by now the penetration of technology into the interstices of human existence has become nearly complete. And the code that surrounds us is closed to public view: opaque, inescapable.

[...] You may find that, once you're released from having to understand it all, a certain fascination gets through. It can be like those times you hear someone playing the piano beautifully or a sax wailing through jazz improvisations, and the sounds ignite a longing in you, a desire to take up the difficulties, and learn how to play that music.

[...] He stares at his students for a moment and says of the million dollars, "For most of you, that would be nothing."

I considered the two nothings: the nothing expected of the online students, the million dollars that would be noting to the Stanford students, of whom everything is expected. [...]

At Stanford, the professors are there for the students, making sure they are well prepared and supported by all the resources the exclusive university can muster. Their students stand before the gateway to the summits of knowledge and riches, which is open wide for them. The gateway is otherwise well guarded. A note shown on the web page introducing the online class states clearly, understandably - but coldly - taking the web version in no way permits the students to use the facilities of the university.