"Follow your interest/passion" - is such an easy advice.
However in some societies / economies, it's simply not possible. Where I'm from (India), where a majority of my generation has to lift their families from money problems, there's no option of following passion. There's only "learn/do what makes money". It's not entirely a bad thing though.
For example people here just jump into doing something and then eventually develop a passion for it (setting up a shop, or running a business or producing/distributing boring everyday products, etc).
The other alternative is to spend precious younger years of my time in search of "passion". This happens too, but mostly from folks who already have financial freedom to explore and experiment, who are relatively scarce in some societies.
I'm surprised Paul gets upvoted so much, no matter what platitude he serves up. His writing is good for a software engineer, but doesn't hold a candle to a capable journalist or writer. Basically it feels like you're reading a documentation page about the last idea he's had in the shower.
India is essentially at the development stage matching that of XIX century Europe and the US. Back then, nobody was following passions, and everyone was just starting practical businesses and investments which will (hopefully) bring in some money. Now it's India's turn to go through that phase.
So lewisjoe, maybe one way to address this problem would be a fellowship that came with an extra stipend that would keep your family afloat? How much extra would that have to be, in India for a year, or would the required amount be far too variable to estimate?
(Also, the essay did indicate that if you're taking care of someone then his standard advice needs adjustment.)
> "Follow your interest/passion" - is such an easy advice.
> For example people here just jump into doing something and then eventually develop a passion for it (setting up a shop, or running a business or producing/distributing boring everyday products, etc).
No one said you first had to sit down, ponder hundreds of life options and then choose your passion. Passion might also come to you as you progress in whatever field you're in. Put differently, you might as well follow your natural inclinations (whatever you find somewhat interesting in the moment) or submit to life/financial constraints (choose a promising career path), and as you become better and better at what you do, develop a passion for it.
However in some societies / economies, it's simply not possible. Where I'm from (India), where a majority of my generation has to lift their families from money problems, there's no option of following passion. There's only "learn/do what makes money". It's not entirely a bad thing though.
For example people here just jump into doing something and then eventually develop a passion for it (setting up a shop, or running a business or producing/distributing boring everyday products, etc).
The other alternative is to spend precious younger years of my time in search of "passion". This happens too, but mostly from folks who already have financial freedom to explore and experiment, who are relatively scarce in some societies.