Comments | lowk: We are star stuff harvesting star light

lowk

We are star stuff harvesting star light

Apr 23, 2005 21:54

I think I am approaching one of the most fundamental choices in my life, one that may well determine an awful lot about my future. By the start of next year I am going to have to choose whether to become a biological or a physical scientist.

( Ask the experts )

Comments 35

salmakia April 23 2005, 22:31:30 UTC

I know this isn't going to help you in making a decision, but I feel compelled to point out that you can be fascinated by and find lovely everyday things without having a precise physical knowledge of what causes them.

Ok, you will not get precisely the same experience from it, but that doesn't make it any less valid. Besides, I enjoy imagining that someone is painting the frost patterns on the window panes even if I know that's not what's actually happening.

Thanks for the Dawkins quote, I like it muchly. Especially the end.

lowk April 24 2005, 09:01:48 UTC

Ok, you will not get precisely the same experience from it, but that doesn't make it any less valid.

It may not be less valid, but I can guarantee you that, while it can still be fascinating and lovely, it is nothing compared to the way that life opens up around you when you start to look beyond the surface.

And I love all of those quotes, but I think Darwin's is the best.

(The comment has been removed)

lowk April 24 2005, 23:55:25 UTC

...

I must admit I don't understand that...

What does "Bit wholesale" mean?

Thread 6

deltawing April 23 2005, 23:20:36 UTC

Well, here's my opinion, although I am relatively unlearned in both.

BIOLOGY IS EVIL! DO NOT BE CORRUPTED BY HER! She may appear fascinating at times, but do not be lured by this evil temptress, for she will lead you astray, into boredom, depression and ecology. Stay away.

(The comment has been removed)

lowk April 25 2005, 10:23:21 UTC

For Science!

decision kwanyin2004 April 23 2005, 23:52:39 UTC

What sometimes helps me in situations like this is to think about which one I will miss the most should I not have time for it. Think about it from the opposite direction. What can't you bear to give up?

Re: decision lowk April 25 2005, 10:28:14 UTC

Good idea. Except I think I'd miss both of them lots, and I don't know which. There is so much I want to know and do with both of them!

I really want to be able to understand general relativity, and the maths behind QED, but I also want to know a huge amount of stuff about biology. Ack!

I don't know :-/ Thanks for the advice tho.

Re: decision kwanyin2004 April 26 2005, 00:30:31 UTC

Okay, is there anyway you can be a trailblazer and combine the two interests in one career?

Re: decision lowk April 26 2005, 00:58:53 UTC

Hmmm, maybe, but I'm not sure I'd really want to, to be honest. The area between, i.e. biophysics, doesn't interest me all that much, in the same way that I find chemistry interesting but not biochemistry. In physics I'd like to study the very fundamental levels, and in biology the very high level, evolutionary and ecological concepts, and the two wouldn't really combine very well.

Thread 8

rochvelleth April 24 2005, 12:19:52 UTC

I have no advice as such (well, no advice that isn't along the lines of "change to Classics!"), but there are quite a few scientist types on my F'list who have been through that process and might be in a good position for giving advice. If you like, I could post on my LJ asking for advice for you (just let me know), or there's always cantabrigiensis :)

lowk April 25 2005, 10:25:15 UTC

If you like, I could post on my LJ asking for advice for you

That would be great, if you don't mind. Thank you :-)

rochvelleth April 26 2005, 09:38:51 UTC

I'll do it right away - sorry I forgot to check here yesterday!

emperor April 26 2005, 12:54:35 UTC

[and lo, the hordes from rochvelleth's friends list arrive]

I'm a biologist. A fairly mathematical biologist. Some of the papers I read are from physics journals - things are more connected than you might think!

I'm not sure there is a "right" answer - many physicists have ended up as physiologists, and some biologists get very mathematical. You must by now have some idea of what things you like and don't like: are you good at remembering facts? biology exams require you to be, even if being a researcher doesn't so much (thankfully!) Are you really really good at maths? Getting a good mark in physics will require you to be.

What are the options you're thinking about doing next year? Which bits appeal and which don't?

And finally - though least importantly - do you have any idea what you want to do when next academic year is through?

[err, I HTH...]