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Self Education vs. School

In the excerpt Secrets of a Buccaneer-Scholar, James Marcus Bach writes about his ‘away from school’ experience and how it was perceived at the high school he spoke at. He tries to be honest with the students and tells them about what he really went through. He expressed this by saying “Education is important. School is not.” (1). Bach believes that getting a piece of paper that proves that we “successfully” completed this stage is not the only way to go about earning an education. He does not agree with what schools are doing to the students. “The result is a nonsensical record from which little of value can be inferred” (13). That is how he feels about the topic of whether or not low or high grades on tests show how good or bad of a student someone is. In the eyes of Bach, education is something you gain through experience and it can be fully self taught, it does not have to be done through school.

“I felt that it was wasting my time” (2) is what he states when explaining why he left school and dropped out. It all comes down to show that it is not about what we learn in theory, memorized word that we will soon forget, but it is mostly about what we experience and go through in life that helps us educate ourselves more.

Kanye West, on the other hand, when he went to perform at the Santa Monica High School, tried to convey to the students that education and school are indeed important, and they go hand in hand together. “… this is a hard world, a real world, and you want every advantage you can have” (par. 3) was the advice he gave to the students. He believes that, if available, college is a great opportunity and way to teach students a lot of things, and living in the real world, that is something to not be taken for granted.

It is significant that both Bach and Kanye are drop out students, who ended up being successful, and although they have opposite stands on the topic, both Bach and Kanye support the fact that everyone should follow their interests and find something they are passionate about. It is not always about the high grades and the things you can memorize from a class lesson. It is mostly about finding something that will be enjoyable doing for the rest of one’s life, something one can only get better at with experience.

“A buccaneer wants status, too, but only if that status is justly earned and sustained through the quality of his work” is what the Dictionary.com states about the word, which simply means pirate on Wikipedia.

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A Passionate Dropout

In James Marcus Bach’s book, Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar, he talks about how he became a very successful person despite dropping out of high school. After the 10th grade, Bach ended up dropping out of high school. In his book, on page 3,  he shows his report card from 9th and 10th grades. He talks about how he very much loves math, and in 9th grade was able to take both geometry and trigonometry. His report card shows no grades for those classes because he took a summer calculus course at University of Vermont, so he skipped the finals. His report card also shows in 10th grade, he received a 49 in physics. He says that he loved practicing physics, and studied it at home, calculating different equations relating to spaceships. His explanation is that in school, they teach in such a way that the probability of a student failing physics is minimized. It wasn’t that he didn’t like physics, or struggled learning the course, it was just material that wasn’t interesting to him and he found useful for him to know.

The main gist is that Bach strongly believes that “Education is important. School is not.” His whole story is how he is a very intelligent person, and he self-educated himself. Even though he is a high school dropout, he went on to get a job at Apple Computer as a manager of R&D. He studied on his own and taught himself computer programming. He chooses what he wants to study, unlike school that forces you to learn what they want you to.

Bach dismisses the teacher’s comment that his speech was “dangerous” because he isn’t encouraging the students to throw away education, but rather encouraging them to learn what they want to learn in order for them to be successful in their terms. The only way his speech was “dangerous” was that it threatens the job of the teacher because without students, she has no job.

Kanye West, another successful dropout, gave a presentation many years ago about education. His speech was different from that of Bach’s such that Kanye talked about how it is necessary to stay in school and learn in order to be successful. However, both the views of Kanye and Bach overlap in the sense that it is important that you focus on what you want and you are passionate about in order to succeed.

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Successful Dropouts

School can be perceived differently. In both readings, we were able to read the views of two dropouts, on education and school.

In the excerpt, Secrets of a Buccaneer- Scholar, Bach shares his ideas about the meaning of education. He states that, education and school are not the same. Bach writes, that “school can help your education,”(page 1) but you can get an education through other ways too. He relates a story in which, he was asked by “at risk students” questions of how he was able to become so successful, without a high school degree or a college degree. He states “Education is important. School is not” (1). Bach even went as far as to say that homework was in the students’ control and that he “rarely did schoolwork that followed [him] home” (1). He believes that school is not the only place you can get an education, but you can self teach yourselves.

The teacher from the story actually called his speech “dangerous for children to hear” (1). Hearing this, he realizes that it isn’t dangerous for the students, but for the teacher. Bach’s only intention in this speech was to teach the students the difference between education and school. In eighth-grade he encountered something similar, in which his teacher basically told him he wouldn’t succeed if he didn’t graduate high school, but indeed he did and proved her wrong. He educated himself in computers. Bach moves past her comment because he knows that his views are different than others and he can’t convince everyone his views are right or wrong. Bach’s experience won’t always be the same for other students.

Like Bach, Kanye West is a dropout. However, their views on education and school are very different. Bach “[doesn’t] care about school” (2), while West “praises the value of higher education” (Moss, 1). West believes that school and education is one and it is important in real life. He realizes that not everyone can succeed like he did, which is why he thinks taking advantage of school is important. Bach didn’t consider this thought; he believed that like his experience, others could succeed without school. With this realization, West launched a contest in which the winner would receive a great sum of money for school. West later explains why he went to school and all of his answers didn’t have to do with the Math or English, but states that it was for “gym, for lunch, for art” (Moss, 7). He realized that students want to learn about things they’re interested in. West believes that, “this is part of our culture, why not use it to educate” (Moss, 7) which is why he is promoting his business  that puts music-production equipment in schools.

Though Bach and West had different views about school, they both expressed how important it was to enjoy what you’re being educated about. West rapped and worked in the music industry, while Bach taught himself about computers. They’re talented in what they do which brought them both success, however not everyone has talent which is why many need school in order to be educated and succeed in life.

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To stay on track, Educate.

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In his book Secrets of Buccaneer, James Marcus Bash conveys his ideas about education and school. In the book, Bash tells the students “Education is important. School is not.” The teacher believed that Bash’s speech was “dangerous” however, Bash dismisses her comment with an astonishing explanation of his own. According to Bash, just because a person doesn’t go to school, doesn’t mean that that person won’t get his or her education. Bash left high school because he felt that it wasn’t helping him. Although he wasn’t in school, he took another approach in education. Bash learned software engineering on his own and landed a job at Apple. Bash believes that schools brainwash students with the ideology of “schoolism” which is the belief that schooling is the necessary and exclusive way to get a good education. He disputes that idea and uses himself as an example of how school is not needed to become successful. The teacher argues that feeding the students ideas about leaving school made her job even worse. However, Bach’s point wasn’t to tell students to leave school. His point was for them have more options rather than fewer. Bach wants students to understand that school isn’t the only option and students can educate themselves and learn outside of school.

In comparison to Bach’s response, Kanye West has a different approach about 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”(Moss). According to West, many people are successful without going to college, however, it is very difficult to get back on track without school. West’ response is more realistic than Bach’s response. Although West is a college dropout, he encourages that students stay in school and work hard. He believes taking all the opportunities and creating ideas is an ideal way to achieve your goals. In the article West says “I would suggest people to do all that you can” (Moss). West takes a lot of pride in that phrase because he worked hard all his life even as a dropout, and he encourages students to do the same.

Although both Bach and West have different ideas about school, both believe that working hard is necessary to become successful. Both West and Bach had passions that motivated them to work hard. For Bach it was software engineering, and for West it was rap. It was their eager drive to succeed that kept them on track even after dropping out of school.

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Educated Drop Outs

In Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar , Bach states, “Education is important. School is not. I didn’t need school. Neither do you” (page 1). After Bach gave his speech about his perspective of the true meaning of education, one of the teachers referred to his message as “dangerous”. Bach quickly dismissed his statement because he agreed that it may be dangerous, but more so for teachers than the students. It would give the student reasons to challenge their teachers and feel less trapped in institutionalized forms of education. The teacher said that the students “weren’t as smart” as Bach and would likely return to the streets if they took such a route. Bach’s message was not that school is stupid so  just drop out.. he more so emphasized the importance of learning and acknowledged that school wasn’t the only way to do so. Many successful people have chosen alternative routes. Kanye West , for example gave a speech on his decision to drop out of college. Much like Bach, he proved that schooling wasn’t the only way to succeed. However, their views oppose in the sense that Kanye believes in exhausting all of your options before leaving school where as Bach didn’t care for institutionalized education and just knew that school was not for him. It is evident by the text that Kanye does not encourage dropping out of school in the way that Bach does. Kanye encourages people to take advantage of their opportunities, whereas Bach encourages them to make their own opportunities.
Bach refers to himself as a “buccaneer”. I am confused by his usage of this word, which is commonly used as a synonym for pirates. More specifically, (according to Wikipedia), buccaneers were the pirates who attacked Spanish shipping in the Caribbean Sea during the 17th century. Why Bach views himself as one is still not evident to me. Maybe due to the level of “danger” in his ideology?

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Pursue Your Passion

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.

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Which Path is Right for You?

In The Buccaneer Scholar, Bach dismissed the teachers comment because as he says, “It was dangerous, what I said – dangerous for her” (Bach), so in my opinion I think Bach was trying to say that these teachers were afraid that these kids will be nothing in the world without education. It was a mindset that people couldn’t be successful without going to school and getting a college degree. So I think Bach was trying to say that dropping out of school isn’t dangerous, but being forced to do what the school “requires” of you and following their curriculum can be dangerous because it can drive you away from your education. It takes away your attention from education, which according to Bach is more important than going to school.

Both West and Bach have one particular idea in common is that you can be successful even without going to college, but that road might not be as smooth as it could have been if you had chosen to go to college. West stated that, “… And when I wasn’t successful and Columbia said, ’We’ll call you,’ I had to go back and work a telemarketing job, go back to the real world” (Moss 2005: 1), this explains that even though West is a successful person today being a drop-out his road wasn’t smooth. He chose the “rough” path in his life, which was bumpy, but at the end of the day he did accomplish what he wanted and maybe that is why he’s encouraging school because he knows that path is smoother than the path he chose. So he’s promoting school because it will make people’s life easier. Bach states, “If they don’t care about education, they may be forced to work at low- skilled jobs they won’t enjoy, such as fast food or house cleaning” (Bach), showing that without school they may end up doing odd jobs, which will require hard work and that it wont be easy so maybe some may turn back to going to school one day and educate themselves because that path might will be easy.

 

 

 

 

 

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Interest and Education

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.

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School ≠ Learning but education= ∞

Bach’s speech emphasizes on how school doesn’t define oneself. He accentuates that learning doesn’t equal school and that you can learn on your own if you have the right mindset. School isn’t essential in becoming successful nevertheless, learning is. He also explains that laziness doesn’t exist and that if you are hungry, you would do anything to satisfy that hunger. Therefore, if you want to learn something, you would do whatever it takes to learn it. While Bach talks about his life experience and how education isn’t all that, the teacher seemed skeptical and didn’t like Bach’s ideology. Schools and the teachers are brainwashing the students that education=schools, so when Bach didn’t agree with this idea, the teacher told him that the speech was “dangerous” for the children. She considered it “dangerous” because she believed that what Bach said doesn’t apply to the students. Some students aren’t eager to learn and wouldn’t do the extra work to learn. Bach dismisses the teacher’s comment that his speech was “dangerous” because he was honest and used life experiences. He wasn’t just saying things. He has been through it and feels what the students feel. He understands what they are going through and why they might believe that school isn’t necessary. What Bach had to say wasn’t wrong but it wasn’t conventional and what schools have taught kids for ages. Bach and the teacher’s mentality aren’t the same. Bach thought school doesn’t help students learn but the teachers think otherwise. He believes that the school system is corrupted and all they want is tests scores to be high so the school looks good instead of actually teaching the kids about real life and what they need to know to help them succeed. School is temporary but education is forever.

 

Kanye West’s approach on school and education is different from Bach. Kanye believes that school is everything. Schools provide opportunities and resources to help one be successful. He believes that not everyone has it easy but school can help you do well. For Kanye, school is an important resource for education. Kanye is being more realistic and saying that yes you can drop out but once you do, its hard work to bring yourself up, do well and become successful. Not everyone can drop out and become successful. In order to dropout and become successful, one must have drive and do whatever it takes to be successful (extra reading, experimenting, networking, etc.) Kanye said, “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). West recommends that students should not take his approach but to stay in school to get every opportunity possible.

 

Even though West and Bach’s beliefs about school is different, there are some overlaps. The first one is that they both believe that education (in general) is the key factor in becoming successful. Another similarity is that they are both successful because they had something that excited them therefore they pushed themselves to learn more about it and do something about it. They both had a drive and passion to something that interests them and motivates them. Bach studied software engineering and became a software test manager at Apple Computer and West studied music and became a rap artist. Although they both have different career paths, they both had ambition and aspirations that pushed them to their limits.

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Education and Happiness

James Marcus Bach in Secrets of a Buccaneer Scholar briefly touches upon “happiness” in schools. “If you’re not happy, [then] leave…” Bach writes, allowing me to draw a connection with this statement of his to a TEDxTalk video I watched a few years ago. Logan LaPlante, then thirteen, explains how “hackschooling,” or simply receiving education through nontraditional means, permitted him to incorporate being happy and healthy into his education (“Hackschooling Makes Me Happy”). In his speech, he suggests basing education on the study and practice of being happy and healthy, which focuses on exercise, contribution and service, time in nature, and recreation to name only a few (“Hackschooling”). We have all come under the notion that school is equivalent to education but that is not necessarily so. Like what James Bach had said in his book, “education is so much more than school.” Logan is an ideal example and to explain this, Logan allows us to take a look at the type of education he’s been receiving. He tells us that community organizations play a big part in his education where he is often learning outside the traditional learning environment (“Hackschooling”). To learn how to survive in the wilderness, for example, he would physically be in the wilderness listening to nature and sensing his surroundings instead of being restricted to a classroom imagining hypothetical “if you were stranded on an island” scenarios (“Hackschooling”). It’d be a great experience to take a step out of the classroom and learn by looking at the world from a different perspective but to do so, one must have the courage, the confidence, the motivation, and the bit of luck Bach had to prove all the others that school isn’t a necessity to succeed.

Maybe it’s time for me to reconsider my possibilities.

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