- #1
doublefelix92
- 7
- 0
How to make a discovery in Physics/How to get in the "Physics Mindset"
Dear physicsforums,
Recently I've decided to take physics much more seriously, and - although this may sound lame - want to make a major discovery in physics. Ultimately, that's my goal. Don't tell me whether it's realistic or not, I know it isn't, and I actively ignore that.
I've had a lot of free time lately, and it's given me the chance to really think about what it takes. I've been watching tons of Richard Feynman videos on youtube - which I think have helped a lot. After watching probably 40 hours of video over the last year or so, I think I have a pretty good idea about what aspects of Feynman's thinking led him to the sort of way of thinking in which he made a discovery, and why/how. I could write about that (and maybe I will later) but the subject of my post is different.
I've noticed that sometimes I'm in a specific mindset that is excellent for physics. I forget almost everything, and I care about nothing else than to figure out how everything works. It's fascinating, and figuring out things in this mood is the best thing ever. It's not only effective, it's a lot of fun.
However, the mindset doesn't come all the time. In fact, most of the time I don't have it. Most of the time, doing physics is anywhere from simply entertaining to frustrating/feels like a chore. On average it's probably towards the entertaining side, but it's not enough motivation when it's like this.
So, my question - I'm sure there are tons of people who can relate in terms of getting in a mindset in which you just want to know how everything works. And I was wondering if people have come up with factors that contribute to the likelihood of getting in this mindset in the first place.
Dear physicsforums,
Recently I've decided to take physics much more seriously, and - although this may sound lame - want to make a major discovery in physics. Ultimately, that's my goal. Don't tell me whether it's realistic or not, I know it isn't, and I actively ignore that.
I've had a lot of free time lately, and it's given me the chance to really think about what it takes. I've been watching tons of Richard Feynman videos on youtube - which I think have helped a lot. After watching probably 40 hours of video over the last year or so, I think I have a pretty good idea about what aspects of Feynman's thinking led him to the sort of way of thinking in which he made a discovery, and why/how. I could write about that (and maybe I will later) but the subject of my post is different.
I've noticed that sometimes I'm in a specific mindset that is excellent for physics. I forget almost everything, and I care about nothing else than to figure out how everything works. It's fascinating, and figuring out things in this mood is the best thing ever. It's not only effective, it's a lot of fun.
However, the mindset doesn't come all the time. In fact, most of the time I don't have it. Most of the time, doing physics is anywhere from simply entertaining to frustrating/feels like a chore. On average it's probably towards the entertaining side, but it's not enough motivation when it's like this.
So, my question - I'm sure there are tons of people who can relate in terms of getting in a mindset in which you just want to know how everything works. And I was wondering if people have come up with factors that contribute to the likelihood of getting in this mindset in the first place.