In the political social media sphere, the phrase “learn to code” has become one of the worst dogwhistles and has actually been banned by Twitter because it is just so abusive.

But that’s only because people on the right are using the phrase.

Back when Obama was president and he was literally pointing to miners while telling everyone who had lost their jobs to learn to code, it was totally OK.

It was in a document entitled “On the Strength and Resilience of Rural America,” which a guy from Chicago knows a lot about.







In this paragraph he specifically points to coal miners who are instead learning to code:

Not offensive at all.

When liberals do it anyway. When right-wingers do it, this happens:

Zoe Beery at Study Hall asked me why “Learn To Code” is such an effective meme for both the far-right and regular conservative media.



It’s a perfect memetic storm: an ingenious cover story of highlighting journalistic softness with Learn To Code, then expected cruelty underneath pic.twitter.com/DNf4XfC6IP — Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) January 29, 2019

She also asked me why nobody else is writing about it or writing explainers in mainstream circles, despite its 2016-esque pervasiveness this weekend.



My guess is fear? You invite the cover story (learn to code!) plus the underlying point of it (death threats) if you do. — Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) January 29, 2019

Man they’re sensitive.