I want to become interested in Physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a user's desire to cultivate an interest in physics despite facing challenges in engaging with the subject. Participants explore various approaches to making physics more appealing, including personal motivations and alternative learning methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that genuine interest cannot be forced and may require acceptance of one's current feelings towards the subject.
  • Others propose that understanding the underlying motivation for wanting to learn physics could help guide the user towards a more engaging approach.
  • A few participants recommend integrating physics concepts into existing interests or adopting a hands-on, kinesthetic learning style to enhance engagement.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of curiosity and suggests starting with simple questions to spark interest in physics.
  • Another participant notes that the presentation of ideas can significantly influence interest levels, citing effective communicators like Richard Feynman and Walter Lewin as examples.
  • Some responses question the user's motivations, suggesting that external pressures may influence their desire to engage with physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on how to develop an interest in physics, with no consensus on a single effective method. The discussion includes both supportive suggestions and critical questions about the user's motivations.

Contextual Notes

Some responses highlight the subjective nature of interest and learning styles, indicating that what works for one person may not work for another. There is also an acknowledgment of the challenges in finding suitable resources that resonate with the user.

brainydoctor
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Hello,

I am new here, and I desperately want to become interested in Physics. I feel like I've tried everything. No book has helped, and I have great difficulty focusing on written text. I've looked to physics kits, but they are below my age range and I don't think that they would work for me. I just have no idea what to do, I really want to become interested in Physics, but I just have no idea how to do this, how to make Physics interesting for me.

Can someone please help me?

Thank you...
 
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You can't really force yourself to become interested in something..
 
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Keep trying, but if you truly feel like you've already tried everything you can, then it's just time to let it go. You can't force yourself to instantly enjoy something you're just not into in general.
 
Why do you want to become interested in physics??
 
micromass said:
Why do you want to become interested in physics??
Answering this question may make things easier for you. Find out what it is that will be your driving force.

Possibly find a way of integrating aspects of Physics into the things you already enjoy. You could try more of a kinesthetic approach, find ways to be more "hands on." From what you're saying this may make things a little easier for you, because not everyone is going to respond to books and notes. Maybe attempt to learn a little and go out and apply it to what you see or experience in your daily life.
 
brainydoctor said:
Hello,

I am new here, and I desperately want to become interested in Physics. I feel like I've tried everything. No book has helped, and I have great difficulty focusing on written text. I've looked to physics kits, but they are below my age range and I don't think that they would work for me. I just have no idea what to do, I really want to become interested in Physics, but I just have no idea how to do this, how to make Physics interesting for me.

Can someone please help me?

Thank you...
... and you might wish to learn to enjoy flavoring your tea with horseradish, but you do not like anything in your tea other than a little lemon or some honey.

You cannot force yourself to LIKE something but you can acquire an interest in it.
 
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micromass said:
Why do you want to become interested in physics??
zAbso said:
Answering this question may make things easier for you. Find out what it is that will be your driving force.
That's it. Curiosity. In the beginning wasn't light nor force nor word - nor a toy box. In the beginning was a question. One to get an answer to doesn't let you go until you'll have found it. (micromass can tell you since I've recently tortured him until I've found an answer to a misunderstanding I had myself.) It can or should I say should be an easy one like the famous: What makes things fall? Or: Why does current move a compass needle? From there you will be guided to several next questions and so on. My examples here have been the starting point of two famous theories in physics which nowadays every physicists know.
 
I have found that the way ideas are presented can dramatically affect one's level of interest.

Feynman was an inspirational communicator, take a look here, for example http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p018dvyg/horizon-19811982-9-the-pleasure-of-finding-things-out

I don't know what level of study you are at, but I have enjoyed some of the lectures by Walter Lewin, to be found on the MIT open courseware site.

Also, guidance from someone who has trodden the path before you can be invaluable in selecting good textbooks to study from, for example, in specific areas.

Good Luck !
 
  • #10
brainydoctor said:
I am new here, and I desperately want to become interested in Physics.
Maybe this is just an unfortunate choice of words, but the implication here is that physics is NOT interesting to you at the moment. Why do you "desperately" want to become interested in this area of science? Peer pressure? New years' resolution?
[/quote]I really want to become interested in Physics, but I just have no idea how to do this, how to make Physics interesting for me.
brainydoctor said:
I would like to become interested in eating broccoli. I know it's good for me healthwise, but someshow it just doesn't interest me. (I eat it anyway, though.)
 

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