Books about successful people often make success sound unappealing: intense STEM education, 5am starts, cold baths, and long hours. The elites of Victorian Britain operated differently. Their schools had little STEM, they got up late, drank heavily, and spent much time partying, feasting, and dressing up. Despite this, they were extremely successful: Britain was the richest country, its companies dominated global commerce, its navy ruled the oceans, and it progressed toward democracy without revolutions.
Maybe the Victorian elite succeeded in spite of being feckless, but author explores if a focus on soft skills and networking actually worked. Modern educational debates pit traditionalists (hard subjects, structure) against progressives (soft skills, freedom). Elite Victorian schools surprisingly lean progressive: they emphasized classics, sports, and social development over STEM. Eton College produced about 30 percent of cabinet ministers and 40 percent of prime ministers.
Huel, STEM, and cold baths have merits, but the Victorians show there is more than one way to rule the world.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing