I figuring out an anniversary gift for my physicist boyfriend

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding an appropriate anniversary gift for a physicist boyfriend, particularly considering his focus on graduate studies in loop quantum gravity. Participants explore various gift ideas that balance personal significance with his academic commitments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a gift unrelated to physics might be more appreciated, as it could provide a mental break from his studies.
  • Another participant mentions ThinkGeek as a source for gifts but acknowledges that the couple already owns many items from there.
  • A humorous suggestion is made about a hangman game related to loop gravity, though its relevance is unclear.
  • One idea proposed is to consider a gift of historical value, potentially offering a different perspective.
  • Several participants suggest practical gifts, such as an office chair, which could enhance comfort during long study sessions.
  • A jacket is recommended as a thoughtful gift that would remind him of the giver during the winter.
  • A glass Klein bottle is suggested as a unique and meaningful gift that would resonate with his field of study.
  • One participant humorously proposes a prank involving string theorists, referencing a popular culture moment from "The Big Bang Theory."
  • A slide rule is suggested as a historical and practical gift, with links to various options and brands provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of ideas and preferences for gifts, with no clear consensus on the best option. Different perspectives on the appropriateness and significance of various gifts are presented, indicating a lively debate.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions depend on the boyfriend's specific interests and preferences, which are not fully articulated. The discussion reflects a mix of practical and whimsical ideas, with varying degrees of relevance to his academic focus.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals seeking gift ideas for partners in STEM fields, particularly those who are currently focused on their studies or specific areas of research.

agirlfriend
I'm a historian, I don't know much about physics. My boyfriend and I are coming up on our 4th anniversary and I want to get him something related to his field and meaningful. He's focused so much on school, since he just started graduate school. He's trying to get into the loop quantum gravity group. Do I even stand a chance of finding anything?
 
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If he's focused so much on school, maybe something unrelated to what he's focused on is a better idea.
Like if I spent all day doing physics calculations, I would probably want something to get my mind off of it.
 
Think Geek has some nice stuff:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gifts/
 
Loop gravity makes me think about a hangman - there is a loop and there is gravity.
 
Thanks y'all. I love ThinkGeek, but we have most of that stuff. And he wants something that's not going to distract him... I was given specific instructions lol. I was trying to get a 3D printer for the both of us, but he said absolutely not..
 
If a physicist goes get a historian girlfriend, would he appreciate more having a gift of some historical value? :wink:

Maybe something to give him a different perspective to look at things? I cannot read into his mind but often I notice that quite a few people around me enjoy different and new things that they haven't seen before.
 
agirlfriend said:
Thanks y'all. I love ThinkGeek, but we have most of that stuff. And he wants something that's not going to distract him... I was given specific instructions lol. I was trying to get a 3D printer for the both of us, but he said absolutely not..

If he's buried in schoolwork, I suppose he has to sit *a lot*. A nice chair can make all the difference, so an office chair, maybe? And it's not distracting at all :biggrin:!
 
lisab said:
If he's buried in schoolwork, I suppose he has to sit *a lot*. A nice chair can make all the difference, so an office chair, maybe? And it's not distracting at all :biggrin:!

Unless the chair has wheels!
 
My first thought wouldn't have been something tangible. But I guess that's not appropriate here.

Get him a jacket. The winter is coming, and it will remind him of you every time he wears it.
 
  • #10
Perhaps a glass Klein bottle? It seems fitting to me. It may not make much sense to you but he will know exactly what this is.
3%20botsclaserlqm.jpg


http://www.kleinbottle.com/whats_a_klein_bottle.htm
 
  • #11
You could go TP a few string theorist's houses together with him...I watched that episode of Big Bang Theory... apparently LQG people and string theorists hate each other.
 
  • #12
Get him a slide rule. Historical and useful.

http://www.antiquark.com/sliderule/sim/n4es/virtual-n4es.html

The one above is a dual base hyperbolic speed rule and very cool. I have a real one just like it, except mine isn't rusty.

Other variations can be found here:

http://www.antiquark.com/sliderule/sim/index.html

The guy that created that website has a thing for Picketts. The best real slide rules are Hemmi, Post, or Teledyne (actually, all three brands were made by Hemmi). The bamboo slide rules just have a real nice feel to them.

http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/post.html
 

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