What mentality is he pointing to when he derides "The idea that every activity they undertake be “a growth experience.”"? Sounds like a damn fine idea to me.
I think he means that by framing an activity as a "growth experience", it loses a bit of it's soul. Ghandi, Lindbergh, Jobs - they all changed the world because they had a fire in their belly and couldn't sit still. They didn't pursue things because it would grow their character. They did things because they we're compelled to.
You are correct. Certain individuals have proven that with tenacity anything is possible. Still, it appears most people need structure. Structure, to give them a yardstick to measure themselves by. Stanford, or any college, give students goals. They are prepared sheep with plenty for 'growth experience.'
Oh, choosing activities on the basis of how they extend experience. Thanks, I understand now.
I don't think a world in which everyone is trying to be (or thinks they are) the next Steve Jobs would be so great.
There would be even more kids with no father in their lives.
becomes a rat race when you view life in that light, continually maximizing your life-experience-point measure for all actions taken.