I encountered a silly epiphany this morning: every single thing we know was taught to us. All knowledge that any one of us possesses relies on a foundation built by those before. When we learn how to count and read, when we learn the known properties of the universe or the theories of economics, we are being taught by someone else. This transfer of knowledge and information is what makes the human species utterly unique. No other plant or animal can teach so effectively and efficiently. Without teaching, we would still be in caves huddled around primitive fires.

And in many circumstances, it is a parent or guardian that instills these skills and values in a child. A mother or father frames our understanding of the world upon birth. I’m lucky to have a father who taught me my most important lessons: math isn’t scary but a puzzle to figure out, hard work matters and yields success, and humans are one race. Thanks Dad.