>>18
One example of many, and my point stands. Anybody who doubts is free to look at any random section of SICP.

I rather suspect most people starting to play with languages do not give a hoot about random things like the Fermat test. They're having fun, and the math is a boring chore that's quite besides the point; things like bouncing sprites is more like it. If you like math, good for you, but most people appear to need something a bit more concrete than shoveling numbers around for no apparent purpose.

I believe math pedagogy is one of the worst out there, which is why so many people falsely believe it's dull. Ask yourself why so many people manage to (re)teach themselves linear algebra when they discover they need them for pretty pictures.

We really don't need that kind of inept teaching creeping into other disciplines. SICP is not a good beginner book.