Teen founder Erik Finman: 'I will never send my kids to school' (Wired UK)

[SoulRiser]

Source: Teen founder Erik Finman: 'I will never send my kids to school' (Wired UK)

Quote:A teenage entrepreneur who earned more than $100,000 as one of the early adopters of bitcoin and has since launched his own startup has told young innovators to "just be yourself" at WIRED 2015 Next Generation.

And don't worry if you'd just rather not go to school.

Erik Finman, 16, who is founder of Botangle, explained to attendees at London's Tobacco Dock how he switched schools several times due to bullying, over-work, or just finding himself unable to express his true personality until, eventually, he decided just not to go anymore.

"In sixth grade our teacher would search our bags and grade our notes," he explained in one example. "I wanted to be myself… It really wasn't a positive learning environment."

So he switched schools again. And again, and again, until High School -- where finally he decided to drop out.

[schoolsux]

Grading notes? What the fuck?

As is commonly instituted in schools across America, there is an invasion of privacy.

My school isn't the worst with invading privacy (bags aren't searched unless they are suspicious of something). We do have security cameras all around my school. Though our school has gone so far to ask for our Social Security numbers to be able to go into the White House on my school's D.C. trip. I may or may not do it, but I have a feeling my school could possibly use my (and others in my grade) Social Security for other purposes (maybe not the school, but employees at my school).

[Sunbourn]

(10-22-2015 09:25 AM)SchoolSux Wrote:  Grading notes? What the fuck?

As is commonly instituted in schools across America, there is an invasion of privacy.

My school isn't the worst with invading privacy (bags aren't searched unless they are suspicious of something). We do have security cameras all around my school. Though our school has gone so far to ask for our Social Security numbers to be able to go into the White House on my school's D.C. trip. I may or may not do it, but I have a feeling my school could possibly use my (and others in my grade) Social Security for other purposes (maybe not the school, but employees at my school).

If you want to go to college you have to give up your social security number there anyway. At least I did. I wouldn't be too concerned about what nefarious intent they may or may not have. Most of your school's employee's have decent paying jobs w/ benefits. How many are going to give that up just to steal some kid's social? You should go if only for the sake of having the opportunity to piss on the White House's lawn. You'll probably get tackled, but how many people can say they've pissed on the White House's lawn? It'll make a great story for the rest of your life.

[brainiac3397]

Your fear of abuse over the social security number is exaggerated. Plus statistics show most people have already had their SS number stolen. And what other purpose would your school or employees use it for? Getting a loan? Obtaining a drivers license?

Chill...its not that big an issue.

[schoolsux]

(10-24-2015 01:16 AM)brainiac3397 Wrote:  Your fear of abuse over the social security number is exaggerated. Plus statistics show most people have already had their SS number stolen. And what other purpose would your school or employees use it for? Getting a loan? Obtaining a drivers license?

Chill...its not that big an issue.

You never know. Yeah, they could use it to sign a credit card in my name (my mom had that happen to her when she was 14).

[brainiac3397]

Not sure in what sense since under 18 cant sign the contract required to obtain a credit card.

And like I said...millions have already had their SS numbers obtained. Only real defense is vigilance over your credit and stuff to catch and nip it before it gets worse, then get a new number to avoid it all together (till someone manages to steal it again). Theres literally no benefit to handicapping yourself for the inevitable (though certain precautions may knock it down, like choosing an alternative to SS since only the gubament can make it mandatory. Banks and cable may ask, but theyll also have to provide alternative if requested. In which case they want personal info and cable might ask for a deposit or for you to pay a full month or something on setup)

[Username]

(10-22-2015 09:25 AM)SchoolSux Wrote:  Ass is commonly distributed in schools across America, there is an invasion of privacy.

/chuckle

[schoolsux]

(10-22-2015 09:25 AM)SchoolSux Wrote:  Ass is commonly distributed in schools across America, there is an invasion of privacy.

/fakequote