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re: Is chasing Theoretical Physics a waste of time if you’re not brilliant?
Posted on 12/28/25 at 12:44 pm to The Silverback
Posted on 12/28/25 at 12:44 pm to The Silverback
Depends on your goal. If you want to teach, then probably not a waste of time, but I would expect programs to decline in number given that the last 50 years of theoretical physics has turned out to be a dead end. If you expect to make contributions to theory, you’d be showing signs of being a prodigy already.
0
Posted on 12/28/25 at 12:44 pm to The Silverback
It’s probably a point in life where you are just burnt out.
I think if you found something to help recharge yourself, you would be fine in that field
I think if you found something to help recharge yourself, you would be fine in that field
Posted on 12/28/25 at 1:02 pm to The Silverback
Define what your work product will be and put a value to it. Work for space x and make bucks, feel valued calculating forces a million miles away. Work for a two year college teaching physics is different
Posted on 12/28/25 at 3:03 pm to FCP
quote:
Seems like someone who spoke English, had any kind of personality, and had a little common sense would be way ahead of their peers in that field.
This applies to all science disciplines. I run a department at one of the biggest hospitals in the state and we have some smart, brilliant people but the amount of real world common sense is shockingly low among most. Communicating with the mostly from China residents can be a challenge for them. The vast majority of residents are from other countries and/or female. It is almost impossible for a white male to match with us, if they were lucky enough to get into med school in the first place.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 3:13 pm to FCP
quote:
Wife’s cousin is a physics professor. Doctorate and everything. Smart enough dude, but has the personality of sandpaper and has difficulty navigating the real world.
And it can be literally.
An old acquaintance of mine is an accomplished math professor. Published in philosophy journals in the latter part of his career.
The guy got lost all the time. He once gave me directions to his house over the phone and it was like talking to a kid with Down syndrome. Completely inept. He also had odd social skills. Not autistic level but just he was what the common man might call a “dick.”
Posted on 12/28/25 at 3:28 pm to The Silverback
If you can explain dark matter to us like we're 12, I would appreciate it.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 3:42 pm to The Silverback
I find as I get older that I look deeper into things and what is below the surface. I find new interest in arts of a wide variety, and just soaking in anything new I can. I wish I had been like this my whole life. Never let anyone dim your fascination with things.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 3:50 pm to The Silverback
I suggest you research what Charles Krauthammer said about this. He faced the very dilemma that you posed and said this:
He went into political journalism and, although paralyzed from the neck down, made a brilliant career of it.
quote:
Recognition of limits in physics: He noted, "My real interest in life is physics... And the reason I didn't go to a career in physics is because, very simply I wasn't a genius, and I knew it pretty early, and there were geniuses, I saw some, and I read some". He felt that the highest levels of physics required a talent beyond his own.
He went into political journalism and, although paralyzed from the neck down, made a brilliant career of it.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 4:03 pm to The Silverback
I like Trevalyin's idea. You have to goal set before you go spending thousands visiting professors that you can probably watch on YouTube or pay for ChatGPT to use those prof's methods to teach you "X."
Only by setting goals can you figure out when your hobby (apparently) isn't worth the effort or money you're putting into it. You may have to dial it back and make it your Saturday afternoon contemplative meditation or something.
Only by setting goals can you figure out when your hobby (apparently) isn't worth the effort or money you're putting into it. You may have to dial it back and make it your Saturday afternoon contemplative meditation or something.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 7:13 pm to shutterspeed
quote:
In theory.
But we’ll never really know until we observe him.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 7:47 pm to McLemore
When y’all finally figure the physics thing out, please tackle squirting next.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 7:55 pm to Slippy
quote:
When y’all finally figure the physics thing out, please tackle squirting next.
It can simultaneously be urine and ejaculate.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 8:23 pm to The Silverback
quote:
Can anyone with experience give their thoughts?
People don't think the universe be like it is, but it do.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 8:44 pm to The Silverback
You came to the OT to ask about physics advice? It's a miracle that half the board can remember how to breathe.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 8:46 pm to The Silverback
theoretically it’s a waste of time but it’s all relative
Posted on 12/28/25 at 8:54 pm to The Silverback
Listen to the wise words of Dirty Harry
This post was edited on 12/28/25 at 8:55 pm
Posted on 12/28/25 at 8:57 pm to The Silverback
You can always keep doing it as a hobby.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 9:37 pm to The Silverback
quote:
over the last year I visited Harvard, Princeton and MIT (and got to meet my favorite physics professor of all time)
He’ll never be tGOAT physicist of all time
Posted on 12/28/25 at 9:46 pm to The Silverback
quote:
Can anyone with experience give their thoughts?
Depends on what you’re trying to do.
Are you trying to make a theoretical breakthrough before someone like Ed Whitten?
Then yes you’re wasting your time. That’s not meant to be an insult.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 9:57 pm to The Silverback
quote:
Two things account for most of this: (1) China being allowed in the WTO as a developing nation, and (2) Obamacare. Both were disastrous decisions for the country.
Quantum Physics has been a hobby of mine for about 15 years. I felt the same way as you for the first few weeks. But then it was as if a light bulb went off, and ever since then I've known everything there is to know about quantum physics.
Hang in there!
This post was edited on 12/28/25 at 9:58 pm
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