In Broaden Your Physics Background #1 we talked about creating table-top physics demos as a tool for expanding one’s own understanding. In this blog, I will introduce a different method, a very different method. :)
Try explaining different concepts to different entities.
For example, imagine a being that lives in a flat world (such as Flatland) — a world of two dimensions. Now, explain to this being the nature of a cube.
It would be awesome if you had a physics friend that could play the part of the two-dimensional entity. Then you and this friend could exchange email correspondence. You could take turns being the 3-D being and the 2-D being.
How would a 2 dimensional being hear the words uttered by the 3-dimensional being? This is a great exercise.
Or, consider a being that has never experienced vision. How would you describe a color spectrum? Perhaps you could do something with sound that might get the idea across?
As you go through these exercises in communication, you will come face to face with your own gaps in understanding. This will lead to research and exploration.
Research and exploration is something you can do now. However, this kind of exercise will provide focus so that you don’t end up confronting the full breadth of current science history all at the same time.
This type of exercise along with those given in Broaden Your Physics Background #1 should get the juices flowing in a good direction.
However, be vigilant for clues to direct research. These methods are round-about. Designed to accomplish very specific forms of boundary stretching. In addition to these, you should do direct exploration.
By ‘direct exploration’ I am suggesting things such as searching youtube.com for Michio Kaku and Carl Sagan. Also, scan Ted Talks periodically for interesting topics.
These are all beginning ideas. But they will get you on the road. And ultimately it is on the road that you will stumble across street signs indicating directions to go.
Sitting on the couch in the living room you will encounter precious few street signs.