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I remember at least ten years ago somebody online went around proclaiming that they finished an entire MIT CS degree in less than one year using their online co

I remember at least ten years ago somebody online went around proclaiming that they finished an entire MIT CS degree in less than one year using their online content. For some reason that whole episode reminded me of Cal Newport and I don't know why. So I searched online to find that person: https://calnewport.com/mastering-linear-algebra-in-10-days-astounding-experiments-in-ultra-learning/ https://calnewport.com/mastering-linear-algebra-in-10-days-a... So the person was actually Scott Young and that link is basically Cal Newport giving him a platform. Why would you promote content like this that is obviously bullshit?

walterbell 2y ago
Do you have a specific comment on this book review about career planning?
- zero-sharp 2y ago
  Nice, but I think a conversation about the author is totally relevant here. He's in the business of selling academic and professional "hacks" and I think that deserves a little bit of attention and, perhaps, even scrutiny.
  - walterbell 2y ago
    Fine :) Found this text in a 1-star Amazon review by "Timothy H.": Please be cognizant that this is a book on career advice whose author has not been out in the work force yet. By his own admission he was "handing in the manuscript mere days before turning my attention to a new life as a professor". He is going straight from being a full time student (PhD from MIT. I am doubtless he is a brilliant academic) to being a professor. So keep that in mind. I felt that many of his ideas were not fully formed, maybe a bit amateurish. He is on the right track but unfortunately makes some flawed conclusions. He declares multiple times that following your passion is dangerous but then argues that a person's "mission" in life can be a general career guide. "Passion" and "mission" are dangerously close to synonyms. Most of the people he interviews are high-level ivy league academics like himself. Their examples are going to be difficult the rest of us peasants to relate to unfortunately. On the flip side, his focus on becoming skilled and deliberate practice is sorely needed in today's world, but "Mastery" by Robert Greene captures this idea much more thoroughly.

walterbell 2y ago

Do you have a specific comment on this book review about career planning?

zero-sharp 2y ago
Nice, but I think a conversation about the author is totally relevant here. He's in the business of selling academic and professional "hacks" and I think that deserves a little bit of attention and, perhaps, even scrutiny.
- walterbell 2y ago
  Fine :) Found this text in a 1-star Amazon review by "Timothy H.": Please be cognizant that this is a book on career advice whose author has not been out in the work force yet. By his own admission he was "handing in the manuscript mere days before turning my attention to a new life as a professor". He is going straight from being a full time student (PhD from MIT. I am doubtless he is a brilliant academic) to being a professor. So keep that in mind. I felt that many of his ideas were not fully formed, maybe a bit amateurish. He is on the right track but unfortunately makes some flawed conclusions. He declares multiple times that following your passion is dangerous but then argues that a person's "mission" in life can be a general career guide. "Passion" and "mission" are dangerously close to synonyms. Most of the people he interviews are high-level ivy league academics like himself. Their examples are going to be difficult the rest of us peasants to relate to unfortunately. On the flip side, his focus on becoming skilled and deliberate practice is sorely needed in today's world, but "Mastery" by Robert Greene captures this idea much more thoroughly.