In a recent LinkedIn post, Simon Squibb critiques the conventional education system, arguing that it conditions individuals to prioritize memorization and ‘selling time’ rather than understanding how to ‘buy time’ and build true wealth. Squibb, who shared his personal experience of homelessness at 15, contends that the current educational framework is fundamentally flawed and unsustainable for the majority.
Challenging the ‘Memorization Equals Success’ Paradigm
Simon Squibb begins by questioning the underlying conditioning embedded within modern education. He suggests that the system erroneously equates memorizing facts and achieving high grades with a successful life. This, according to Squibb, is a misdirection that prevents individuals from understanding genuine pathways to prosperity.
“The present system makes you believe: Memorising and getting As = a successful life. That owning stuff will make you happy. That working hard will lead to success. None of this is true.”
Squibb asserts that his own experiences have led him to a different conclusion. He points out that significant financial gains can be achieved not by working harder, but by working smarter and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. He further highlights the diminishing value of rote memorization in the age of AI tools like ChatGPT.
The Flaw in ‘Selling Time’
A central theme in Squibb’s post is the distinction between selling time and buying time. He argues that the education system, by focusing on job acquisition and time-based employment, fails to teach individuals how to build wealth effectively.
As Simon Squibb notes, the system “teaches you to get a job and sell time. But it doesn’t teach you about money. It doesn’t teach you that you don’t get rich selling time. You get rich buying time.” This fundamental misunderstanding, he believes, is a major obstacle for many seeking financial freedom.
Rethinking Education for a New Era
Squibb expresses a desire not just to reform, but to entirely replace the current educational model. He posits that the existing system is only viable for a small percentage of the population and an alternative is desperately needed.
“The present system is only sustainable for 10% of the population. An alternative is needed.”
He emphasizes the finite and precious nature of time, contrasting it with the way it is often devalued by being taught as something to be sold rather than acquired. According to Squibb, individuals are not equipped with the knowledge to strategically buy time, a skill he considers crucial for wealth creation.
“Time is far more valuable than you’ve been told. It’s finite. You cannot be this age again. But you’ve been taught to sell it. Not buy it. And nobody taught you how.”
Ultimately, Simon Squibb’s LinkedIn post serves as a call to re-evaluate the core tenets of our educational systems and to consider alternative approaches that better prepare individuals for financial success by focusing on the strategic acquisition of time, rather than its mere exchange for income.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Simon Squibb on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 20, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →