James Marcus Bach expresses his ideas about school and education in his book, Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar. Bach says, “Education is important. School is not. ” (1). According to Bach, school is not necessary, but education is vital. If you feel like school isn’t helping with your education, don’t go. There are other ways and other places to educate yourself because education is way more than school. Bach promotes the idea of self educating, “If you want to prosper in life: find something that fascinates you and jump all over it. Don’t wait for someone to teach you; your enthusiasm will attract teachers to you” (2).  He is encouraging students to find something that they are “hungry” and passionate for. Bach is trying to tell us to pursue our passion and work hard. Self educating is different and may be more helpful than institutional educating for certain people. After Bach’s lecture, the teacher comments that his speech was “dangerous.” The teacher believes that the students need to stay in school. Bach disagrees and disregards what the teacher says because he doesn’t believe in schoolism. Bach tells the teacher, “Your job is not to make them huddle quietly in a corral, but to help them get out there and seek their fortunes” (6). Bach is only trying to open up a path for these special students. These special students could some day become successful.

At the Santa Monica High School concert, Kanye West promotes the idea of staying in school and the importance of higher education. Kanye says, “Life is hard. Take advantage of your opportunities” (Moss). He believes that students should stay in school and do as much as they can. Kanye also 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” (Moss). It takes a lot of work to be successful after you drop out. There will be tons of struggles along the risky path. Kanye encourages students to not walk the same path he did.

Although Bach and Kanye have different viewpoints on school, they’re some overlaps between the men. Bach and Kanye pursed their passion. Bach was interested in software engineering and Kanye was interested in music. Both of them were motivated by their passion, which led them to be successful. Bach became software test manager and Kanye became a rapper. Bach and Kanye also believe that education itself is very important and is the key to success.