Let's just say that change is not instantaneous. But certain events can
alter one's course sufficiently that at some later time they can look back
and realize that they've ended up in a very different place than they might
have otherwise. The "test" opened his mind to the possibility that following
instructions might actually be easier than plunging head-long and half-assed
into something that might be a great big waste of time and effort.

So 9 years later he scored a 5 of 5 on both his AP Calculus and AP Computer
Science exams (the latter of which was a self-taught course) and got himself
into Carnegie Mellon (Chemical Engineering) where he seems to be doing OK.
That would have required him to follow directions.

But he has probably also become more proficient at figuring out which
directions he really needs to follow and which he can afford to blow off.

Mike E.

---------- Original Message -----------
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 15:23:19 EDT
Subject: Re: Edison at Dartmouth

> Mike,
>
> Good story.
>
> Does he now, or did he subsequently, follow directions?
>
> Ralph
------- End of Original Message -------

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