027 - This Story Was Too Inspiring Not to Share
This morning I was doing some research on the future of education for our upcoming Junto, when I saw this article. I thought you might also be inspired.
”Technology is a force that turns scarcity into abundance.
I often discuss how exponential technologies like AI are positively disrupting entire industries and creating more abundance for humanity as a whole.
But today, I want to talk about how technology has transformed one individual’s life for the better.
I learned about the following story at my private Abundance360 CEO Summit back in March during a conversation with Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of Khan Academy, a nonprofit that provides free world-class education online to anyone, anywhere.
He told me about a young girl in Afghanistan named Sultana who used Khan Academy ALONE to educate herself and change the course of her life.
I’ve reflected on this since our conversation and felt inspired to share it here…
Sultana’s Story
Sultana grew up in Afghanistan, and when the Taliban took over her town, they forbade all the young girls from going to school.
Khan Academy became her lifeline.
She studied everything from elementary school math to algebra and trigonometry, eventually moving on to physics, chemistry and other subjects.
All from her home, using Khan Academy’s free online lessons and courses.
Here’s how Sultana later described the experience in a 2021 article in The Economist:
“Armed with an iPad, the internet and a free education website called Khan Academy, I taught myself English. And philosophy. And math. And science. And history. I wanted to understand the world in every way possible, and my place in it. Solving math problems gave structure to the uncertain world I was living in, even if just in my head. I felt liberated when I first learned to make a graph of a linear equation. On the page, drawing a two-dimensional coordinate plane and graphing an equation, the world was in my control.”
Sultana then decided that she wanted to be a theoretical physicist in the US. So, she smuggled herself into Pakistan to take the SAT because the test wasn’t offered in Afghanistan… and she PASSED!
Soon after, she was admitted to Arizona State University, graduating with honors!
Where’s Sultana now?
She’s currently a member of the research faculty at Tufts University studying quantum computing.”
As I’ve often said, the world's most precious resource is the persistent and passionate human mind.
Even as the world changes rapidly around us, we should never forget that we are powerful beyond measure.
Our tools can help us become more—and give more. For example, Khan Academy is developing an AI that personalizes every student’s education, creating the gold standard of tutoring.
With AI and other exponential tech supporting us, we can have many more Sultanas in the future.”
Why it matters:
Paw and I know that right now, the future may feel uncertain, even discouraging, but we hope you to hold on to stories like Sultana’s. It’s more than an incredible tale of perseverance. It’s proof of what’s possible when you refuse to let obstacles define you.
You guys have so many opportunities at your fingertips. Unlike Sultana, you don’t have to fight for the right to learn or risk your safety to take a test. You have access to knowledge, mentors, and technology that can open doors to anything you dream of. The world is changing fast, and while that can feel overwhelming, it also means that new possibilities are emerging every day—possibilities you are smart enough, strong enough, and capable enough to seize.
Whatever doubts you have about the future, remember this: you are not powerless. The most important thing you can do is stay curious, keep learning, and never let fear hold you back. The world needs your unique talents, your ideas, and your heart. You have more potential than you realize—and we can’t wait to see what you do with it. We love you! - Granny & Paw
Source: This Story Was Too Inspiring Not to Share by Peter H. Dimandis (2023, May 7).
Note: See the referenced video HERE
