I admit, when I was first introduced to the E6B in my "ground school" class, I was intimidated. Turns out, it is not as intimidating as it looks and is very easy to use. By learning to use the E6B, I believe I really learned and understood what I was doing and had a better understanding of all the variables involved.
Just like the calculator scenario posed above, once one actually LEARNS and UNDERSTANDS the theories and can prove proficiency in using them does the electronic calculator or computer become beneficial. If you are only taught what buttons to push in order to get the desired outcome, it will be difficult to actually use in real-life scenarios.
Problem today is that those who CAN'T comprehend these concepts just claim some sort of learning disability, or cry foul, saying that it isn't FAIR that SOME "get it" and others don't, somehow forcing the curriculum to be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator (PUN INTENDED!).
Astro