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by j45 5248 days ago
It's not what your education/degree makes of you, but what you make of your education/degree.

This false belief turns out so many people who feel cheated later in life.

Perpetual self learning is the only required skill for the truly educated, or self-educating. IT especially, what we learn today is worthless in a short time.
2 comments
olliesaunders 5248 days ago
> IT especially, what we learn today is worthless in a short time.

If you learn the right stuff this is not the case. Knowledge in the areas of algorithms, data structures, code and language design seems to have a certain timelessness to it.

I’ve always considered it sub-optimal to become an expert in all the idiosyncrasies of one particular language or domain at the expense of thinking about and trying to understand the larger truths and principles of software development. Idiosyncrasies can be easily referenced; a good grasp of abstract principles takes practice.

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j45 5248 days ago
Sorry, to clarify, I was referring to specific technological skills and not the general knowledge behind it.

Being someone who only understands how to use a technology but not have the base of algorithms, structures, etc, as you alluded to is the example I was speaking to.

Thanks for bringing it up :)

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olliesaunders 5248 days ago
> I was referring to specific technological skills and not the general knowledge behind it.

Yeah, it might sound remarkable but that really is what I personally avoid bothering with, these days almost entirely. But that’s only a decision I’m able to maintain because I don’t have to make a living from software/IT nor do I work with teams. Nevertheless I reckon most people could do with spending more time thinking about the merits and drawbacks of the way they are doing things instead of learning how all the various technologies work.

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groby_b 5247 days ago
Really? And here I was just reading a paper from the '60s.

Being less snarky: It matters very much _what_ you learn. If you spend time being buzzword compliant (and to some extent, you have to), yes, that'll expire soon-ish. If you learn the underlying principles, it'll stay with you for a long time. (I'd say probably your entire career unless you're living on the cutting edge of research)

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j45 5247 days ago
I'm reading what you wrote and seeing that you agree with what I said :)
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