Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around identifying researchable topics in general relativity for pursuing a PhD. Participants express varying levels of experience and seek guidance on how to approach writing journal articles in this complex field.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant expresses a strong interest in general relativity and seeks topics for journal articles before starting a PhD.
- Another participant questions the necessity of writing journal articles prior to gaining a deeper understanding of the field.
- Several participants suggest that studying textbooks on general relativity is a more appropriate first step than writing articles.
- A participant with an M.Sc. in Physics mentions their previous research on spacetime singularities and seeks specific research topics to explore further.
- Another participant, not a physicist, suggests looking for interesting topics in a specific journal, indicating a resource for potential research ideas.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
There is no consensus on whether writing journal articles should precede studying the field. Some participants advocate for a focus on foundational knowledge first, while others emphasize the desire to write articles as a starting point.
Contextual Notes
Participants have varying backgrounds, with some having advanced degrees in physics and others not being researchers in the field. The discussion reflects differing opinions on the appropriate sequence of learning and writing in academia.