I consider the fiddly bits of dealing with the machine an altogether different problem domain from designing and implementing an algorithm in a high level language.

I think the common parts of programming can be taught in Perl without those low-level specific things getting in the way.

Then, when you need raw performance or to bootstrap an OS or bootstrap a development environment on an OS, you can worry about the fiddly bits, which are much like specific brush strokes or mixing paints. Most painters, after all, start with pre-mixed colors and move into mixing their own paints for the best results.