The MIT Challenge is Complete

Summary

In this video, Scott concludes his year-long MIT Challenge, where he successfully completed MIT's 4-year Computer Science curriculum without attending classes. He shares insights into his learning journey, including mastering programming languages, working on complex projects, and studying advanced mathematics. Scott emphasizes the importance of setting specific goals, following a structured curriculum, and sharing progress publicly for accountability. Looking ahead, he plans to continue his education in computer science, particularly in artificial intelligence and web development, but first, he'll take a well-deserved vacation in Paris.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scott completed the MIT challenge: a self-imposed goal to learn MIT's four-year computer science curriculum in 12 months without attending any classes.
• 💻 Scott learned several programming languages, including Python, Java, Scheme, Assembly, and C++, and worked on various projects such as CPU design, Sudoku solver, instant messaging apps, and ray tracing applications.
• 📚 In addition to programming, Scott gained a deep understanding of mathematics, covering topics like calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, probability, and more.
• 🔍 The challenge helped Scott build fluency in the 'language' of math and science, allowing him to explore complex fields such as biology, physics, and computer science.
• 🛠 He emphasizes the importance of specific goals and missions in self-education, noting how having a clear, defined objective (like 'The MIT Challenge') helped maintain focus and motivation.
• 🎯 Scott suggests finding or building a curriculum for self-learning, as it can provide structure and reduce the overwhelming number of learning resources available online.
• 📢 Being public about his challenge, through his blog and videos, provided accountability and motivation, helping him stay committed to the process.
• 🎓 He encourages others to take on their own self-education challenges, focusing on exciting and specific goals, a structured curriculum, and public accountability.
• 🌍 Looking ahead, Scott plans to continue learning computer science, particularly in areas like Ruby on Rails for web development and artificial intelligence, a field he has only begun exploring.
• ✈️ After completing the MIT challenge, Scott plans to take a well-earned vacation to Paris to relax, speak French, and recharge.

Q & A

What was the main goal of the MIT challenge?

The main goal of the MIT challenge was to learn MIT's four-year computer science curriculum in 12 months without taking any formal classes.

What programming languages did the speaker learn during the challenge?

The speaker learned Python, Java, Scheme, Assembly, and C++ during the challenge.

Can you name some of the projects the speaker worked on during the challenge?

The speaker worked on several projects, including a complete CPU design, a Sudoku solver, an instant messaging application with both a client and server, and a ray tracing application handling glossy and matte surfaces, mirror reflections, and refraction.

Aside from programming, what other subjects did the speaker study during the MIT challenge?

The speaker studied various mathematical and computer science theory subjects, including calculus, vector calculus, differential equations, probability, Fourier analysis, number theory, linear algebra, and formal logic.

Why does the speaker believe learning mathematics is important for understanding other sciences?

The speaker believes mathematics is a universal language that helps understand complex problems and concepts in various scientific fields like biology, physics, chemistry, and psychology, even those unrelated to computer science.

What advice does the speaker give for starting a self-education challenge?

The speaker advises setting a specific and exciting mission, building or finding a structured curriculum, and being public about the challenge to stay motivated.

How did making the challenge public help the speaker stay motivated?

Being public about the challenge, through blogging and creating videos, provided accountability and made the experience feel more formal and real, similar to being in a school environment.

What did the speaker find most difficult about the MIT challenge?

One of the challenges was staying motivated during the long middle stretches of the project, where the work could sometimes be more demanding and harder to get through.

What are the speaker's plans after completing the MIT challenge?

The speaker plans to learn Ruby on Rails for web development, explore artificial intelligence further, and take a well-earned vacation in Paris.

What was the speaker's ultimate goal in doing the MIT challenge publicly?

The speaker wanted to demonstrate that it's possible to learn deeply and meaningfully without attending formal classes, inspiring others to pursue self-education.