As someone who initially lacked a scientific background, I have come to believe that the only way for people like me to acquire scientific literacy is through the school of hard knocks – by investing in and running a business. This approach forces you to grapple with the basics of mathematics, such as addition and subtraction, and to learn many other concepts in a genuinely desperate and focused manner.
I can speak from experience, having spent four years as a commission-based salesman. This job shares many similarities with being a self-employed entrepreneur, and it has given me profound insights. In the world of business, you are constantly faced with practical problems that require a scientific approach. Be it calculating profits, understanding market trends, or even assessing the impact of environmental factors on your business, science is at the heart of it all.
This real-world application of scientific principles has been my greatest teacher. It’s one thing to learn about mathematics or physics in a classroom; it’s quite another to apply these concepts to ensure the survival and growth of your business. Every decision must be backed by data and sound reasoning, which naturally enhances your scientific acumen.
Moreover, the stakes in a business are real. Unlike academic exercises, the consequences of your decisions have a direct impact on your livelihood. This reality creates a powerful incentive to not only understand scientific concepts but to apply them wisely. You learn to trust numbers and facts over intuition, which is a cornerstone of scientific thinking.
In conclusion, entrepreneurship is more than a path to financial independence. It’s a rigorous, unforgiving classroom where the laws of science are the teachers. It demands and develops a level of scientific literacy that is hard to attain through traditional education alone. My journey as a commission-based salesman has been a testament to this unique but effective way of acquiring scientific knowledge and acumen.
Atsushi's Life in Korea 