A quote:
There is one very good reason to learn programming, but it has nothing to do with preparing for high-tech careers or with making sure one is computer literate in order to avoid being cynically manipulated by the computers of the future. The real value of learning to program can only be understood if we look at learning to program as an exercise of the intellect, as a kind of moden-day Latin that we learn to sharpen our minds.
- Roger C. Schank
I've always thought that sums it rather well.
