I also have a masters in CS but I still consider myself to be “self taught” to a degree. I didn’t really learn anything in lectures or from my professors. Most of my learning came from doing homework, reading textbooks, studying for tests, exploring the material, being curious, experimenting with side projects.
I’m sure my education was more structured than a developer who didn’t go to school, but I don’t feel like there’s a huge fundamental difference.
Like if you’re only “learning” from what people teach you then how are you going to be successful in software?
I mean, I was so curious, I started coding as a kid and got a tech job right out of high school. But I quit it at 19 because it didn't answer any of my questions about life. I moved to another city, waited tables, bartended, joined a band, drove a taxi, wrote a few novels, and started making indie games on the side. Eventually, the thing I found that I was most curious about was actually the intersection of code and art, and the way those things could be made to play off each other. That was the language in which I could best express myself and do truly original things.
To be intellectually curious is a rare thing these days. It's the main deciding factor if I'm hiring someone. Or going on a date.
Idk. I think some societies prize it more highly than others. What must it have been like to live in Athens when Plato was running the Academy? What got you permitted to be there wouldn't be SAT scores or grades, it would be curiosity and flexible thinking. When things like that have enough cachet, an entire society can orient itself in that direction rather than toward conformity or repetition. [edit: See also, modern Israel].
(Funnily enough, I asked GPT-4o just now what the requirements were for joining Plato's Academy, and it said this, exactly):
The requirements for joining Plato's Academy were not formally codified, but there were some general expectations and practices:
Intellectual Curiosity: Prospective students were expected to have a strong desire to learn and engage in philosophical discussions.
Age and Background: While there were no strict age limits, most students were young men, often from affluent families, who could afford the time and resources for education.
Philosophical Training: It was beneficial for students to have some prior knowledge of philosophy or related subjects, as the discussions at the Academy were advanced and complex.
Commitment to Dialogue: Students were expected to participate actively in dialogues and debates, reflecting the Socratic method that Plato valued.
Moral Character: A commitment to ethical living and the pursuit of virtue was important, as the Academy emphasized the development of the whole person, not just intellectual capabilities.******
