Would it be a shame to go through life..

[TecHNooB]

To restate the question, would it be a shame to go through life without a basic understanding of calculus, chemistry, and physics? You only live once, why not learn?

 

[Wapp]

I'd rather spend my time chasing poon.

 

[pontifex]

I don't have a basic understanding of any of those things you mentioned and I don't really see how I'm really losing out. doesn't bother me.

that said, i wouldn't mind learning some of it, well, maybe except for calculus. I hate math.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
To restate the question, would it be a shame to go through life without a basic understanding of calculus, chemistry, and physics? You only live once, why not learn?

Why not learn how to speak Itallian, why not learn the piano, why not learn how to do an engine swap on a car......blah blah blah

This is a silly question. We should all have goals in life, but they don't necessarily have to deal with calculus, chemistry, and physics.

 

[clamum]

how is babby formed?

 

[mundane]

Originally posted by: clamum
how is babby formed?

Link (Somethingawful)

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
To restate the question, would it be a shame to go through life without a basic understanding of calculus, chemistry, and physics? You only live once, why not learn?

What makes you so sure those things provide basic knowledge of how the universe works?

I personally enjoy knowing those concepts, but am aware I'm far from having any real knowledge of the workings of the universe. I also acknowledge that time spent studying other things instead could have provided equal or greater happiness.

So no, it would not be a shame to not know those things. Yes, I like knowing calculus, physics, etc. Yes, I would very much like a peek into the inner workings of reality, or even some solid knowledge of what reality is. No, it won't be a shame that I'll never get that chance.

 

[SludgeFactory]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
To restate the question, would it be a shame to go through life without a basic understanding of calculus, chemistry, and physics? You only live once, why not learn?

It's easier and cooler to just put "I don't read much" in the Favorite Books blank.

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: mundane

Originally posted by: clamum
how is babby formed?

Link (Somethingawful)

Well, that clears it up! :laugh:

 

[SludgeFactory]

Originally posted by: mundane

Originally posted by: clamum
how is babby formed?

Link (Somethingawful)

Hahaha, never seen that before, I laughed even harder the second time it played :thumbsup:

 

[Kirby]

No, calculus sucks ass.

 

[Fritzo]

If it appeals to you, fine. If not, then it's not worth knowing.

I dabbled with getting a degree in chemistry with a minor in physics, but lost the desire quickly. It's a pretty dry and complicated field.

 

[meltdown75]

depends on what you mean by "the basics"...

in the context of this forum, the basics has the potential to be pretty annoying.

 

[TecHNooB]

Ok, what I meant by basic understanding is having a strong grasp of the logic behind each subject, not being able to churn out exact numbers. For example, if you were asked to size up a real life phenomena, you can see the math behind it and what concepts would be applied to gain a better understanding of whats going on.

 

[Feldenak]

Nah, I'm quite happy with myself and I've never taken a physics class, didn't go beyond HS chemistry, and business calc was the highest math I've taken.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
Ok, what I meant by basic understanding is having a strong grasp of the logic behind each subject, not being able to churn out exact numbers. For example, if you were asked to size up a real life phenomena, you can see the math behind it and what concepts would be applied to gain a better understanding of whats going on.

I think you just proved my point

 

[bonkers325]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
Ok, what I meant by basic understanding is having a strong grasp of the logic behind each subject, not being able to churn out exact numbers. For example, if you were asked to size up a real life phenomena, you can see the math behind it and what concepts would be applied to gain a better understanding of whats going on.

I think you just proved my point

basic understanding translates to common sense and a rough knowledge of math and science

even without math and science, common sense should be able to tell you why buildings stand up and how rockets get off the ground

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: bonkers325

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
Ok, what I meant by basic understanding is having a strong grasp of the logic behind each subject, not being able to churn out exact numbers. For example, if you were asked to size up a real life phenomena, you can see the math behind it and what concepts would be applied to gain a better understanding of whats going on.

I think you just proved my point

basic understanding translates to common sense and a rough knowledge of math and science

even without math and science, common sense should be able to tell you why buildings stand up and how rockets get off the ground

Well, you gotta delve a little deeper rather then simply saying, "Fire come out one end, rocket go the other."

 

[SSSnail]

<lawn chair + popcorns> Thread's first!

 

[hanoverphist]

i answered yes, but only for myself. i dont think everyone needs to know everything, most people would just confuse themselves more than enlighten themselves i think. im pretty confused usually anyway, so im used to it.

 

[CKent]

I'd rather be oblivious, because the most contented people I meet in life are usually also the dumbest.

 

[Jeff7]

How much detail do we go into though? If we had more time, then devoting more time to learning would be much easier. Really you could say that even Stephen Hawking has only a "basic" understanding of (or at least decent theories about) how the Universe works. There's just so much out there to be known, one tiny human lifespan isn't nearly enough time in which to learn "the basics."
Even the definition of "basic" is ever changing. There was a time when all you needed to know about the Universe was that Ra transported the sun across the sky. That's how it worked. Next subject! Now "basic" may entail knowing that the sun is a yellow dwarf star, ball of plasma about 93 million miles away, undergoing constant nuclear fusion, around which our little chunk of iron orbits. Do we stop there, or delve into theories about the sun's makeup, or learn about the intense magnetic fields surrounding sunspots, or how prominences follow magnetic field lines, or the balance between gravity and radiation pressure?

Some people like being fully grounded, looking no farther than this planet, addressing only local issues. Others want to look farther than our technology can show us, which is pretty darn far. Society needs both.