Why education?

This question about the necessity of systematic education popped up many times in my life. A typical answer was about the prospects of a better job and employment prospects in general. While that was generally true, such an answer still did not satisfy me. I felt that education gives much more than that. But what? I could not out my finger on the elusive answer.

Then I started writing books. After publishing five books on Java, I have covered almost all the related topics, at least on a basic level. That was when I have made a discovery.

I realized I started to feel much more confident in Java programming. Well, after 20+ years one should expect something like this. But I don’t think I would feel the same way without writing these books. And here the revelation enlightened my mind – about the importance of systematic education.

I have learned Java on a job. I never completed and never even started a computer science course. That was probably why I felt uncomfortable outside the area I had worked already. I noticed with Ohh and some envy how easy other programmers navigated in unfamiliar to them territory. The reason they did it was that they knew computer science basics, while I just hacked my way through the programming assignments.

Now, after covering all the basics while writing books, it seems it is not possible to give me a Java-related task that may feel overwhelming or very challenging to me. Everything is just a thin wrapper around the same basics.

This discovery helped me answer quite a few other questions as well. For example, why I cannot write fiction that describes something that violates the laws of physics? My education in physics does not allow me to do it. It just does not make sense to me. Why I cannot believe in conspiracy theories? Same reason. Why people without systematic education believe in various wild theories? Because they have gaps in their understanding of how the world works.

People without a solid education, but observant and having a good common sense, also see through the veil of the mysticism. Like Leonardo da Vinci, for example. But not everybody has his abilities. A well-organized studying under competent supervision helps to compensate it.

We all heard about the importance of a good education. But this time I understand why that is. It brings you the freedom and different – more confident and insightful – view of the world. Systematic education also builds character and ability to stay focused on long-term goals. Well, I am not pretending to have a great character, but I am definitely able to finish a big project.

Anyway, I fully appreciate that you probably know all that well. I just could not help sharing it with you. And even if you know it, it is worth reminding. If your education is in the past already, you might have children of the tender age or grandchildren, ah? Do not let them miss the chance.