Fortune Cookies (in STEM fields)

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores various aphorisms and pieces of advice that participants associate with their experiences in STEM fields. The discussion includes both humorous and serious phrases that reflect common challenges and insights in scientific and engineering practices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting problem-solving by removing the most disturbing elements, indicating a strategy for simplifying complex issues.
  • Another shares a mathematical insight related to squares, proposing a mnemonic for remembering a specific algebraic identity.
  • A participant humorously notes that practical lab work can be more beneficial than extensive theoretical research, reflecting a common sentiment in academic environments.
  • One post mentions the electromagnetic spectrum, suggesting that understanding its continuum is essential, though it is framed more poetically than as a fortune cookie saying.
  • Another participant presents a succinct trade-off statement regarding time, cost, and quality, implying the inherent limitations in project management.
  • A humorous take on the laws of thermodynamics is shared, presenting them in a way that reflects the challenges of achieving success in scientific endeavors.
  • Lastly, a participant jokingly states that an MBA could lead to similar happiness, suggesting a light-hearted comparison between different career paths.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share a variety of phrases and insights, but there is no clear consensus on which sayings are most applicable or valuable in STEM contexts. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Some phrases may depend on specific contexts within STEM fields, and the interpretations of humor or seriousness may vary among participants.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the intersection of humor and advice in STEM education, as well as those looking for creative ways to communicate complex ideas.

fresh_42
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I just had an idea. I thought of two bits of advice today that I often give as common mottoes. They are as general as the aphorisms found in fortune cookies. I could imagine that others have similar phrases they use or used to advise their students.

So here it is, the thread that gathers such puns.

I'll start with those phrases and hope to read many others:

1) Start by removing what disturbs you the most!
(Advice meant to tackle a problem by, e.g. removing asymmetries or by a reduction to special cases.)

2) Whenever you see a square, think of ##\mathrm{a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)!}##

3) Writing is faster than thinking!
(Better to write down some additional lines than do too many - possibly wrong - steps in mind.)
 
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Physics news on Phys.org
DaveE said:
I'm reminded of that old grad school joke: "6 weeks of working in the lab can save you from spending a few hours in the library"
:smile:
 
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Have you tried integration by parts?
 
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The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum forms a continuum
from long wavelengths (low frequency)
to short wavelengths (high frequency).

Human eyes evolved to see the visible light segment of this continuum
as our sun primarily emits light near the visible portion of the EM spectrum.
------------------------------------

More like poetry format than fortune cookie, best as narration to colored graphs.
 
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Time, cost, quality. Pick one.
 
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The three laws of thermodynamics:

First law: You can't win
Second law: You can't even break even
Third law: You can't get out of the game
 
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You will be just as happy with an MBA.
 
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