This forum is great for the learner. What's in it for the mentors?

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The discussion centers around why knowledgeable individuals in fields like physics and mathematics choose to answer questions from strangers online. Participants express that many mentors genuinely enjoy sharing their expertise and find satisfaction in helping others understand complex concepts. They appreciate the opportunity to see learners grasp difficult ideas and value the camaraderie and community aspect of the forum. While humor is present, particularly regarding the fictional "cupcakes" given for answering questions, the underlying motivation includes a desire to promote scientific understanding and critical thinking. Mentors also benefit from revisiting topics, which helps reinforce their own knowledge. Overall, the conversation highlights the altruistic nature of mentoring in online forums and the joy derived from teaching and learning.
  • #31
"Cupcakes"
They are being humble.
The mentors have their own civic area.

A "google satellite" image - (not as well known as Area 54 ) - of the mentor facilities in an undisclosed region.

1597727180235.png
 
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  • #32
256bits said:
The mentors have their own civic area [...] in an undisclosed region.
Oh - I didn't know that.
 
  • #33
256bits said:
"Cupcakes"
They are being humble.
The mentors have their own civic area.

A "google satellite" image - (not as well known as Area 54 ) - of the mentor facilities in an undisclosed region.

I snuck in and took this photo

Screen Shot 2020-08-18 at 1.38.49 AM.png
 
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  • #35
Just one of them. Of course, if you don't know which one...
 
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  • #36
256bits said:
A "google satellite" image - (not as well known as Area 54 ) - of the mentor facilities in an undisclosed region.
I fear I had to remove certain classified information:

groundsmap.png
 
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  • #37
mfb said:
I fear I had to remove certain classified information:

View attachment 267936
What the heck is a “lightning entrance?” And why isn’t that classified?!?
 
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  • #38
After some reconsideration, here is a slightly more conservative map:

groundsmap.png
Here is that entrance on Google Maps. I think the "lightning entrance" is at the lower floor, but I don't know what that means.
 
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  • #39
Hmm... The mouth is OK I guess, the ears are rather lopsided, but the eyes and nose have gone searching for a better gig!
 
  • #40
TeethWhitener said:
What the heck is a “lightning entrance?” And why isn’t that classified?!?
What ... you don't want to let the lightning in? That's what the mods use to recharge their batteries when they've had to deal w/ too many crackpot posts.
 
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  • #41
phinds said:
What ... you don't want to let the lightning in? That's what the mods use to recharge their batteries when they've had to deal w/ too many crackpot posts.
Yes, it is the code word for enlightening trance.
 
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  • #42
Teaching is a great way of testing your own understanding. Plus it is gratifying to having truly taught something to other people.
 
  • #43
I didn't become a teacher for the paycheck, I became a teacher to assist student learning. Contributing to PF is just another way I can do that. Sometimes I am providing help and advice that would have helped me as a student or early in my career. Sometimes I am providing help and advice I wish was more readily available to my own students and others.
 
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  • #44
As for me, it is indeed pleasing. I may not be the smartest person ever, but I am always happy to share that knowledge I have. No matter here or somewhere else!
 
  • #45
melissaa said:
I may not be the smartest person ever
Only one person at a time can be. It's not me either. So the odds that it's @phinds are going up.
 
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  • #46
jbriggs444 said:
Only one person at a time can be. It's not me either. So the odds that it's @phinds are going up.
I thought we decide it on regular meetings who currently is.
 
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  • #47
@fresh_42 gave the best answer to this question in another thread:
fresh_42 said:
Since then I know that being forced to explain something to others (while constantly asking your self why this is true what you are just talking about) is a really good way to learn something.
 
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  • #48
melissaa said:
I may not be the smartest person ever

That is unimportant. What is important is we communicate the essence of what science is. School rarely does that, but here you will find people that do.

Thanks
Bill
 
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  • #49
ZapperZ said:
You're just sore because Greg stopped giving you one after you licked the frosting off the whole box of cupcakes.

Zz.
Who puts frosting on a box?
 
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  • #50
BrassOctopus said:
Who puts frosting on a box?
Oh, you'd be surprised at the mentality of some of our mentors :oldlaugh:
 
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  • #51
BrassOctopus said:
Who puts frosting on a box?
In my experience that happens on the drive home from the bakery. Something about the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Or maybe my driving skills. IDK.
 
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  • #52
DaveE said:
In my experience that happens on the drive home from the bakery. Something about the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Or maybe my driving skills. IDK.
No, it has to be a physical law. Similar to the Nutella theorem: There is no way to make a Nutella sandwich without getting it on the fingers.
 
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  • #53
fresh_42 said:
No, it has to be a physical law. Similar to the Nutella theorem: There is no way to make a Nutella sandwich without getting it on the fingers.

Something something magnetics, something something over-unity...
 
  • #54
Nutella is a non-conservative force. It doesn't conserve clean surfaces.
 
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  • #55
mfb said:
Nutella is a non-conservative force. It doesn't conserve clean surfaces.
On the other hand, strawberry conserve is conservative.
 
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  • #56
DrGreg said:
strawberry conserve
I prefer the raspberry, blackberry, red and black currant, peach and apricot conserves.
 
  • #57
What's in it for the mentors?
We do it for the satisfaction and camaraderie.

We also promote the scientific and evidentiary processes, objective and critical thinking, and good grammar.
 
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  • #58
Astronuc said:
We do it for the satisfaction and camaraderie.

We also promote the scientific and evidentiary processes, objective and critical thinking, and good grammar.
A good grammar is one who makes peach conserves.
 
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  • #59
jbriggs444 said:
A good grammar is one who makes peach conserves.
Me didn't never knows my grammar.
 
  • #60
Janus said:
Me didn't never knows my grammar.
YOU'RE BUSTED !
grammar-police-badge.png
 
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