[thornad]

When you are an old man, most people will use technology ubiquitously. Most of them will not understand how it is made and what makes it tick. Those who will, will be considered wizards. Your post was inspiring. Especially the title. I can relate having learned everything by myself. I also got a degree, and was asked to stay for a PhD but I declined wanting to make things happen rather than just study them. I am being called 'doctor' anyway by my clients, who are all Phds but they outsource the most difficult (as in we have no freaking idea how to wrap our head around this problem) to me. Even worked as a contractor for NASA if that means anything. It's not about the degree or what you have done. Everything we end up doing is to just prove ourselves that we can do it. The only reason you have to do your 'shit' ideas is to build up confidence and get more inspiration. When you are ready, your big idea will come to you. It is with you already but you can't see it, because you are not ready to look up that high. My feeling is that you will progress quickly. So stay in touch with that feeling of the big idea you are here to do, while learning as much as you can on your job, and work as much as you can on you side projects. They are the steps you need to climb to your big one. And know that you are carrying the big one with you. Also know that people will see that and as long as you don't claim it for yourself, will try to use it (and you) for their own purpose. So value yourself, you would not feel inspired if you did not have it in you. And post more inspiring articles :)