Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Khan Academy

Just spent the last 10 minutes choking up. For years and years I would never cry, not for anything, not for my children being born, not for my parents dying. Lately I find myself crying when I find somebody who is doing exactly the right things with his/her life. I say 'find myself' because I am still surprised by my own reaction.

This morning, on my porch, I am spending some time exploring the work of Sal Khan, www.khanacademy.org
When I'm 80, I want to feel that I helped give access to a world-class education to billions of students around the world. Sounds a lot better than starting a business that educates some subset of the developed world that can pay $19.95/month and eventually selling it to some text book company or something. I already have a beautiful wife, a hilarious son, two hondas and a decent house. What else does a man need?

If you believe in trying to make the best of the finite number of years we have on this planet (while not making it any worse for anyone else), think that pride and self-righteousness are the cause of most conflict and negativity, and are humbled by the vastness and mystery of the Universe, then I'm the same religion as you.


As the old world dies, the new world is being born every day. Brighter and better than anything we have ever seen. Enjoy.