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Is There a Dark Side to Studying Statistical Mechanics?
- Thread starter DaveE
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AI Thread Summary
David Goodstein's "States of Matter" is recognized for its valuable insights beyond just the introduction. The discussion highlights the tragic reality that several practitioners of statistical mechanics, including Paul Drude, have taken their own lives. This raises concerns about the mental health challenges faced within the field, suggesting that the terminology used, such as "Festkörperphysik," may not adequately reflect the complexities and pressures associated with the discipline.
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Vanadium 50
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This is from David Goodstein's States of Matter, which is highly regarded - and not just for the introduction.
You can add Paul Drude to the list of practitioners of statistical mechanics who committed suicide.
You can add Paul Drude to the list of practitioners of statistical mechanics who committed suicide.
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Looks as if you shouldn't call it "Festkörperphysik" if you're doing it.Vanadium 50 said:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_Chen-Ning
( photo from http://insti.physics.sunysb.edu/~yang/ )
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/science/chen-ning-yang-dead.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxrzzk02plo
https://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/en/press/mourning-professor-yang-chen-ning/
https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/physics/about/awards_and_prizes/_nobel_and_breakthrough_prizes/_profiles/yangc
https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/physics/people/_profiles/yangc...
"In 2013, after a series of hospitalizations due to magnets, New Zealand government officials permanently banned the sale of those made from neodymium-iron-boron (NIB)."
https://www.sciencealert.com/new-zealand-teen-loses-part-of-his-bowel-after-swallowing-nearly-200-magnets
"A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand has had part of his bowel surgically removed after he ingested nearly 200 high-powered magnets. (2025)"
OK, this teen was a fool, but it is not always a teen, it is not always...
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