Textbooks Today

This Seth Godin’s post really explains my stand towards “proper education” as defined by 99% of the world.

Frankly, that is exactly what I felt about the books I had to buy when I was still in an academic institution. Those books were originally sitting in my bookshelf (and yes, I was stupid enough to buy each and every textbook my lecturers recommended as the primary textbook), but over a year ago, I took them out to make space for the thinner books that teach me more.

You know what? Those books have been lying there in the carton boxes for a whole year, and I’ve not even touched them. At all. That shows how useful and practical these books are in real life.

And its crazy. I see friends working hard at their jobs in the day, and furthering their education at night, slogging over assignments and rushing for project deadlines… Its a MAD paper chase.

Its a sad thing that papers are what our society recognizes and rewards.

If I were to choose again, I’d use the time and money trying more (and failing more if necessary) in real businesses. In that two and a half years I’d have learnt more stuff, learnt more practical stuff, and met more people.