5 ms·

The arrogance displayed here by saying “If I can do it, so can you!” when that’s exactly what OP is complaining about is astounding. Does everyone have the sam

The arrogance displayed here by saying “If I can do it, so can you!” when that’s exactly what OP is complaining about is astounding. Does everyone have the same level of intelligence? Are you really telling me that absolutely any member of the public could learn QFT, even people with a severe learning disability and low-IQ? Anyone you just randomly plucked off the street? Just no.

exolymph 6y ago
I assume this was flagged for being combative, but it's spot-on, so I vouched it. How many people with Down syndrome have mastered calculus? Let's please attend to reality in these matters.
- leadingthenet 6y ago
  Thanks, and apologies if it came off as needlessly combative. I probably could’ve phrased it better.
wegs 6y ago
I wasn't referring to mental disability, but aside from that, yes, a typical random person plucked off the street could generally learn quantum field theory, given about a decade of appropriate focused effort. Mathematical maturity takes about a half-decade to develop, maybe a little more. Working through physics up to QFT takes a bit under a half-decade, in my experience. It's slow-going at first, and then accelerates. I've seen people go through very similar transitions before.
- james_s_tayler 6y ago
  Ain't nobody got time for that.
yummypaint 6y ago
As a practicing physicist, i would compare the amount of time, effort and skill needed to complete a PhD to that needed to become a professional session musician. Some people will find aspects of it much easier than others because of talent, some will get a big head start in childhood, some will learn much faster than their peers because they practice 6 hours per day and are driven by their passion. Some people get lucky and have the trifecta. This doesn't mean that there isn't value in an adult choosing to learn an instrument (i.e. study physics). It can be enriching even if one never reaches the point of quitting their day job to play music full time.
- leadingthenet 6y ago
  Apologies if I came off as needlessly combative, my phrasing could certainly be improved. Don’t get me wrong, I completely agree with what you’re saying. In fact, I encourage anyone with even the slightest inclination to study essentially anything, but especially physics, in their own free time to do it. You’re spot on in saying that there’s value in doing that. The only assumption I wanted to challenge was that absolutely every human on Earth could do it. I just think that’s patently untrue, and betrays an inability to view things from other people’s perspective.

exolymph 6y ago

I assume this was flagged for being combative, but it's spot-on, so I vouched it. How many people with Down syndrome have mastered calculus? Let's please attend to reality in these matters.

leadingthenet 6y ago
Thanks, and apologies if it came off as needlessly combative. I probably could’ve phrased it better.

wegs 6y ago

I wasn't referring to mental disability, but aside from that, yes, a typical random person plucked off the street could generally learn quantum field theory, given about a decade of appropriate focused effort. Mathematical maturity takes about a half-decade to develop, maybe a little more. Working through physics up to QFT takes a bit under a half-decade, in my experience. It's slow-going at first, and then accelerates. I've seen people go through very similar transitions before.

james_s_tayler 6y ago
Ain't nobody got time for that.

yummypaint 6y ago

As a practicing physicist, i would compare the amount of time, effort and skill needed to complete a PhD to that needed to become a professional session musician. Some people will find aspects of it much easier than others because of talent, some will get a big head start in childhood, some will learn much faster than their peers because they practice 6 hours per day and are driven by their passion. Some people get lucky and have the trifecta. This doesn't mean that there isn't value in an adult choosing to learn an instrument (i.e. study physics). It can be enriching even if one never reaches the point of quitting their day job to play music full time.

leadingthenet 6y ago
Apologies if I came off as needlessly combative, my phrasing could certainly be improved. Don’t get me wrong, I completely agree with what you’re saying. In fact, I encourage anyone with even the slightest inclination to study essentially anything, but especially physics, in their own free time to do it. You’re spot on in saying that there’s value in doing that. The only assumption I wanted to challenge was that absolutely every human on Earth could do it. I just think that’s patently untrue, and betrays an inability to view things from other people’s perspective.