- #1
Dazed and Confused
I am an old man now of 72 who has been a continual student of just about everything except notably mathematics and chemistry. To provide a frame of reference, I received a D in Chemistry, (who would want to memorize a lot of symbols in high school--give me a break!), a C in Physics, (all I remember is that black is supposedly [since nothing is certain, right?] the absence of color), and flunked 11 of 14 mathematics exams.
I learned quite late in life that the reason the Algebra-initiated called them "equations" was that both sides were supposed to be equal, (for what reason only a mythical higher being might speculate.) Oh, and I also learned that Mathematics was necessary, though I never learned exactly how or why; and more importantly, the degree to which most of us on Earth would be disadvantaged by the very failure to know.
I studied for three Master's degrees and received one in History, because I refused to do student teaching for the M.A. in Social Science Teaching, and because I concluded that after studying supposedly advanced Business Administration, it was a farce to call it an academic subject.
Anyway, the teachers in my classical high school, (yes, we studied Latin), passed me because I was tested with a high IQ. I have always been pessimistic and learned by middle age to be cynical as well. I live in Florida, (miss New England terribly), and am retired, (and I never thought "work" worthwhile except as a means of survival.) I think "A Prayer for Own Meany" is a marvelous book and often think about "Treasure Island" with affection. I try to protect my small mound of moral high ground in a society devolving at rapid speed. There, you now have a grasp of whom I think I am, though as a caution we must remember that no one sees themselves as others do, and, perhaps worst of all the Physicists and some Philosophers say, "It is all illusion anyway."
My question, (which will follow in the next paragraph), arises from a fascination with the ideas of the new Physics of "Space Time" "Reality" is "illusion," "Consciousness" and the theories of Time. I was thrilled when I read that Time is or could be bent back like a hairpin, I think because of gravity or the absence thereof, I forget which. Anyway, I enjoy reading pedestrian online magazines which attempt to inform the general public like AEON and Scientific American; and other periodicals which include somewhat comprehensible language about the "New Physics."
I do not usually completely understand the articles because of the specialized language utilized by the writers, themselves Physicists, (or students thereof if you tend to quibble about the need to have a Ph.D. before using that designation.) I sometimes but rarely see articles by freelance journalists which try to digest recent conclusions, controversies and theories in Physics, though I greatly appreciate any opportunity to read them.
Oh, lest I forget, here is that primary question, (and it has some followups): Do you desire the general public to know what you are thinking and concluding? The reason I ask is that the overwhelming amount of information from your discipline is clearly crafted, perhaps unintentionally but I think not, to bypass the public mind and be considered only by you yourselves. As a former graduate student in several disciplines, it became clear to me at a relatively early age that all disciplines are linked, and no area of attainable knowledge is uniquely separate from other areas, nor excluded from a moral and ethical need for promulgation. In other words, why are you not promulgating your acquired knowledge except among yourselves?
Forgive me for being judgmental but I think this is selfish, (and I will bet for some the catalyst is intellectual arrogance); and most importantly, unkind to the mass of humanity. Do you not have a moral obligation to share information you discover or ideas you theorize?
A followup question is: Why when I search the local libraries, (one is on the site of a college campus and administered by enlightened staff), do I find no books addressing introductory Physics except a couple of low level college textbooks? Even those become incomprehensible after about twenty-five pages because they require specialized language and mathematical skills not possessed by the vast majority of humanity? Another followup question: Does anyone except Carlo Rovelli care?
My final followup question is this: Why does this not bother you? I find no simila discussion on Physics forums. Why are the marvelous conclusions and theories being made by Physicists hidden from public view by (albeit benign) neglect? Um, this is not healthy you know. You must integrate with the rest of humanity and be kind to us by sharing your ideas and conclusions with us. You shouldn't pawn the job off to casual self-employed "journalists" who might entice an occasional publication to include their articles.
I am dismayed that I cannot, in my quest for knowledge about, well everything, that you have perhaps unconsciously excluded such important areas of investigation from us due simply to an insistence upon demanding advanced specialized knowledge to even begin to comprehend. Come on, someone out there speak your thoughts in a manner we can comprehend.
I learned quite late in life that the reason the Algebra-initiated called them "equations" was that both sides were supposed to be equal, (for what reason only a mythical higher being might speculate.) Oh, and I also learned that Mathematics was necessary, though I never learned exactly how or why; and more importantly, the degree to which most of us on Earth would be disadvantaged by the very failure to know.
I studied for three Master's degrees and received one in History, because I refused to do student teaching for the M.A. in Social Science Teaching, and because I concluded that after studying supposedly advanced Business Administration, it was a farce to call it an academic subject.
Anyway, the teachers in my classical high school, (yes, we studied Latin), passed me because I was tested with a high IQ. I have always been pessimistic and learned by middle age to be cynical as well. I live in Florida, (miss New England terribly), and am retired, (and I never thought "work" worthwhile except as a means of survival.) I think "A Prayer for Own Meany" is a marvelous book and often think about "Treasure Island" with affection. I try to protect my small mound of moral high ground in a society devolving at rapid speed. There, you now have a grasp of whom I think I am, though as a caution we must remember that no one sees themselves as others do, and, perhaps worst of all the Physicists and some Philosophers say, "It is all illusion anyway."
My question, (which will follow in the next paragraph), arises from a fascination with the ideas of the new Physics of "Space Time" "Reality" is "illusion," "Consciousness" and the theories of Time. I was thrilled when I read that Time is or could be bent back like a hairpin, I think because of gravity or the absence thereof, I forget which. Anyway, I enjoy reading pedestrian online magazines which attempt to inform the general public like AEON and Scientific American; and other periodicals which include somewhat comprehensible language about the "New Physics."
I do not usually completely understand the articles because of the specialized language utilized by the writers, themselves Physicists, (or students thereof if you tend to quibble about the need to have a Ph.D. before using that designation.) I sometimes but rarely see articles by freelance journalists which try to digest recent conclusions, controversies and theories in Physics, though I greatly appreciate any opportunity to read them.
Oh, lest I forget, here is that primary question, (and it has some followups): Do you desire the general public to know what you are thinking and concluding? The reason I ask is that the overwhelming amount of information from your discipline is clearly crafted, perhaps unintentionally but I think not, to bypass the public mind and be considered only by you yourselves. As a former graduate student in several disciplines, it became clear to me at a relatively early age that all disciplines are linked, and no area of attainable knowledge is uniquely separate from other areas, nor excluded from a moral and ethical need for promulgation. In other words, why are you not promulgating your acquired knowledge except among yourselves?
Forgive me for being judgmental but I think this is selfish, (and I will bet for some the catalyst is intellectual arrogance); and most importantly, unkind to the mass of humanity. Do you not have a moral obligation to share information you discover or ideas you theorize?
A followup question is: Why when I search the local libraries, (one is on the site of a college campus and administered by enlightened staff), do I find no books addressing introductory Physics except a couple of low level college textbooks? Even those become incomprehensible after about twenty-five pages because they require specialized language and mathematical skills not possessed by the vast majority of humanity? Another followup question: Does anyone except Carlo Rovelli care?
My final followup question is this: Why does this not bother you? I find no simila discussion on Physics forums. Why are the marvelous conclusions and theories being made by Physicists hidden from public view by (albeit benign) neglect? Um, this is not healthy you know. You must integrate with the rest of humanity and be kind to us by sharing your ideas and conclusions with us. You shouldn't pawn the job off to casual self-employed "journalists" who might entice an occasional publication to include their articles.
I am dismayed that I cannot, in my quest for knowledge about, well everything, that you have perhaps unconsciously excluded such important areas of investigation from us due simply to an insistence upon demanding advanced specialized knowledge to even begin to comprehend. Come on, someone out there speak your thoughts in a manner we can comprehend.
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