The a16z Show · Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Amjad Masad references Steve Jobs' approach to college, where he audited classes outside his major, like calligraphy, as an ideal model for higher education. Masad argues that this 'meandering' and exploration of diverse subjects, even without immediate practical application, can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and life-changing discoveries.
“And so the way Steve Jobs approached college, I think it's the ideal experience of college where his like he went to read college but couldn't afford it so he dropped out but kept dropping into different classes.”
“One of them was calligraphy.”
“And so this meandering that I think modern society thinks is sort of useless, I think it's actually the most useful in college.”