I suspect that programming will become part of tomorrow's test of basic literacy. That programming skill could entail writing formulas into a spreadsheet, whipping up a script to process a bunch of one-off data, writing macros to automate repetitive tasks, creating digital art projects, whipping up mobile device apps, whatever.

But to have a computer and not be able to do anything beyond what can be done with already-installed programs is to be essentially crippled in your ability to use the most powerful mass-market innovation facilitator in history.