What would you study?

[BigV]

I would respectfully offer a different observation, Beestie. There are good reasons to fear study, learning, testing etc. I know, I'm a poster child for test taking anxiety. But this:

Originally Posted by Beestie

I love astrophysics and quantum physics but I fear that if I try to study it too hard, I'll lose my sense of wonder and curiousity and get bogged down the complexity and uncertainty. ...

isn't one of them. It's nice to enjoy the wonder, the infinite majesty of the heavens gained by lifting one's gaze after dark, sure. But wonder and curiosity and complexity and uncertainty don't vary in inverse proportion. You could do it.

Let me offer one analogy. I am not a student of classical music, nor do I speak Italian. I cannot escape a sense of wonder when listening to Verdi's Requiem. I don't think that learning Italian, or gaining some formal understanding about classical music would diminish my appreciation for that masterpiece. Or any other piece in any other language.

The math you spoke of is the language of astrophysics and quantum physics. You would be able to understand what they were saying instead of relying on some interpreter's report (an article about the subject) saying "What they're talking about is really cool!".

I don't think your analogy works. I think you would become a player, ON the team, not just close to the team. The athletes themselves--they cheer, they celebrate, and you'd be with them, one of them, part of it.



footnote:

Sorry if was up in your face. It's your answer, your imaginary scenario, do what you want. You just accidentally mashed one of my buttons about "I can't do it because..." and I reacted. I stick to my answer, but I don't want to stick you in the eye with it, y'know?

[xoxoxoBruce]

[quote=BigV] I am not a student of classical music, nor do I speak Italian. I cannot escape a sense of wonder when listening to Verdi's Requiem. /QUOTE]
That's just because that shit is played by big bands.....
and they have a huge payroll so they pick music that they don't have to pay royalties on.