I’ve lost count of how many people are surprised when they find out I haven’t completed formal education. Some are pleasantly surprised, while others doubt the depth and validity of my knowledge.

This happens because people fail to realize the impact the internet has had on society. Formal education used to be the sole source of quality knowledge, but that’s no longer the case.

The internet is now widely available, even in poorer countries like the one I grew up in. Unfortunately, institutions and society as a whole have yet to fully understand and capitalize on this revolution. Access to knowledge has been democratized, but many people are still set up to fail. Standardized tests, homework, and other imposed structures are expected to facilitate learning, but they often fail to take into account individual learning styles and preferences. Even within well-renowned educational institutions, students’ fates are often determined by the professors they are assigned to.

These institutions often forget the power of incentives. People are less likely to do something well if they don’t find the process enjoyable. How many institutions actually survey their students to determine how many are enjoying the learning process?

Learning something new is tricky. It requires vulnerability, as you must first admit that you don’t know something. Unfortunately, most work and educational settings are competitive, which can make this vulnerability feel even more daunting.

However, learning can also be enjoyable. It’s this joy that has motivated me to keep my knowledge and skills up-to-date in one of the fastest-evolving fields of human knowledge. I’m no genius; I’ve simply learned to love learning.

For a better society, we need to inspire this kind of passion for learning in as many people as possible.