innate blessings were more like corner diner leftovers than a gourmet feast. Some people say that we all have a special talent. Sure, if that makes you happy. Mine is knowing happy talk when I hear it.

But people who aren’t NBA stars can lob a basketball toward the net and even hit it now and then. People who have never been on the New York Times Best Seller list can make money at Medium. And people who will never be professional programmers can learn a bit of coding.

But why would you?