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.
  • #61
Along with helping countless students out and keeping people coming here so our like minds have a great place to congregate, I would think it allows the mentors an opportunity to, "Sharpen their various axes," so-to-speak.

P.S. Someone, henceforth, has to make a new Cupcake award. :-p
 
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  • #62
Chandller said:
Along with helping countless students out and keeping people coming here so our like minds have a great place to congregate, I would think it allows the mentors an opportunity to, "Sharpen their various axes," so-to-speak.
If you are implying (or saying directly) that you think the mentors have professional or scientific axes to grind, you are mistaken and seriously misunderstand the site. People are here to learn, not to attempt to force their point of view on others.
 
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  • #63
phinds said:
If you are implying (or saying directly) that you think the mentors have professional or scientific axes to grind, you are mistaken and seriously misunderstand the site. People are here to learn, not to attempt to force their point of view on others.

phinds, a little jumpy there, my friend? That is neither what I am saying, nor implying, directly or otherwise. Maybe, "Polish their various tools," would have been better. My analogy of, "Sharpen their various axes," was to express that it gives the mentors an opportunity to address and help students/learners with different areas of Mathematics, Physics, etc. and by doing so it makes them have to look back over topics they may have not covered over in a while, there by, keeping the various branches of their given subject , their "axes," sharp in their minds.

Maybe, "Polish their various tools," would have been better. However, I prefer, axes. As the famous Paul Halmos said, when speaking on how to address Mathematics, "Don't just read it; Fight it!"

If I'm going into a fight, I'll go with the axe. :wink:
 
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  • #64
Chandller said:
phinds, a little jumpy there, my friend? That is neither what I am saying, nor implying, directly or otherwise. Maybe, "Polish their various tools," would have been better. My analogy of, "Sharpen their various axes," was to express that it gives the mentors an opportunity to address and help students/learners with different areas of Mathematics, Physics, etc. and by doing so it makes them have to look back over topics they may have not covered over in a while, there by, keeping the various branches of their given subject (their "axes,) Sharp in their minds.

Further, why would I say that the Mentor's are, "Helping countless students out," in one breath and then suggesting and/or accusing them of having, "professional or scientific axes to grind," in another?
 
  • #65
docnet said:
I was wondering why "learned" people who have degrees in physics, mathematics, and other fields of science take the time to answer stranger's questions on the internet?

Confining questions you consider to questions that you yourself ask is, for most people, a significant limitation on the scope of thought.
 
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  • #66
Chandller said:
That is neither what I am saying, nor implying, directly or otherwise. Maybe, "Polish their various tools," would have been better.
Sounds like the whole thing hinges on usage / interpretation. I seem to have incorrectly interpreted "sharpening axes" as "axes to grind" which is not what you meant. Sorry.
 
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  • #67
Chandller said:
Along with helping countless students out and keeping people coming here so our like minds have a great place to congregate, I would think it allows the mentors an opportunity to, "Sharpen their various axes," so-to-speak.

P.S. Someone, henceforth, has to make a new Cupcake award. :-p
Congregate? Not so sure. Just a way to think on and promote some academic knowledge and exercise writing and thinking skills. Unfortunately, no laboratory connected with the forum.

Cupcake? Now someone will supply his own laboraotry (a kitchen can be a laboratory, right?).
 
  • #68
Chandller said:
Along with helping countless students out and keeping people coming here so our like minds have a great place to congregate, I would think it allows the mentors an opportunity to, "Sharpen their various axes," so-to-speak.

P.S. Someone, henceforth, has to make a new Cupcake award. :-p
Notice very well, said was "sharpen their various axes." We should not change that to "axes to grind" which although literally is the same thing more or less, it carries connotation of complaining or expressing frustration or irritation.
 
  • #69
symbolipoint said:
Notice very well, said was "sharpen their various axes." We should not change that to "axes to grind" which although literally is the same thing more or less, it carries connotation of complaining or expressing frustration or irritation.
Not in my experience. The phrase "axes to grind" means having an agenda to promote (and promoting it). I have never heard it used with the connotations you attribute to it.

Also, see post #66
 
  • #70
phinds said:
Not in my experience. The phrase "axes to grind" means having an agenda to promote (and promoting it). I have never heard it used with the connotations you attribute to it.

Also, see post #66
I have heard it used on rare occasions but never myself learned to use it. I did not fully enough understand it. For sure it ain't in my idiolect.

This article almost helps: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Miner
 
  • #71
Fun thread, but we've drifted far from the OP question. Thanks everyone. :smile:
 
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