@Swampymcswamp It's been three years since I posted this clip and my autodidact life's been better every year. I definitely ditto your comment … many people with a strict formal training stay away from things they "can't do" or "aren't trained to do", which prevents learning and exploring new things. Autodidacts don't take these things too seriously and end up with more rounded (if thinner) skillsets that also better match their personalities.
I'm an autodidact and I'm sick of the slow pace education teaches students, supposedly preparing them for the outside world. If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer stick with education, if you want to be a genius, unique and pave the path for hundreds of people, drop out!!
I dropped out of secondary school in year 7 after being bullied then went to another school, having taught myself and got the highest math test score 97/99 marks, and I was always the first to finish out of my class. I then left school in year 9 because of bullying and learnt twice as much.
I went to college, got my level 2 qualifications and now I'm stuck on an A-level course not learning anything about my chosen profession, other than to pass an exam and what good is that in the real world?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Most of the people he listed as successful people who didnt go to college---it shows that they didnt go to college, theyre uneducated and frequently make asses out of themselves (Tom Cruise, Eminem, Dr Dre, etc). Getting an education is very important you cant just expect people to know important information. Do you really want more stupid people running around??
Yes, it's a little bit strange these people are mentioned. And besides, all the people listed are outliers. Very few common people get by without (at least some kind of) an education. However, other points made in the episode are a little more valid. This one I like because of its attitude: you can if you want to.
College is meant to educate people, even "stupid" people. What would be better to just let people wallow in stupidity? Thats how we end up with 8 years of Bush, stupid people vote for him!! (just an example) If people were better educated maybe the world would become a better place.
@WhiteFlowerLei76 a person's intelligence is largely due to ones ability to figure while recalling previous experiences. those experiences either happen coincidentally or are a result of curiosity. college is great for people like you who need their knowledge spoon fed but i do fine without.
if your vote for obama was a result of what you learned in college then you should ask for your money back.
@WhiteFlowerLei76 You seriously believe Eminem is stupid? There's a reason Professor of English Literature John Sutherland hailed him as a literary genius. His use of wit, wordplay, irony and satire in his prime are second to none, not forgetting his incredible ability to rhyme multi-syllables effortlessly, while using a variety of different flows over a beat. His use of the English language is unbelievable. But he's a rapper so people like you feel the need to automatically label him stupid.
@mikeytoon24 That is the stupidest thing I've read in a long time, yes he's stupid and his music appeals the millions of insercure morons in America who think looking and acting like him somehow makes them "cool" He's homophobic, sexist, and a liar. Calling someone a "faggot" and then pretending that that word has absolutely nothing to do with the GLBT community is BULLSHIT.
@WhiteFlowerLei76 Do you not understand irony or satire? The whole MMLP was a backlash against critics who had claimed he was homophobic (for one line on SSLP) and a misogynist - he took the role of the things he was being claimed to be ("I am whatever you say I am"), he did it on purpose to piss of the critics and it worked ("half the shit I say I just make it up to make you mad"). It was one of the cleverest albums ever made. Obviously, people like you don't bother to try and get it.
@WhiteFlowerLei76 Further more, he can't help who his music appeals to, can he? His prime music is clever, deep, witty, funny with doses of social commentary. If he was a rock star he'd be hailed as a genius. No-one who's stupid could write something like Rock Bottom, Lose Yourself or Brain Damage. You're being ignorant as fuck, as most people who bash Eminem (and rap in general) are.
I don't plan for a future college, and I plan to be an autodidact. I understand things so much clearer after reviewing what I need to alone. How can someone else teach me perfection when everyone learns differently?
I'm with you. I'm in IT and only went to college for the piece of paper so I could get paid what I'm worth. I learned everything college was supposed to teach me and more on my own. The problem is most people lack the selfdicipline to do this.
i hear that. too bad nobody will take me seriously without that piece of paper. now i am in school guarenteeing myself debt for the next decade just so i can get a job for 10 bucks an hour instead of 8. but at least it isnt waffle house!
Your comment implies that people who "sit in halls" to learn do so only because they wouldn't learn anything if they did not. That's absurd.
I went to a college. I earned a degree. I don't think that makes me better than an autodidact, but I'm damned sure that it doesn't make an autodidact better than me. I love learning, I worked my ass off in college, and my accomplishment isn't lessened by the fact that I didn't do it outside of the "system."
No he didn't. He wrote in this book "The Road Ahead" that technincally he was still on leave of absence. He later received an honorary doctorate from Harvard (where he studied), but he never completed his law studies.
I can't BELIEVE they didn't mention Einstein. I am a business owner who dropped out of college, and while I am not making millions, I am always learning and teaching myself new things.
Right, and these are just the famous ones. There are tons of people in the US, with no debts, and no worries like myself. And I didn't spend a day in college.
Correct. A college education is not all that valueable in the real world since you don't learn anything but theory. It's a myth that is ushed by the education system. College is just an extention of high school. You socialize and if you were smart you made the right friends and connections which pay off later on.
@FatesLady Thats because Einstein went to college idiot. He went to ETH Zurich. Also Bill Gates left because he made a crapload in computers programs.
@Damnationization How nice for you that you feel the need to call complete strangers names under the anonymity of the internet for no apparent reason. I'm sure you're very smart (since you feel the need to judge me an idiot based on two sentences) and that you're very brave to point out the deficiencies in others. Anonymously. I'm sure you'll understand if I don't break down crying.
@Damnationization Even if that were true, I fail to see how calling a stranger an idiot based on two sentences they posted two years ago makes them an idiot, nor why it falls to you, oh philanthropic one, to point it out. And FYI, I am unfortunately related to several people through marriage who have never learned ANYTHING that wasn't stuffed down their throats, nevermind self-educated to any degree. Not everyone seeks out knowledge.
Autodidactism is great for those examples, the monetarily and publicly successful ones, but what about the chronic learners? Crossword puzzle prizes and quiz shows won't sustain the rest of your life. Being a know-it-all has advantages, being a Need-to-know-it-all is a disaster.
It's unfortunate that many of his examples are of people who lived in previous eras. I agree with him on his education vs success argument, but he could have made the point with better examples.
True enough. Either that (people of previous eras) or they are artists (writers, musicians, magicians &c.). There are few exceptions, though, namely Richard Branson & Bill Gates.
And there *are* lots of contemporary Richard Bransons -- more or less successful -- out there.
No, it's not. It's true that many autodidacts are uneducated (meaning they lack a degree). However, even those who *are* educated should still continue educating themselves as autodidacts.
To quote Pirsig's famous "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance": "It's this understanding of Quality as revealed by stuckness which so often makes self-taught mechanics so superior to institute-trained men who have learned how to handle everything except a new situation."
The point is to educate yourself. You'll go far with that method.
Blackman1000ify 8 months ago
I remember when I realized I was an autodidact, It was like a key had been found and many doors were unlocked.
Swampymcswamp 10 months ago
@Swampymcswamp It's been three years since I posted this clip and my autodidact life's been better every year. I definitely ditto your comment … many people with a strict formal training stay away from things they "can't do" or "aren't trained to do", which prevents learning and exploring new things. Autodidacts don't take these things too seriously and end up with more rounded (if thinner) skillsets that also better match their personalities.
rintakumpu 10 months ago
YAY!!
Me and Bill Gates have something in common.
WERE BOTH COLLEGE DROP OUTS!!!
MarqJagger582 1 year ago
what episode that this form?
Muco808 1 year ago
@Muco808 S03E06 "College"
rintakumpu 1 year ago
@rintakumpu thanks :)
Muco808 1 year ago
Nas dropped out of school when he was in 8th grade...and now he's one of the best MC's alive(maybe even the BEST)
NearTheReviewer 2 years ago
I'm an autodidact and I'm sick of the slow pace education teaches students, supposedly preparing them for the outside world. If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer stick with education, if you want to be a genius, unique and pave the path for hundreds of people, drop out!!
cwatt279 2 years ago 4
I dropped out of secondary school in year 7 after being bullied then went to another school, having taught myself and got the highest math test score 97/99 marks, and I was always the first to finish out of my class. I then left school in year 9 because of bullying and learnt twice as much.
I went to college, got my level 2 qualifications and now I'm stuck on an A-level course not learning anything about my chosen profession, other than to pass an exam and what good is that in the real world?
cwatt279 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Most of the people he listed as successful people who didnt go to college---it shows that they didnt go to college, theyre uneducated and frequently make asses out of themselves (Tom Cruise, Eminem, Dr Dre, etc). Getting an education is very important you cant just expect people to know important information. Do you really want more stupid people running around??
WhiteFlowerLei76 2 years ago
Yes, it's a little bit strange these people are mentioned. And besides, all the people listed are outliers. Very few common people get by without (at least some kind of) an education. However, other points made in the episode are a little more valid. This one I like because of its attitude: you can if you want to.
rintakumpu 2 years ago
You don't actually believe that college makes stupid people, smarter do you?
thegreatpadaxes 2 years ago 3
College is meant to educate people, even "stupid" people. What would be better to just let people wallow in stupidity? Thats how we end up with 8 years of Bush, stupid people vote for him!! (just an example) If people were better educated maybe the world would become a better place.
WhiteFlowerLei76 2 years ago
teaching people particular skills or pursuits don't make them any more aware of what's going on around them.
You can't fix stupid. all you can do is teach them how to do more complex monkey work.
thegreatpadaxes 2 years ago 3
@WhiteFlowerLei76 a person's intelligence is largely due to ones ability to figure while recalling previous experiences. those experiences either happen coincidentally or are a result of curiosity. college is great for people like you who need their knowledge spoon fed but i do fine without.
if your vote for obama was a result of what you learned in college then you should ask for your money back.
joshuaTNE 2 years ago
@WhiteFlowerLei76 i think you missed the point. you were probably taught to do so.
joshuaTNE 2 years ago
@WhiteFlowerLei76 You seriously believe Eminem is stupid? There's a reason Professor of English Literature John Sutherland hailed him as a literary genius. His use of wit, wordplay, irony and satire in his prime are second to none, not forgetting his incredible ability to rhyme multi-syllables effortlessly, while using a variety of different flows over a beat. His use of the English language is unbelievable. But he's a rapper so people like you feel the need to automatically label him stupid.
mikeytoon24 1 year ago
@mikeytoon24 That is the stupidest thing I've read in a long time, yes he's stupid and his music appeals the millions of insercure morons in America who think looking and acting like him somehow makes them "cool" He's homophobic, sexist, and a liar. Calling someone a "faggot" and then pretending that that word has absolutely nothing to do with the GLBT community is BULLSHIT.
WhiteFlowerLei76 1 year ago
@WhiteFlowerLei76 Do you not understand irony or satire? The whole MMLP was a backlash against critics who had claimed he was homophobic (for one line on SSLP) and a misogynist - he took the role of the things he was being claimed to be ("I am whatever you say I am"), he did it on purpose to piss of the critics and it worked ("half the shit I say I just make it up to make you mad"). It was one of the cleverest albums ever made. Obviously, people like you don't bother to try and get it.
mikeytoon24 1 year ago
@WhiteFlowerLei76 Further more, he can't help who his music appeals to, can he? His prime music is clever, deep, witty, funny with doses of social commentary. If he was a rock star he'd be hailed as a genius. No-one who's stupid could write something like Rock Bottom, Lose Yourself or Brain Damage. You're being ignorant as fuck, as most people who bash Eminem (and rap in general) are.
mikeytoon24 1 year ago
Of course you need college at least in US if you want a decent job...
Unless youre bill gates
but if youre not as smart as him u cant hope to invent something magical and that u will need no college for that
ElderLordAresNecrus 2 years ago
I don't plan for a future college, and I plan to be an autodidact. I understand things so much clearer after reviewing what I need to alone. How can someone else teach me perfection when everyone learns differently?
Z4rifion 2 years ago
I'm with you. I'm in IT and only went to college for the piece of paper so I could get paid what I'm worth. I learned everything college was supposed to teach me and more on my own. The problem is most people lack the selfdicipline to do this.
searcher619 2 years ago
i hear that. too bad nobody will take me seriously without that piece of paper. now i am in school guarenteeing myself debt for the next decade just so i can get a job for 10 bucks an hour instead of 8. but at least it isnt waffle house!
SheisseFicken 2 years ago
I COMPLETELY AGREE!
NeCacaluXuxultic 2 years ago
i'm an autodidact and i'm proud of it. who needs college?
"Self teaching is the best learning method."
-Bill Gates-
superficialWounds 2 years ago
If you have to force yourself to learn by sitting in a hall, there's a good chance you have no desire to learn it.
Pumpie 2 years ago 8
hi there, it's a pleasure to meet a fellow autodidact. yeah, you're right. one has to b passionate about something to learn it effectively.
superficialWounds 2 years ago
Your comment implies that people who "sit in halls" to learn do so only because they wouldn't learn anything if they did not. That's absurd.
I went to a college. I earned a degree. I don't think that makes me better than an autodidact, but I'm damned sure that it doesn't make an autodidact better than me. I love learning, I worked my ass off in college, and my accomplishment isn't lessened by the fact that I didn't do it outside of the "system."
billflan111 2 years ago 3
Well they are because they learn what you did on their own w/o going into heavy debt.
searcher619 2 years ago
No he didn't. Bill gates company was doing so well that when he dropped out because of no point to continue.
germanviking86 2 years ago
bill gates went back and finished up college though
masterpiggy5 3 years ago
No he didn't. He wrote in this book "The Road Ahead" that technincally he was still on leave of absence. He later received an honorary doctorate from Harvard (where he studied), but he never completed his law studies.
Klopfer666 3 years ago
I can't BELIEVE they didn't mention Einstein. I am a business owner who dropped out of college, and while I am not making millions, I am always learning and teaching myself new things.
FatesLady 3 years ago 8
Right, and these are just the famous ones. There are tons of people in the US, with no debts, and no worries like myself. And I didn't spend a day in college.
mortson978 3 years ago 3
Correct. A college education is not all that valueable in the real world since you don't learn anything but theory. It's a myth that is ushed by the education system. College is just an extention of high school. You socialize and if you were smart you made the right friends and connections which pay off later on.
searcher619 2 years ago
@FatesLady Thats because Einstein went to college idiot. He went to ETH Zurich. Also Bill Gates left because he made a crapload in computers programs.
Damnationization 10 months ago
@Damnationization How nice for you that you feel the need to call complete strangers names under the anonymity of the internet for no apparent reason. I'm sure you're very smart (since you feel the need to judge me an idiot based on two sentences) and that you're very brave to point out the deficiencies in others. Anonymously. I'm sure you'll understand if I don't break down crying.
FatesLady 10 months ago
@FatesLady Everybody has some form of self education. Somtimes pointing out our flaws helps us to better ourselves. Even if the person is an a#$. :)
Damnationization 10 months ago
@Damnationization Even if that were true, I fail to see how calling a stranger an idiot based on two sentences they posted two years ago makes them an idiot, nor why it falls to you, oh philanthropic one, to point it out. And FYI, I am unfortunately related to several people through marriage who have never learned ANYTHING that wasn't stuffed down their throats, nevermind self-educated to any degree. Not everyone seeks out knowledge.
FatesLady 10 months ago
@FatesLady
Einstein never dropped out, That's a myth.
victorisincamalot1 2 months ago
i love how the word breaks up
auto-did-act
pmq123 3 years ago 2
Autodidactism is great for those examples, the monetarily and publicly successful ones, but what about the chronic learners? Crossword puzzle prizes and quiz shows won't sustain the rest of your life. Being a know-it-all has advantages, being a Need-to-know-it-all is a disaster.
filmmonk 3 years ago
It's unfortunate that many of his examples are of people who lived in previous eras. I agree with him on his education vs success argument, but he could have made the point with better examples.
jrocinsane 3 years ago 2
True enough. Either that (people of previous eras) or they are artists (writers, musicians, magicians &c.). There are few exceptions, though, namely Richard Branson & Bill Gates.
And there *are* lots of contemporary Richard Bransons -- more or less successful -- out there.
rintakumpu 3 years ago
autodidact, n., a self-taught person [From Greek "autodidaktos"; self-taught].
Gwaithmir 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
"Autodidact" is a euphemism for uneducated.
jrocinsane 3 years ago
it is... but Penn's point is "autodidact" could also mean successful
scarfacehel9 3 years ago 3
No, it's not. It's true that many autodidacts are uneducated (meaning they lack a degree). However, even those who *are* educated should still continue educating themselves as autodidacts.
To quote Pirsig's famous "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance": "It's this understanding of Quality as revealed by stuckness which so often makes self-taught mechanics so superior to institute-trained men who have learned how to handle everything except a new situation."
rintakumpu 3 years ago