I agree with the point that the author brings up but I think there is a broader point to discuss with regards to a mathematical focus in education. China, for example, is putting a large focus on applying a mathematical modeling perspective to their K-12 education, just look at the results of the MCM of the past few years. [1] I was lucky to be exposed to that frame of thinking in high school and I think it will become ever the more important in all areas, not just hacking, for people to have some sort of training in that respect.

[1] https://www.comap.com/undergraduate/contests/mcm/contests/20...