I would not presume to define someone else's ideal outcome. someone wants a penthouse in NYC, another wants an offgrid homestead in the woods. the plan you've listed is for choosing a career at school, working for the qualifications, finding a job at a relevant company, buying a mcmansion in the suburbs, work the same gig for 40-odd years and retire with a gold watch and fuck all to show for your life. fine if thats all you want from life and it can be perfectly comfortable, but you'll onky ever be one disaster away from ruin. injury, health issue, whatever. to me, getting ahead means getting ahead of most people. not necessarily having more money or toys, but a more secure lifestyle and income that can withstand some ups and downs. that means doing things different, finding income streams, starting businesses, etc. sure the bitcoin book is being written, but all books are always being written. new tech changes things, ends some careers but creates new ones. AI is going to do that over the next few years and who knows where that will end up. nobody imagined where the internet would end up nack in the 90sm point is, anything is open to anyone with a bit of imagination and the balls to have a go. but if you simply follow the established system then you're relying on everyone else maintaining and agreeing it. the housing market relies on everyone following the standard career path for example, but when people decide they don't need a 4-bed, 2-bath, 2-car garage, souless shit box then everyone with their future wrapped up in it will be fucked.