I am the pro­gram­ming equiv­a­lent of a home cook. The exhor­ta­tion “learn to code!” has its foun­da­tions in mar­ket value. “Learn to code” is sug­gested as a way up, a way out. “Learn to code” offers eco­nomic leverage, pro­fes­sional transformation. “Learn to code” goes on your resume. But let’s sub­sti­tute a dif­fer­ent phrase: “learn to cook.” Peo­ple don’t only learn to cook so they can become chefs. Some do! But many more peo­ple learn to cook so they can eat bet­ter, or more affordably. Because they want to carry on a tradition. Some­times they learn because they’re bored! Or even because — get this — they love spend­ing time with the per­son who’s teaching them.