I'm with you, these are fine for learning to program for fun / hobby, but they don't constitute something as solid and foundamental as a proper 3-4 of consistent learning. Also general courses have a proper role to play in one's education, so that even if you're very specialized, you have general knowledge that inevitably comes handy in some situations in life. Moreover there is a certain well-roundedness, knowledge wise, that comes from such an education.
When you're on the other side of the table, interviewing candidate, it is as if you can spot them without even looking at their resume. They have a certain profile.