She Doesn't Appreciate Science (Ideas?)

Astrum

My girlfriend and I have a great relationship (about as well as you can have for a LDR). There's only one (1) problem.

She doesn't seem to really care or understand WHY science is so... may I say "beautiful"? I've tried explaining it to her, she just doesn't seem to be affected like me. I'm a physics major (first year), so it hurts a bit that she doesn't seem to care about what I'm learning about. Of course she'll ask how everything is going, but other than that, we never talk about science like I wish we did.

I understand that not everyone is crazy about math, but why would anyone dislike science? It's the order of the universe, it's elegant, amazing. I love sciences. I am always reading and learning.

Do you guys have any ideas on how I can awaken her curiosity a bit?

** I didn't put this in relationship advice because I feel this is more of a general topic.

phinds

I have a LOT of sympathy for your plight, but the kind of solution you want does not exist.

You want to change her fundamental nature. Isn't going to work. You might get her to fake it but things will go downhill eventually if she does. Take her the way she is or don't take her.

Evo

Phinds is right, either accept her lack of interest or find someone else if it's that important. I would say it's more the norm that the person you choose as a BF/GF/mate doesn't know that much about what you do. If you were a welder, would your girlfriend have to know about and enjoy welding?

Astrum

*sigh*

I guess you're right. She was born into a religiously conservative society. Considering that I've helped bring her across the bridge to reason and evidence, I can't ask for much more.

Evo

With time and true excitement on your part, with no pushing or expectations, she may find a true interest in what you do.

Astrum

We'll see. I can hope, can't I?

Astronuc

It would help.


At university, I dated a girl who had a GED. I was starting to think seriously about her until she responded with "Who?" when I made a comment about Einstein. I then mentioned special relativity and the famous E = mc². She had no idea. At that point, I realized a closer relationship would be problematic, and if we ever got married, she would have no idea about my work, and it would be difficult to share it with her. We remained friends, and I cared about her a lot. It wasn't so important that she would understand relativity or physics, but it was problematic for me that she had essentially no knowledge of even some simple matters in science. There were some other issues as well.

Evo

If I had to select men by those that understood what I did at work, I'd never have dated.

Astrum

Well, thankfully, I'm not in such a situation. she understands basic science. She's most certainly not stupid. She likes evolutionary biology and the like. So, it's nice to be able to talk to her about this, but that's as far as it goes. She also knows basic physics (HS stuff).

I'm a bit curious about the GED comment. So, GED = stupid?

and by the way, I've know people who didn't know who Einstein was. It was a sad day.

Evo

Apparently some people make a distinction. No, it means that they didn't give up and tried to better themselves.

Astronuc

No, not at all. She came from a really bad situation - father unknown, abusive stepdad, mother died, she ran away from home at 14. She had some smarts, and she survived a tough childhood.

I was about 21 at the time. What was important was not so important later on.

rhythm42

You have to find something that she is equally passionate for and compare. She doesn't have to understand, she just needs to relate.

I did this with my mother on multiple occasions. One time was a while ago, after failed attempts to explain why math is beautiful because it is TRULY perfect. She was explaining the beauty in a painting someone had done for her (I don't care much for paintings) and she was trying to express to me why it was beautiful.

I said "ah ha! that's how I feel for math and physics." In your case you could probably reference a certain aspect of religion.

The other day I tried to explain to her the potential for quantum computing...lost hope on that one, she just ain't wired for it.

EDIT: been a member for almost four years, first post! lol.

johnqwertyful

I don't think it's important that she appreciates science. It's important that she appreciates that YOU like science. If she doesn't get it, but she understands that it's important to you, who cares?

Femme_physics

I don't think it matters, everyone who is too obsessed with their subjects, even if it's holy physics, need to learn how to relax and every now and then. If that's the only major thing that bothers you about your GF, I say she's a keeper.

turbo

She might indeed be a keeper. Be nice and she'll be nice back. My wife has little interest in math, physics, astronomy, etc, though she loves to come out to the 'scope to look around. Some things take time, too. Just be nice.

Astrum

She's not religious anymore. But I understand what you're trying to say.

She seems to like "hands on" stuff more. I'd LOVE to take her out under the stars, if circumstances would allow. I also want to try some simple chemistry with her (nothing dangerous!).

And of course I'm nice to her. I love her. It's only a matter of sharing something that I enjoy with her. It's not a deal-breaker, but it would be a deal-maker.

Yayfordoritos

I can not wait for the day that I have that problem.