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The question

What counsel would you give your twenty-year-old self — and what should they ignore?
Marvin Minsky

Cognitive scientist; co-founder of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
So any student who wants to get into psychology, right now the students are like lemmings. They say, “Well, it’s popular to study brain science, I’ll do that.” Or, “It’s popular to do neural networks; I see 30,000 people doing it, it must be good.” And my advice is if a lot of people are doing it, don’t waste your time.

Academy of Achievement interview, 4 May 2001 source ↗

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Denton Cooley Cardiothoracic surgeon; founder of the Texas Heart Institute
You have to be intelligent, and be able to cope with stress. It is a stressful life, both mentally and physically. Those are the qualities to succeed as a surgeon.
Recorded Academy of Achievement recorded interview, American Academy of Achievement, 11 April 1991 source ↗
Wole Soyinka Playwright, poet and novelist; Nobel laureate in Literature, 1986
I just say, “Follow your instincts.” Don’t feel you have to follow the paths of others, because you may not be temperamentally fitted for it. And so you’ll just harm yourself and your cause and others. But just follow your instinct, and don’t ever pretend to be what you’re not.
Recorded Academy of Achievement interview, 3 July 2009 source ↗
Tim Cook Chief executive of Apple
Fearlessness means taking the first step, even if you don't know where it will take you. It means being driven by a higher purpose rather than by applause.”
Recorded Duke University Commencement, Duke Today, 13 May 2018 source ↗
Richard Ford Novelist and short-story writer
Marry somebody you love and who thinks you being a writer’s a good idea.
Recorded The Guardian Review, 20 February 2010 source ↗

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