Happiness in learning and seeking knowldage. What do you think?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the enjoyment of learning and seeking knowledge, particularly in the context of science and engineering. Participants explore personal experiences with learning, teaching, and the balance between academic pursuits and social life.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that they feel happy when learning or teaching, suggesting a connection between these activities and personal fulfillment.
  • Others propose that the joy of learning is a common trait among those studying physics, implying that a passion for understanding the world is a shared experience.
  • A participant shares their extensive study habits and diverse interests, indicating that learning can be a lifelong hobby rather than a chore.
  • Some contributions highlight the idea that there are no boring topics, only boring people, suggesting a positive outlook on the pursuit of knowledge.
  • There are discussions about the stereotype of scientists as socially impaired, with some arguing that it is possible to enjoy learning while maintaining a social life.
  • Several participants share anecdotes about their interests in specific fields, such as aeromarine vehicles and cosmology, reflecting a wide range of topics that inspire learning.
  • Some participants engage in light-hearted banter about language and communication, indicating a playful aspect of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the enjoyment of learning, but there are varying perspectives on the balance between academic and social life, as well as differing views on the nature of scientists and their social interactions. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express challenges in focusing on specific areas of study due to a wide range of interests, which may affect their learning experience. There is also mention of the stereotype of scientists, which may not reflect the reality of all individuals in the field.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students, educators, and individuals passionate about learning in STEM fields, as well as those exploring the relationship between personal fulfillment and academic pursuits.

AlexES16
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Do you enjoy learning new things, seeking undersetanding on how the nature works, and feel amazed by it? Or maybe how electronics works, or marybe how we produce energy? or all.
Can some one really feel happy/enjoy learning?. Can you balance your life with your career and social life? They always portrait scientist as socially impaired or inadapted. Just some toughts from a dude who goes university in 7 months. What do you think?
 
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Personally, I feel happy only when I am either learning or teaching. (Although, in fact, teaching also entails learning.)
Amazement is just your brain's way of saying "Holy ****! That is cool!"
 
I think most people here will agree that they enjoy learning and attempting to understand how the world works. Otherwise, people would probably not be studying physics.
 
Danger said:
Personally, I feel happy only when I am either learning or teaching. (Although, in fact, teaching also entails learning.)
Amazement is just your brain's way of saying "Holy ****! That is cool!"

That sounds totally awesome =). Hey what is your career? Is Mechanical Eng. a good one to choose?
 
Topher925 said:
I think most people here will agree that they enjoy learning and attempting to understand how the world works. Otherwise, people would probably not be studying physics.


Yeah good point BTW
im kinda getting attached to this forum, when i find a job i will try to donate or something.
 
Hello AlexES16

Great thread subject

I am a 61yo retired mechanical engineer, I study at least five hours everyday. I am interested in practically everything which I think is a problem, I have a hard time focusing and I am not the type to be a specialist. This week alone, I have been studying cosmology, geology, anthropology, and archaeology (paleo-indians). This is why I like this forum.

When I was working (40 years in the aircraft and marine industries), I would study at least two hours everyday and was into aeromarine vehicles (both manned & unmanned): seaplanes, wing in ground effect vehicles, submarines, submersible aircraft, etc.

I bounce between technology and nature on a somewhat yearly cycle, and subjects within these categories daily.

I created a knowledge & experience database in excel (back in the mid-90s) to capture noteworthy items and their source. Prior to that (mid-70s) I would use index cards

Because of my widespread interests, I tried to have a guiding goal, currently it is Origins such as: origin of the universe, Milky Way, Solar System, Earth, Life, and Humans.

Studying is like a hobby to me.
 
Gannet said:
I would study at least two hours everyday and was into aeromarine vehicles (both manned & unmanned): seaplanes, wing in ground effect vehicles, submarines, submersible aircraft, etc.

Jeez... you must have loved the flying sub from 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'. :-p

Okay, I admit that it tickled my fancy a tad. In fact, I still have the plastic model. I recall that sometime I saw an article from the 50's or 60's (maybe in Popular Mechanics) about a real version. For some reason, I see it sitting on skids on a lake. Must have been a landing or take-off picture.
 
Danger said:
Jeez... you must have loved the flying sub from 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'. :-p

Okay, I admit that it tickled my fancy a tad. In fact, I still have the plastic model. I recall that sometime I saw an article from the 50's or 60's (maybe in Popular Mechanics) about a real version. For some reason, I see it sitting on skids on a lake. Must have been a landing or take-off picture.

Hi Danger, My interest in submersible aircraft began when I read Jules Verne Master of the World. The vehicle in this book was called Terror and it was an aircraft, automobile, boat, and submarine.

But, I did like FS-1 on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

I believe the flying sub you are talking about can be seen at the attached linkhttp://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,703.0/highlight,submersible aircraft.html"

Back in October, 2008 DARPA was requesting bids for a submersible aircraft and made downselect to three contractors, then Congress postponed it in July, 2009.
 
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There's too much stuff to be interested into ever stop actively trying to learn new things.

There aren't any boring topics. Only boring people.
 
  • #10
rolerbe said:
There aren't any boring topics. Only boring people.
If my screen had hands, I would high-five you on that.
Gannet... sorry, but your link, and the links that it led to, have nothing to do with what I was talking about.
The craft that I remember landed on skids (skids, mind you, not pontoons), transitioned to hydrojets, and sank. Upon surfacing, it transitioned back to turbojets and took off with the skids. I'll try to find something more tangible regarding the project.
 
  • #11
I hear proper English is a good thing to learn.
 
  • #12
KalamMekhar said:
I hear proper English is a good thing to learn.

Or, properly, "I hear that proper English is a good thing to learn." :-p
 
  • #13
Danger said:
Or, properly, "I hear that proper English is a good thing to learn." :-p

English = my second language.
 
  • #14
Danger said:
Gannet... sorry, but your link, and the links that it led to, have nothing to do with what I was talking about.
The craft that I remember landed on skids (skids, mind you, not pontoons), transitioned to hydrojets, and sank. Upon surfacing, it transitioned back to turbojets and took off with the skids. I'll try to find something more tangible regarding the project.

I did not have problem with it; however, try this link
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,703.0.html"

There are eight pages of submersible aircraft
 
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  • #15
Kalam, you would benefit greatly from reading "The English as How She is Spoke" by José da Fonseca and Pedro Carolino. It's sort of a Portuguese/English dictionary. :biggrin:

No joy on the upgrade, Gannet. There was nothing wrong with the original link other than the fact that it had nothing to do with the machine that I'm referring to. Also, the original that I'm thinking of was not in Russian; that was a serious no-no in Yankee literature during the time frame that I have in mind.
 
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  • #16
I absolutely love learning. Believe it or not, it's one of the reasons I enjoy teaching so much. I love encountering the students who ask questions I can't answer, which gives me a new question to look up and learn more about.

And, yes, you can enjoy learning and have a social life and be a normal person too. Though, normality is overrated. :wink:
 
  • #17
Moonbear said:
Though, normality is overrated. :wink:

I'm pretty sure that anyone who is 'normal' won't be participating in GD. They will tend to haunt the serious forums.
 
  • #18
Gannet said:
Hello AlexES16

Great thread subject

I am a 61yo retired mechanical engineer, I study at least five hours everyday. I am interested in practically everything which I think is a problem, I have a hard time focusing and I am not the type to be a specialist. This week alone, I have been studying cosmology, geology, anthropology, and archaeology (paleo-indians). This is why I like this forum.

When I was working (40 years in the aircraft and marine industries), I would study at least two hours everyday and was into aeromarine vehicles (both manned & unmanned): seaplanes, wing in ground effect vehicles, submarines, submersible aircraft, etc.

I bounce between technology and nature on a somewhat yearly cycle, and subjects within these categories daily.

I created a knowledge & experience database in excel (back in the mid-90s) to capture noteworthy items and their source. Prior to that (mid-70s) I would use index cards

Because of my widespread interests, I tried to have a guiding goal, currently it is Origins such as: origin of the universe, Milky Way, Solar System, Earth, Life, and Humans.

Studying is like a hobby to me.

Hey =). Wow i want to be a mechanical engineer and i love learning, and i know that i will totally love studying interesting things and how thing works. The only worries i have, its if you can balance this with your social life, let's say having your girlfriend and having also other kind of fun.

What do you think?
 
  • #19
Moonbear said:
I absolutely love learning. Believe it or not, it's one of the reasons I enjoy teaching so much. I love encountering the students who ask questions I can't answer, which gives me a new question to look up and learn more about.

And, yes, you can enjoy learning and have a social life and be a normal person too. Though, normality is overrated. :wink:

I don't if i can say this in this forum but i mean the best combo will be love learning and having a great sex life. As must people have say in this forum you can, so I am going for it.
 
  • #20
AlexES16 said:
Hey =). Wow i want to be a mechanical engineer and i love learning, and i know that i will totally love studying interesting things and how thing works. The only worries i have, its if you can balance this with your social life, let's say having your girlfriend and having also other kind of fun.

What do you think?

Some students are adept at balancing social life with school, but I found it difficult. I didn't date while I was taking upper division classes, I simply didn't have the time.

Remember, school is only temporary and you have to keep your priorities in mind. You *can* have everything, but maybe not all at the same time.
 
  • #21
lisab said:
Some students are adept at balancing social life with school, but I found it difficult. I didn't date while I was taking upper division classes, I simply didn't have the time.

Remember, school is only temporary and you have to keep your priorities in mind. You *can* have everything, but maybe not all at the same time.

Whats your career?
 
  • #22
AlexES16 said:
Whats your career?

I majored in physics but work as a chemist.
 
  • #23
lisab said:
I majored in physics but work as a chemist.

Do you feel happines/joy when you learned and still learn? Do you feel that you help humankind? Do you feel a happy life?.

Sorry for so much question but i only left 1 month to choose career and i start in 2011. I will aply for the nationall university, and i just want to be sure about my decision, and knowing people like you that is scientist(which i admire a lot) help me know how is to fallow science if you like it.
 
  • #24
AlexES16 said:
Do you feel happines/joy when you learned and still learn? Do you feel that you help humankind? Do you feel a happy life?.

Sorry for so much question but i only left 1 month to choose career and i start in 2011. I will aply for the nationall university, and i just want to be sure about my decision, and knowing people like you that is scientist(which i admire a lot) help me know how is to fallow science if you like it.

Oh yes, I love learning, in fact I'm taking a class now just to keep my skills sharp.

As far as personal happiness, I'm the kind of person who gets more happiness from my family and friends than from my work. I suspect I'd feel that way, even if I had the world's best job. But the nice thing about having a STEM education is, if you don't like your job, it's usually not too much trouble to find a better one.

(STEM = Science Technology Engineering Math)
 
  • #25
I love my work more than family, friends, or anyone. Some people don't seem to understand it so they think I am crazy.
 
  • #26
Danger said:
Or, properly, "I hear that proper English is a good thing to learn." :-p

I'm having trouble verifying this. I find no guidance that demands a subordinator would be required to introduce the clause in that sentence.

(insert non-serious smilie here)
 
  • #27
lisab said:
Oh yes, I love learning, in fact I'm taking a class now just to keep my skills sharp.

As far as personal happiness, I'm the kind of person who gets more happiness from my family and friends than from my work. I suspect I'd feel that way, even if I had the world's best job. But the nice thing about having a STEM education is, if you don't like your job, it's usually not too much trouble to find a better one.

(STEM = Science Technology Engineering Math)

Thats great and looks like you have a balance btween your social life and work. Thanks a lot for the info and for the time lisab =).
 
  • #28
rootX said:
I love my work more than family, friends, or anyone. Some people don't seem to understand it so they think I am crazy.

Whats your career brother?
 
  • #29
lisab said:
I majored in physics but work as a chemist.
Sorry for asking but can you explain to me why women are drawn to chemistry? I have wondered about that for a long time and I figure that since you made the switch for some reason you might be able to answer. I mean, most I know go to finance or programming, haven't heard about anyone going to chemistry.
 
  • #30
Klockan3 said:
Sorry for asking but can you explain to me why women are drawn to chemistry? I have wondered about that for a long time and I figure that since you made the switch for some reason you might be able to answer. I mean, most I know go to finance or programming, haven't heard about anyone going to chemistry.
Women cook in the lab (kitchen)... Chemistry!
Men build in the lab (garage)... Physics!

:-p
 

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