I'm a high school student and until recently I always thought I'd go into academia, simply because I have a low tolerance for greedy people trying to use ideas for their benefit rather than societies. But I'm beginning to see that the inside of the ivory tower isn't as perfect as the outside... So this is interesting.

"I have a low tolerance for greedy people trying to use ideas for their benefit rather than societies."

Generally the most sustainable way to benefit yourself is by benefiting society...produce a product/service people will buy (which they buy because it achieves some end at a cost they're willing to pay).

Sure, but look at what those companies will do to stay in a strong position. I know Microsoft is an extreme example but look at the damage they did in the last year: OOXML, sabotaging OLPC, FUD in general...

Especially worth reading, for motivation, is the first two events in his life (of the four that are mentioned) that spurred the creation of the book (pp 13-15).

This is a good book, and one of the easiest to find, on independent learning. But it has its problems, and there are better ones out there. I wrote short reviews of several last spring http://williambswift.blogspot.com/2009/04/books-on-self-lear...

The first link in your blog post is broken

Thanks, fixed, a space somehow snuck into the URL.

Good link, I've had this one for a while; helped keep me inspired on my own path.

Interesting. I'll certainly be reading this.