Brilliant

I really do want to tell the whole world about this website! Not only can you learn a number of topics to an advanced level in science, engineering, technology and math, but many large influential commercial organizations prospect for talent here.

This website can teach you a number of different STEM subjects using proven teaching techniques. It is a pay website costing over US$100 per year but don't think that you're paying to not have to put effort in. Subjects include algebra, calculus, celestial mechanics, astronomy, logic, probability, and way too many more for me to list off here. The website promises many more to come.

Subjects are divided up into units, which are further divided into bite-sized lessons not much longer than the height of the average person's screen. Users have the opportunity to answer the question of the exercise each lesson is based on and then if they wish view solutions proposed by the learning community.

Again, these are NSF-supported pedagogical methods. This is the delivery of educational services with heretofore unprecedented efficiency.

Before you move onto the next thing in this short-attention-span-theater world we live in, check out the Wikipedia article for 'Brilliant.org' and look at the big name sources cited. Also, be sure to look up founder Sue Khim's TEDxUChicago speech where she talks about the aptitude discovery part of Brilliant.org's mission.

I joined up because I want to learn calculus. I am the computer programmer with better language skills than math skills. I am also amazed at what can be done by math with those who have an advanced understanding of it. I realize in order to be able to do some of the cooler things that can be done with programming I will need to know enough about math to understand calculus.

When I read code rundowns of algorithms that involve high math I quickly get lost in an assault of mathematical jargon that might as well be Klingon. I want to be able to understand it. Some have compared the abilities of computer programmers to that of sorcerers. As someone who can't dig ditches I strive for some semblance of tangibility in my productivity. I think a firm grasp of advanced math would give my code that quality that graphic designers call 'pop.'

I'm convinced that if I'm capable of learning at all, this website can teach me. I got the first year on special at 20% discount. Shortly thereafter they started trying to upsell the lifetime subscription. Noticing the cost of a lifetime subscription go up a few bucks a day I soon went for it, afraid of kicking myself later if I didn't, with that old cautionary tale in mind we all heard about being close to the end and regretting what wasn't done more than what was done. So I went for it.

I tell you this because that's how much I believe in this project. I hope that not only my financial investment but quest for learning and knowledge helps to raise the bar in some little tiny way at least for everyone.