I think that's a fair point, but the issue is that most people stop with the application and don't pick up on the underlying math. So, we get articles[1] discussing the lack of data science talent that point to a lack of math as the reason.
It wouldn't bother me so much if I could test my model and get a score, without having to turn over the code in the event I won - of course without accepting the cash either.
As a soon to be CPA, these recent articles on Benford's Law fascinating. But it's funny that there's extreme skepticism around Moore's Law, but Benford's Law seems to get a free pass. Just like Moore's Law it's a law matched to empirical observations - meaning it works until it doesn't.
Although I can't read this because I'm not a subscriber, I can offer an anecdotal perspective.
This isn't only Reading and Writing. I'm a Teaching Assistant at one of many college that claim to be the Harvard of the Midwest, and have been for a few years now. Most students coming in are placed into the Calculus for non-scientists/engineers and few even have the algebra skills to survive. I'm constantly reviewing how to add fractions, factor equations, and the like, before I begin to help them on the issues of Calculus. Even worse, more students are enrolling in the past few years and less seem to be adequately prepared.
This is cool, I've been doing something similar w/ the combination of the google command line tools and Mac's folder actions. Although it is only one way.
Basically you designate a folder to always upload to google docs, then when you add a file you have the folder action run the google command line tool to upload the file.
[1]: http://www.businessinsider.com/statisticians-arent-the-probl...