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Today's famous entrepreneurs have a powerful platform. I've heard countless tales of people going into science after being inspired by the astronauts on their m

Today's famous entrepreneurs have a powerful platform. I've heard countless tales of people going into science after being inspired by the astronauts on their moonwalks. Not everyone is going to become a Zuckerberg, just like almost no one becomes an astronaut. But these entrepreneurial idols highlight that it is possible to be successful by creating value through innovation. We need more people to go into engineering and product design. Americans need it in order to stay relevant as an economy, just as the US needed scientists during the Space Race. Zuckerberg and Jobs have glamorized the concept of "geek". Maybe this glamor will attract power-seeking people who want to be a rich CEO. But more likely, it will attract a wide variety of people (maybe even minorities and women) into careers that create value for our economy.

larrys 15y ago
"I've heard countless tales of people going into science after being inspired by the astronauts on their moonwalks" Similar, I remember reading somewhere (no reference on this though) that many went into the law after watching "LA Law" in the 80's. "it will attract a wide variety of people (maybe even minorities and women) into careers that create value for our economy" On a societal level that is fine. But on an individual level maybe not as much. Any person evaluating risk has to focus on the down side not just the upside of whatever decision they make. If they are making the decision for the wrong reason that could be a problem for them. Where the "wrong reason" is thinking it is a way to get rich or extending college dorm life.