One of the biggest misconceptions regarding education is that its main purpose is to give knowledge you can immediately use.
It is not.
The best thing education can give you is the mental agility to obtain knowledge at the speed of light.
Let's unpack this idea a bit!
1/7
It is not.
The best thing education can give you is the mental agility to obtain knowledge at the speed of light.
Let's unpack this idea a bit!
1/7
Consider a course where you build a custom neural network framework with NumPy.
This is hardly usable in practice: working with a custom library is insane.
However, if you know how they are built, you only need to learn the interface to master an actual framework!
2/7
This is hardly usable in practice: working with a custom library is insane.
However, if you know how they are built, you only need to learn the interface to master an actual framework!
2/7
By understanding how the framework is built and how the underlying algorithms work, you'll be able to do much more: experiment with custom optimizers, implement your own layers, etc.
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3/7
Immediately usable knowledge gets obsolete fast.
Suppose that instead of understanding fundamentals, you only know how to use TensorFlow, but not what is inside.
A new framework comes, and you'll have to start (almost) from the beginning.
You'll always play catch-up.
4/7
Suppose that instead of understanding fundamentals, you only know how to use TensorFlow, but not what is inside.
A new framework comes, and you'll have to start (almost) from the beginning.
You'll always play catch-up.
4/7
This is true for other fields like web development.
You can learn how to use the fanciest new frameworks, but when the next one comes ten minutes later, you'll be in a hard place without solid fundamentals like HTML and JavaScript.
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You can learn how to use the fanciest new frameworks, but when the next one comes ten minutes later, you'll be in a hard place without solid fundamentals like HTML and JavaScript.
5/7
That's not to say that practical knowledge is inferior to fundamental knowledge.
Both are equally essential!
In general, there are two learning paths towards mastering a subject: top-down and bottom-up.
University is bottom-up, learning on the job is top-down.
6/7
Both are equally essential!
In general, there are two learning paths towards mastering a subject: top-down and bottom-up.
University is bottom-up, learning on the job is top-down.
6/7
No matter which one you choose, at the end of each learning path, you'll reach mastery. Don't dismiss any option.
Both have their pros and cons, and if you are at the beginning, make sure to make a conscious decision.
(Instead of following trends and influencers.)
7/7
Both have their pros and cons, and if you are at the beginning, make sure to make a conscious decision.
(Instead of following trends and influencers.)
7/7
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