WHY THE STRUCTURE?
you may ask, why is the class structured in this way? I can learn whatever, whenever as needed.
That is obviously true, but it might not be the most effective approach.
One example comes from experience: if you are trying to build a shelter for your body, you can throw all the materials into a pile: wood, concrete, glass, bricks, etc.
But, this will not be any good at protecting from cold and rain and wind, unless you organize it in the right way.
Knowledge seems similar, it is some kind of structure for your mind and seems to need to be organized for that to be possible.
WHY THE MENTORS?
You may ask, why do I need teachers? Can't I just find out about nature and hope and bullshit and vitality myself, say,like Chris Mccandless did?
Well, think about that. Is that what you want?
One example also from experience, is, if you are trying to walk in deep snow, it helps if someone already walked there. It makes it a lot easier for you.
WHY SO LONG?
This is because you are not learning facts so you can throw them in the trash after. You are learning a groove, and it takes time.
WHY THESE GUYS? ARE THEY NOT ALL CRAZY?
well, let's see, one of them went off in the woods for two years to commune with something, not sure what. One spent his time with furry little hobbits and magic rings, and the other one, was some kind of super religious homosexual dissident communist?
This is all accurate but at the same time, their philosophies have become increasingly popular after they died.
Maybe its not a coincidence. Maybe they are not crazy.