Why physicists are shy?

Pythagorean

Anti social is a bad word, since they participate productively in society, they dont actively try to destroy it. Asocial would have fit the stereotype better.

nitsuj

Because socializing in the sense* that you're speaking is at odds with the relatively easy to comprehend logics of physics/math/anything with definitive logic. The brain gets primed for that kind of reasoning.

Social science is anything but a science in the light of mathimatical sciences with experimental proofs.


To say it different, social situations are difficult to "reason", in particular those interactions that dig deep into the sub-concious; like social interactions with the (attractive) opposite sex.

That is why (imho) generally speaking people with strong logic/reasoning skills are not particularly skilled with social interaction, it's typicaly grey.

That being said, I don't think this cooralates closely enough to physicists/scientists to make a general comment that they are shy. Note the difference between being shy, and being social retarded <-this probably preceeds shyness).

I would say though, that people of an Asocial? personality would preffer fields such as math/sciences as opposed to say a hairdresser or comedian.

*going to a bar alone and picking up chicks

nitsuj

Ah thank you, I hate being labled anti-social for that exact reason. Stupid people (a joke)

azbowler32

Im 16 years old and see myself becoming a theoretical physicist professor in the near future.

Anyway, I think that most physicist, especially the theoretical kind, seem shy is because they are always pondering the questions of the unsustainable. They think of things that the average person thinks about all the time but just in a more elaborative way.

It's just what we do!

Casco

To your first question, yes I am just guessing and not based in real data done in a study of this. I think is just a consequense of some of my experiences at my campus.

I think that I interact directly with 20 or 25 physicists everyday and those include students and professors. From there I conclude what I say and there is the possibility that I haven't seen a enough amount of samples o conclude this. I said at the beggining of the thread, if anybody knew about a serious study about this topic I would like to have the reference. So yes, I am just guessing.

Nothing, it is just a different point of view

Casco

My intention it is not to stereotype anyone.

Casco

Yes, I think that the words that I used are too strong, but I think that people got the idea.

Casco

This is what I thought when I was writing this thread, I just wanted to see if I am the only one with this thought . Thanks

Pkruse

I've worked with very intelligent people my whole life, most of them engineers but many of them physicists. I've seen no evidence to support your claim that they are in any way socially inept. But as all other people, they prefer to spend their time around people similar to themselves who understand what they find interesting, so they tend to socialize with other very intelligent people and prefer to avoid other types. Perhaps you have observed these same people from the perspective of the other type.

nitsuj

No problem, thanks for the food for thought.

To ZapperZ's point, we're not the only ones clearly. It's all over media, contrary to ZapperZ's point, nerds & geeks are not imaginary or emulated from tv, it's the other way around...logically. From the inside looking out perhaps.

nitsuj

I'll go ahead and say it. Stupid people have an interest in pop culture (including "pop" social venues); smart people have no interest pop culture. Generally speaking .

Perhaps high IQ & being pop cultured is an inverse relationship. Generally speaking , & highly unlikely.

Casco

I've never said socially inept



and yes, maybe I am in the other type, because I don't like to socialize only with very intelligent people.

SHISHKABOB

I'm not good at talking to people but I think I'd be that way even if I wasn't studying physics.

ZapperZ

Contrary to what point?

Nerds and geeks, as you call it, are NOT exclusive only to physics. The media also depicts computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, etc...etc. as those.

But since when what the media depicts is accurate? And what does this have anything to do with anything in this thread?

Back to the original post. If this is simply a guess and is not based on anything concrete, then aren't we discussing the properties of a unicorn? It doesn't exist, you say? Ah, but it is depicted in the movies and on TV! So we're not the only one!

Zz.

nitsuj

Zapper of course we are speaking generally, so moving on from there you said

"For example, how many and how often do you encounter actual physicists, rather than just what you see depicted in the media?"

I never said nerds & geeks are exclusive to physics. I'm a geek and work in accounting.

You're suggesting what is depicted in the media is inaccurate, it's not (stay within context). Unless you are also suggesting that every scientist depicted on TV has poor social skills, which of course isn't the case.

You brought media into this thread Zapper, I thought is was inaccurate the way you used it to suggest the OP would be wrong to base a stereo type from what they see on TV. Stereo types shown on TV generaly speaking are not inaccurate. In fact it's damn near proof, in particular if the stereo type depicted is popular like Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons.

Note as well it's about hummor, so easy on offence.



"If this is simply a guess and is not based on anything concrete, then aren't we discussing the properties of a unicorn? It doesn't exist, you say? Ah, but it is depicted in the movies and on TV! So we're not the only one!"

Zapper your posts & reasoning are typically well above par. What on earth is with that comment above? Since unicorns are not real, and are shown on screens, all that is on screen is not real? I can't even derive a valid point from that comment above.

cbetanco

Wait until you are older... At first you love talking to girls and love when they talk to you, but then later on you love it when they stop talking. They might seem to love hearing about your life now, but later they will love to tell you how to live your life... Or maybe I am just getting bitter and cynical.

Rajput9572

Actually some times people think that they don't need this world and they can live alone,This is the matter with the physicists.