Topic: Computer Coding

Rahm Emanuel proposed a massive federal initiative to retrain displaced retail workers as computer coders within six months. The hosts dismiss this as a "big lie," arguing that the market does not require millions of new coders and recalling Emanuel's previous ties to Cisco-funded charter schools in Chicago. They suggest the "learn to code" mantra is a recurring political trope with little practical utility.

Archival clips of President Obama's push for computer science education were reviewed, emphasizing his message that "anyone can become a computer scientist." The initiative encouraged students to move beyond consuming technology to designing and programming it, framing coding skills as essential for the nation's future economic competitiveness.

President Obama and various tech leaders are promoting the "Hour of Code" initiative to encourage students to learn computer science. While presented as a way to prepare the country for the future, critics argue it is a corporate-driven effort to create a pipeline of cheap labor for Silicon Valley. The initiative is closely linked to Common Core standards and receives significant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

An article in PC Magazine argues that initiatives like Code.org are primarily designed to sell more hardware to schools rather than improve education. Critics suggest that the American curriculum is being "dumbed down" while students remain unable to perform basic geography. The focus on coding is seen as a distraction from declining test scores in science, technology, engineering, and math.