Remember back in August when Stanford offered that Artificial Intelligence course online, the same course taken by students on campus where you could sign up and take it for free? Tens of thousands of people took advantage of the offer, so Stanford has expanded and improved their lineup. The new list offers computer science 101, machine learning, human computer interaction, technology entrepreneurship and many more computer and technology courses. These are very high caliber courses taught by leaders in their respective fields. Very impressive.
Many of you are already tech savvy and constantly looking for ways to expand your knowledge, though sometimes you haven’t had the opportunity or funds to take serious courses like these. Well, here’s the opportunity and no funds are necessary, though there is a price to pay, you have to do some very hard work and make no mistake, courses like machine learning are hard. You might find out you really weren’t cut out for this line of study, but if you were, it’s here and isn’t it worth knowing if you can meet the challenge?
There has been an absolute explosion of knowledge coming online that is more and more accessible to everyone. Those old excuses don’t work anymore. To quote myself:
Anyone who wants to learn, can learn. There’s no shortage of real knowledge available at low cost or no cost, all it takes is initiative and motivation. Whether it’s MIT putting all of their courses online or the Khan Academy offering thousands of free videos online, it’s all out there waiting for you, but no one can make you do it, you have to do that yourself.
People that know me personally, know how passionate I am about this sort of thing. Every time I hear someone say they were unlucky, didn’t have the opportunities some other people had, didn’t have the money for school, don’t have the time, don’t know where to look and on and on, I stop them and start pointing out what they can do right now if they want to. Those “unlucky” people work really hard on their excuses and not very hard on overcoming the obstacles they imagine exist. Obstacles are in your mind, opportunities to learn and get ahead are everywhere.
These Stanford courses are just one more example, but if you’re looking, you’ll see many more every day. Be a learner, be a builder, be a doer. Challenge yourself. Be an example that inspires others to follow. It’s all good.
Link: Machine Learning
jaxl650 says
This material is not as immediately interesting or easy to look at as the latest chrome special from HD, or pictures of somebody’s incredible custom. But potato chips are easier to eat than vegetables. Please keep posting these materials and continuing with your can-do message.
Luis says
thanks for this.. As a young person who wasted a lot of time and energy on excuses, I see this and I’m inspired. Please keep posting any other resources like these.
Paulinator says
Yesterday, I had the honour to sit for breakfast with a man who served on-board a carrier in the Pacific theatre during WWII. Mike, a member of the greatest generation, quit high school at seventeen to sign up. He flew thirteen missions as an air-gunner / radio operator in a Hell-Diver before hostilities ended. After that he enrolled in Engineering on a G-bill…along with 50% of the other vets returning to the classroom. These guys were raised during the depression…grew up in battle…then studied and learned the skills necessary to build a super-power nation. They had drive.
The programs listed here are wonderful and available to all who want ’em. I am proud to be “self-educated” and gainfully employed in my field of choice. I have encountered many who thought that a piece of paper was a type of class distinction…the actual skills being a secondary factor. I suppose these people are the same ones purpetuating the “formal education” bubble that is churning out a generation of marginally educated / financially endentured individuals who damned well deserve the luxuries that thier grandparents fought for…and thier grandchildren will pay for.
Carlos says
Ouch! Paulinator this hurts. I thought we were making friends here. First of all, sounds like an interesting breakfast partner. Second I am one of those formally educated individuals you to which you refer. (though not in engineering) I had to work really hard to get the education I recieved, it wasn’t handed to me, and I am proud of it. Not all of us of this generation lack drive. I can understand your frustration, because what you are saying is true in some cases. But don’t blacklist us all. My grandfather had a Grade 3 education and is very much like you describe, he can build anything and he was part of that generation from the depression. My Grandfather was also the first one to tell me to get my butt into school and get an education, and when I graduated he was clapping the loudest. I think what you are referring to is more people who have an overly developed sense of entitlement, which is not necessary based on educational level. If there is a lack of respect because they are blinded by formal credentials then that really is thier problem, they have got some other personal issue going on. On the other hand, there is nothing stopping your from getting that piece of paper either, then you can really show em.
Paulinator says
Hey, didn’t mean to come off as negative. The point I wanted to make was that the “greatest generation” gained access to the education that they needed thru the GI Bill, then they got on to building a great nation. Today we have information at our finger-tips, we have on-line tutorials and full courses, community-run programs and clubs. These are resources that need to be utilized more because the real value of “post-secondary education for profit” has been called into question lately.
And on a positive note, I’ve carved out a career path while using those non-traditional resources. It’s doable.
Carlos says
You dont really come off negative, I am just giving you a hard time. I am a little jealous that you have “Happy Hour” so I gotta rib you. Yes, we are very fortunate to have so many resources available to us. I have actually used those resources in preparation for my education, in my field (psychology) you need to get straight A’s or you are done I can’t afford any screw ups, someone else will happily take my place. I find the MIT courses extremely useful to prep. And you are right about the post secondary education for profit. Those of us going through that system know its actually just a big sifter. I would compare graduate school (in psychology anyway) as akin to going through a meat grinder.
As you point out alternate forms of learning and doing do deserve more respect. I think this type of thing may be changing though, when I graduated High School in 1988 something like 98 percent of the class went on to university, and college was for losers (not a judgement, just a perception of the time). We had blinders on, just do what you are supposed to do. At my sons graduation last fall, there was a wide variety of destinations for the graduates. I hope it is a case of the pendulum swinging and hopefully its finding the middle ground because we need all types. The beauty of technology today is it does put so much at our finger tips we always have the chance to grow. I have a great uncle that 90 years old, about 10 years ago he decided to build an actual airplane in his garage and the thing actually flies. So yes, I agree the greatest generation does deserve to be looked to as an example.
Cheers Paulinator and at Happy hour tonight have one for us poor saps who are stuck making supper instead.
Paulinator says
You know, another thing that blew me away about the WWII vet that I met the other day…he’s 84 and still holds a private pilot’s liscense and current flight medical. WOW! Those are some big shoes that they wear.
Cheers!!!
Carlos says
Paulinator, on one of the archive of the radial engine, you listed your name. I don’t know if I want to admit this but I think we have met.
Paulinator says
Hmmm? You might be mistaking me for my evil twin.
Carlos says
Evil twin would be right