From: myfirstmillionpod
Introduction
Jack Smith, an entrepreneur known for selling his company Vungle for $800 million at 29, is also recognized for his interesting and unconventional life choices [00:00:49]. He has a philosophy that includes questioning norms and avoiding being told what to do [01:05:31]. This mindset extends to his views on education, leading him to explore and advocate for alternative educational models like unschooling for his own child [01:15:14].
What is Unschooling?
Unschooling is an educational philosophy where there is no set curriculum [01:17:09]. Instead, the child learns whatever they want to learn, focusing on what is useful or interesting to them [01:17:12]. This contrasts with traditional homeschooling, which often tries to replicate the standard school curriculum, including tests and subjects like math and science [01:17:00]. Jack believes that exams and rigid structures can “ruin the fun and curiosity of learning skills” [01:19:46].
Case Studies and Examples
Jack references a book called “Don’t Tell Me I Can’t,” written by a 14-year-old boy who was unschooled from a young age [01:15:28].
- Early Self-Sufficiency: From around five to seven years old, this child was repairing his family’s car [01:17:21].
- Entrepreneurial Endeavors: He started his own business by buying a small piece of land, raising animals, and selling produce locally [01:17:28]. Later, he bought a rundown house, repaired it, and flipped it [01:17:48]. By age 13, he managed hundreds of acres of land [01:18:12].
- Practical Learning: While his friends complained about learning irrelevant facts like the names of planets in alphabetical order [01:18:21], he was learning about pass-through LLCs and C Corps for tax deductions [01:18:40]. He even loaned money to his parents and bought their car to help them out [01:19:03].
- Billionaire’s Approach: Jack notes that figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have created their own schools for their children, suggesting that even billionaires believe the traditional school system is “f***ed up” [01:20:34].
The Role of Curiosity and Practical Learning
The unschooling philosophy emphasizes that learning occurs when there’s a need to acquire a skill [01:20:06]. For example, the boy in the book learned math not from abstract theorems but because he needed it to do his taxes [01:20:10].
Jack envisions an educational environment where kids pick topics they are interested in [01:21:39]. He suggests inviting experts, like a friend skilled in copywriting, to give lessons to the class [01:21:44]. He believes many professionals would be willing to teach a curious 10-year-old who shows initiative [01:21:54].
Another alternative model is “Forest School,” which is essentially playing all day in a forest, engaging with nature and practical activities like making mud pies or orange juice from picked oranges [01:21:03]. Jack’s sister runs a similar school called “Nature Kids,” where children are outside, learning about things that interest them as they explore trails [01:22:19]. These children often have more energy than those in traditional schools [01:22:46]. This approach encourages self-driven learning and avoids associating learning with boredom or being forced [01:23:04].
Challenges and Considerations
While acknowledging the benefits, Jack and the hosts discuss potential challenges:
- Lack of Drive: What if a child isn’t naturally self-driven or curious enough to pursue knowledge like flipping houses or understanding complex financial structures? [01:23:26]
- Professional Credentials: How would unschooling prepare a child for professions requiring specific credentials, like a doctor or lawyer? [01:24:00] Jack suggests that one might need to hire tutors or accelerate learning in such cases [01:25:45].
- Societal Norms: Jack’s decision to name his daughter “Baby” for the first 12 months to get to know her before choosing a permanent name, a deviation from the requirement to name a baby before leaving the hospital, highlights his rejection of societal norms [01:05:41]. He even had a “naming ceremony” where the baby picked her own name by crawling towards different options [01:09:01]. This approach aims to give his daughter an interesting fact about herself and foster a unique identity [01:09:25].
Jack’s Personal Approach to Parenting and Education
Jack doesn’t plan to send his daughter to school or college, believing that universities may not exist in their current form in 20 years [01:15:14]. He plans to create his own educational environment for his daughter, potentially starting with a version of “Forest School” adapted for older children [01:21:19]. His goal is to ensure she has fun while learning and to foster her natural curiosity [01:19:54].
He highlights the importance of asking “why” and questioning established norms, as he did with the baby naming convention [01:05:58]. This approach to life allows for the discovery of alternative methods that can be more beneficial or align better with personal values [01:06:08]. The shift in education, particularly with the advent of AI, opens up new possibilities for learning and credentialing [02:59:58].