Tag: education

Hacking Startups, A Declaration of Institutional Independence

The Declaration of Institutional Independence

It has become necessary to lay the foundation for an additional type of higher education. While modern universities have concentrated on the underlying vision of increasing their prestige, an emerging alternative education is motivated purely by the success of the startups/individuals it supports. Colleges historically boosted their brand by having alumnus go on to become well known leaders, executives, and elite employees. Graduate degrees have been a key qualification for many professions.  But these degrees are quickly losing their luster in a global economy where skilled workers often learn during internships and their first years on the job. Add to this the evidential conclusion that degree programs are lacking for those wishing to found companies. (more…)

Motivation is a 1000 Times More Effective than Training or Talent

Motivation

Find Work You Love, Anything Else Will Be Less Than Your Best

As students we go through several levels of education, from elementary to middle to high school.  We are exposed to diverse subjects and a wealth of material to learn.  For those that go on to college, additional materials introduced include advanced

  • mathematics
  • engineering/programming
  • sciences
  • history/culture
  • detailed studies of different views (art, philosophy)

For the greater part of our early lives we are given problems and expected to solve or answer them with a “correct” answer.  We are conditioned to expect increasingly complicated questions that have a known solution, and to use existing methodologies to solve those problems.

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Do you have a spaceship I could borrow?

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(for a podcast of Eli Sacks and myself chatting about this topic see crapchat)

My brother Ron (the handsome fellow in the suit on the right) is going to turn 40 years old on the ides of May (the 15th).  As far as snowflakes go, he’s not just unique, but definitively the most interesting human I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  His story begins in 1969 during the age of free love and powerful social movements.  He was spawned by our mom Nanette and pop Ronald H. in Texas.  The family moved back up north before I came along five years later.  Unfortunately the ancient prehistory before my entry into the world was shrouded in mystery along with some dusty photos, it’s rumored my parents have vague knowledge of those times. (more…)

Navigators To Truth

FractalNavigatorsToTruth

This is a story about the power both the heart and mind have in influencing others.  In this case, the one influenced is me.  We rely on the most generous of souls to help us find our way.

It all begins with a short email I receive from a friend of mine back in early December 2008.  I had just began my leave of absence from my full time work (systems engineer of 13years).  Aakin has been one of my “brother like” friends for many years and a personal guru of unconventional forms (rpg games, iced coffee runs, and conversational walks).  Aakin mentioned that Seth Godin was giving a 6 month business program.  He was offering an abbreviated yet unique MBA experience not too far from my home (Port Jefferson Station, NY).  After looking Seth up my first instinct was that he was a marketing hype slickster who was about to get some free labor out of super dedicated/enthusiastic people.  It was also just a couple of days before the deadline and I had no idea how to proceed even if I was interested. (more…)

Free eBooks for School

With the times being tougher many of us are going back to school, as well as the young folks that are going to college for the first time.  I was recently reminiscing about dollar veggie burgers and cheap living.  I'm on a self started "leave without pay" and tightening the belt (I wish, put on a few pounds). 

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