Whenever I bring up the possibility of getting an education without going to school, I quickly get objections: “Without credentials at the end, a university education is meaningless.” “You can’t learn without guidance from instructors.” “College is mostly about forming a network, not passing exams.” “Self-education only works if you’re exceptionally bright or dedicated. Most […]
Can You Learn Faster Without School?
I’m nearly at the halfway point of my challenge to learn MIT’s computer science curriculum in 12 months. I decided to put together a short video explaining what my daily routine looks like, and also share some of the tactics I’ve been using to learn at a faster pace. Learning MIT at 4x the Pace […]
Just Finish It
A common staple of self-help wisdom is the advice to take action, immediately. You miss all the shots you don’t take, do it now and Nike’s famous slogan are just a few hints of this overwhelming suggestion to get started right away. There’s nothing wrong with this advice. Plenty of people waste years hesitating on […]
What Matters More, Marketing or Mastery?
Last week’s guest article on hacking the system generated a frenzy of discussion. One reader commented that this was the best guest post he had ever read. Another said it was terrible and that it detracted from the entire work of this website. I normally leave follow-up to the comments section, but this ideological rift […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.