We need more self-reliant educational products
When I say educational products I don’t mean a book a or a seminar — these are not self-reliant. They are instructions on how to do something but you need the extra parts in order to implement what they tell you.
In fact, maybe this is the reason psychology and self-help books are so popular. Because they are like body weight exercise where you don’t need any extra equipment, in this case you just need your mind.
The kind of products I mean are interactive tutorials and courses. Where you can actively participate and experiment. Like an interactive journey, almost like a video game. It can be both fun and educational at the same time. It is especially valuable for beginners who are new to the field.
This is really strange, because computers enable to do virtually (sic!) anything, but we use them as the narrow-focused tools or teaching aid for the tutors.
What I envision are the products that are freely available to everyone (like Khan Academy, for instance) and that combine both teaching theory and practice. There is nothing that stops us, really, except for the fact that it is need to get founded somehow.
Sal Khan created Khan Academy because he earned money with his work, which he then could spend on the project.
The way I see it there two types of ways to do it: earn a lot of money yourself or create a foundation which raises money. And even then you’d probably need some money to organise said foundation.
There is rarely any interest in creating a truly free and open products for the better of humanity because there is no monetary incentive behind it. This is why most of the stories of how some free tool backed by a foundation got its growth by struggle and despite all odds.
Because of this I want to build a great and successful commercial business, probably not even one. Simply to have the ability to bring things into this world that I truly enjoy working just because I like the idea. Without looking back and worrying if it will survive another month without fundraising.