In "River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze," author Peter Hessler reflects on the unique perspective of a man who lacked formal education. This absence of traditional schooling allowed him to think independently, without the constraints of prescribed ideas or beliefs. By not having a predetermined framework for understanding the world, he could approach it with a fresh and clear mindset.

Hessler emphasizes that the ability to think freely can sometimes be more advantageous than having an extensive formal education. This insight highlights the value of independent thought and the potential limitations that structured learning may impose on one's ability to explore ideas creatively and critically.