Praise Thank you physics forums, 20 years later

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After 20 years, a user reflects on their journey with physics forums, which helped them during their initial pursuit of a physics degree. Despite life and work interruptions, they are now ready to restart their studies in physics. The user expresses gratitude for the support received from forum members, noting the value of the community in answering complex questions. They are excited to engage with the forum again, sharing their past experiences and looking forward to new inquiries. The discussion highlights the lasting impact of online educational communities.
smithpa9
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About 20 years ago, in my mid-30s (and with a BA in economics and a master's in business), I started taking night classes in physics hoping to eventually earn the science degree I'd always wanted but never pursued. I found physics forums and used it to ask questions I was unable to get answered from my textbooks or class lectures.

Unfortunately, work and life got in the way and I never got further the freshman courses. Well, here it is 20 years later. I'm in my mid-50s now, and in a position to start that effort again. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I remembered my physics forums ID and password, and even more shocked to find that my old account was still active, along with the questions I asked 20 years ago (and surely will have again in round 2) and the very generous answers from those wonderful forum members.

So now I'm looking forward to starting my journey all over again with a whole new set of questions. Thank you to all physics forum members past, present, and future, to whom I will undoubtedly be turning for wisdom again. Starting now. :-)
 
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Likes hutchphd, berkeman, dlgoff and 17 others
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Funny! IIRC, PF was barely more than a HS project back then.
 
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Love these kinds of journeys!
 
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Likes dlgoff, Astronuc and smithpa9
I have some solemn news to report. Many in the community had been wondering where the prolific @Vanadium 50 has been. V50 hasn't posted a message in nearly a year. After months of questioning, the mentor group dug in and did some investigation and we're confident V50 passed away early this year. Few members need reminding what kind of force @Vanadium 50 was for the community and physics. A mentor for 5+ years and an annual award winner seemingly every other year. He has a top 10 post count...

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