James Marcus Bach is a high school dropout who becomes very successful in his life. He is invited to perform a speech to the “at risk” high school kids to explain the importance of education. During his speech, Bach talks about how important is education in one’s life, but he emphasizes that school is not the only way to get a good education. “Education is important. School is not” (pg. 1). When the teacher responds to Bach’s speech, she comments that Bach’s speech is “dangerous” to her students because it encourages students to not work hard in school and don’t care about school at all. Bach replies, “I think any of your students can do what I did – in high tech, journalism, business, art, or any number of different fields. And they have a lifetime to develop their talents” (pg. 5). Bach means that her students can possibly be somebody who will surprise her one day if they are not restraint to what they can do and do what interest them. For example, Bach finds something that is fun for him, and he learn all about it, and now he gets paid for the fun things he does with his mind (pg. 4) When people do what they like and learn about the things they want, they have motivation to learn more and try more. Bach also points out that people can actually learn from life, not just in school. In his own words, “perhaps they will accidentally educate themselves by starting a new business, building things, or doing theatre, music, or sports… They will learn and grow from anything that happens, unless they believe there is no hope” (pg. 6). Bach believes everything in life can teach you something. And what you are interested in and want to know more about it you should seek out to look for the answer. School is not the only place to attain knowledge and most likely school cannot provide the knowledge that you wish to learn about. If that is the case, school means nothing.

On the other hand, in the article about rapper/artist, Kanye West believes school is the place for higher education. West says, “It is true you can be successful without [college], but this is a hard world, a real world, and you want every advantage you can have” (Para.3). He thinks college can provide people the necessary opportunity to be successful and people should grab it tight. West says, “There’s poetry classes, but why aren’t there rap curriculums?” (para. 7). Although Bach and West have different ideas about school, they do have some overlaps. Both Bach and West believe people should learn about what they like and develop from there. The interest in that field will motivate people to work harder and go deeper into it and that’s what makes people to be successful.