"learn to code" as a movement, has an unfortunate name.
You're right that it has never meant the everyone literally needs to be able to write software in the programming languages du-jour.
I think the author understands this but is responding to those around him who have taken the words "learn to code" literally.
The "learn to code" movement came about around the time that Doug Rushkoff wrote "Program or be programmed". I don't blame Rushkoff as he clearly made the case for individuals taking control of their digital lives lest it be taken from them. He never meant that everybody literally needs to start programming.
You're right that it has never meant the everyone literally needs to be able to write software in the programming languages du-jour.
I think the author understands this but is responding to those around him who have taken the words "learn to code" literally.
The "learn to code" movement came about around the time that Doug Rushkoff wrote "Program or be programmed". I don't blame Rushkoff as he clearly made the case for individuals taking control of their digital lives lest it be taken from them. He never meant that everybody literally needs to start programming.