First, the gap between rich and poor is a ridiculous argument for saying the "rich" should stop learning new skills. Property is one thing, we can debate that forever (as far as I'm concerned, neither capitalism nor communism nor any of their variants can yet claim victory, if ever), but knowledge? We now have to stop our children from knowing stuff in order to create a more egalitarian society? That's too insane even for my European "socialist" standards.
Second, learning all kind of basics, from math to biology to chemistry are all accepted parts of the curriculum. In this age computer sciences should be a normal part of that. We don't teach kids to write so that they will become literary geniuses, we don't teach them biology so they'll cure cancer. We teach them a basic understanding upon which they can either build, or at the very least use it to have better grasp on the world around them. Just like mixing some chemicals in the lab, or writing a simple essay, basic coding is an exercise to help them learn. There is neither the intention nor the expectation that they will become programmers when they grow up.
First, the gap between rich and poor is a ridiculous argument for saying the "rich" should stop learning new skills. Property is one thing, we can debate that forever (as far as I'm concerned, neither capitalism nor communism nor any of their variants can yet claim victory, if ever), but knowledge? We now have to stop our children from knowing stuff in order to create a more egalitarian society? That's too insane even for my European "socialist" standards.
Second, learning all kind of basics, from math to biology to chemistry are all accepted parts of the curriculum. In this age computer sciences should be a normal part of that. We don't teach kids to write so that they will become literary geniuses, we don't teach them biology so they'll cure cancer. We teach them a basic understanding upon which they can either build, or at the very least use it to have better grasp on the world around them. Just like mixing some chemicals in the lab, or writing a simple essay, basic coding is an exercise to help them learn. There is neither the intention nor the expectation that they will become programmers when they grow up.