Thread: beginning help

can someone please give me advice in learning.. i really want to have a understanding for the world around me but its hard when i have NO ONE to teach me or have any idea on how to go about learning i got into bad things in highschool and basically threw my chance of learning away now im severely paying for it and i really need someone to help me because i look around and see how absolutely beautiful world is and i want to know how it works when i see something happening i want to be able to know what is going on and WHY people i know i might sound like a fool but this is something i really want in life and am willing to work hard on it but i need someone to help me..

and i know reading books is a great way of learning but just as carl sagan said theres millions of books the secret is to know WHICH books to read

I think what you really need to do is start by narrowing down what it is that your interested in or curious about, if your really not sure about this even get yourself down to your local library and just have good browse through the books until you find some that thrill you. You really need to start with finding something your interested in and can get passionate about learning, once this happens you'll find learning comes naturally and you'll soak up information like a sponge.

Best of luck.

im interested in almost everything mainly physics and space and the way the universe works but i dont know how to go about that

Here are a selection of books from my own library that I have personally found interesting and informative. I've included ones across a wide range of science subjects and in a couple of cases maybe stepped beyond science into technology and history.

The Dinosaur Hunters by Deborah Cadbury
Trilobite by Richard Fortey

The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
Just Six Numbers by Martin Rees
The Constants of Nature by John Barrow

Rare Earth by Ward and Brownlee
Darwin's Dangerous Idea by Daniel Dennet
When Life Nearly Died by Michael Benton

Revolutionaries of the Cosmos by I.S. Glass
Space Invaders by Michel van Pelt
Roving Mars by Steven Squyre
The Cosmic Perspective by Jeffrey Bennett

Also, Wikipedia is a generally a great source. Yes, it contains some errors, but most of the articles are first rate and the references at the end each item lead you to a treasure trove of knowledge.

thank you if u have any more advice on anything i would GREATLY appreciate it this has put me in a rather depressive state idk what to do i get happiness in learning but im stuck.. please keep the advice coming any advice

Remember that there are many members here willing to answer questions you come up with. It really is never too late to learn. Do not be put off if you find any (or all) of what you read to be difficult or confusing. Anyone who thinks learning is easy and painless never progressed past Sesame Street. Good luck. (And remember, we make our own luck.)

Edit: I think you should definitely pick a specic topic to focus on. You mention you are interested in space. I would recommend being more specific than that. Focus, for example, on the solar system. But be more specific than that. Focus in on Mars. Read anything and everything you can about Mars. I am certain that as you learn about Mars you will be learning about much more, in the background.

Originally Posted by Chrisgorlitz

I think what you really need to do is start by narrowing down what it is that your interested in or curious about, if your really not sure about this even get yourself down to your local library and ...

Contrary to what people may think, libraries and librarians are not extinct, nor are they next to useless. Because library work involves lots of ho-hum, physical work (I know because I've done it — book returns, making repairs, shelving books, reading shelves, dusting, etc), librarians are very happy to engage patrons in conversations on their materials and to make recommendations (ie, to talk to real live human beings!).

Go down there, and tell them that you began losing interest in science in about Grade [whatever], and could they recommend several books on the topics of [whatever] that you could use to restart your education. Don't be embarrassed; your change of heart will probably impress them because they are in the business of helping people to learn. If it seems like a librarian is not well-versed in science, find another one who is. If you don't have a library card, be prepared to show them something like a recent utility bill with your name and current address on it (as proof of your address), so they can issue you one.

Also ask them about how to search for materials from home on their website and about inter-library loans. Your public library probably is part of a library group/consortium/exchange/etc involving libraries in many cities/towns in your region that allows you to access materials (books, DVDs, CDs, etc) from within the region that they will ship to your local library/branch for your convenient pick up and drop off. In this way, libraries basically pool their resources, eliminate duplicate purchases, and make their patrons very happy. Inter-library loans can be especially useful because they may allow you access to the vast amounts of materials from libraries in nearby major cities (such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, etc) and from nearby state-run colleges and universities (especially important for science/technical books or for books on rare/unusual topics).

Public libraries also offer other benefits. They may allow access to websites that would otherwise require paid membership or subscriptions (although you probably must use the computers in their libraries). Libraries usually offer passes for free or reduced-price admissions to museums, zoos, aquariums, etc (because all those cool places involve learning!).

PS — Actually, as far as I know, a regular public library location probably has just one or two real "librarians" (ie, bosses who earned a Masters in Library and/or Information Sciences). The people who usually help us in libraries are employees (or volunteers) called Library Clerics, or Library Assistants, or something like that. All of them should be able to perform all tasks within the library, including "interviewing" patrons and helping them select appropriate materials.

And yes, Wikipedia is also an excellent way to learn, and because it's for the general public, it's level of comprehension is probably where you want to restart your education. It's power is in its standard format, its usually well-written content, and its quick links to other Wikipedia articles and other materials on the Internet.

If you ask me, the power of the Internet is in its ability to perform searches. Consider, for example, Google Scholar. Searches in libraries aren't nearly as effective, although books are usually shelved by subject. And some books might have the most wonderful amount of material, and yet have very little for an index. Shame on a publisher nowadays for issuing a non-fiction book, especially a scientific/technical one, without a decent index. (I'm beginning to rant ...)

Libraries and the Internet complement each other rather well.

idk im so lost and im shy bout asking questions or saying anything out of fear of getting bashed on by other members im not smart i dont claim to be what i do claim to be is very curious of the world around me and want to learn more about it but am having a difficult time in doing so and am seeking help but like your saying i got to be more specific on the topic i want to learn and thats kinda where im stuck at i dont really know i like physics and all but idk what to do..

thank you very much jrmonroe for your reply but do u have any recommendations on books?

Go to this wikipedia article on Newton's Laws of Motion. Read it several times. Do not be scared off by the maths. Ignore it for the moment. Come back with any questions. Remember, there are no dumb questions. (Just beware of dumb answers.)

Misfit - this forum is itself a very handy learning tool. There are a range of subjects that are covered, and you'll find that a lot of people are asking the sorts of questions you might have trouble asking. Have a look around and see which threads in particular take your interest.

I understand beginning the learning process again can be very daunting, but you already have some of the main ingredients necessary to succeed in any endeavour - curiosity and desire! It may be difficult to choose one particular subject to focus on, but there's no rush to do so. Look in to a variety of different subjects, and gather as much knowledge as you can from each. I'm sure in time you will begin to notice a trend in what sort of things you are researching.

And I recommend reading anything written by popular scientists (Stephen Hawking and his 'Brief History of Time' and 'Grand Design', for example) as they are often written for the general public and you might find them a lot easier to understand (I don't mean any offence by that).

All the best, and happy learning

David.

im actually in the process of reading a brief history of time right now! and thank you all for your replys. i look forward to this quest for knowledge

Originally Posted by misfit

what i do claim to be is very curious of the world around me and want to learn more about it

You will go far with your attitude — but without courage nothing happens.

I don't have recommendations, mostly because I am weak in space/astronomy.

what are you strong in? just curious i might be interested in learning a little about that

Originally Posted by misfit

idk im so lost and im shy bout asking questions or saying anything out of fear of getting bashed on by other members im not smart i dont claim to be what i do claim to be is very curious of the world around me and want to learn more about it but am having a difficult time in doing so and am seeking help but like your saying i got to be more specific on the topic i want to learn and thats kinda where im stuck at i dont really know i like physics and all but idk what to do..

There is no need to be shy about asking questions!

If you look at threads and see someone getting "bashed", it is usually because they are arrogantly arguing against accepted science, so as long as you don't do that you'll be fine.

well i got so many just little simple questions that arent worth a thread plus i just feel like people would bash on me for my such simple questions and its not really that they are simple more of i just dont really know how to explain it which would of course make it difficult

misfit, we don't know who you are. We don't know where on the planet you live. We don't know your name. You are completely anonymous. You can ask any question here and if you decide later it was foolish you can disappear for ever. So start asking some questions. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I've already given you advice to look a t a wikipedia article. You've apparently chosen not to follow that. It's been suggested you speak to your local library. You don't want to do that. misfit, we can't he;p you if you won't help yourself. Now you made a great step forward by registering at this site and another one by posting here. But now you need to take one more.

Originally Posted by John Galt

misfit,
I've already given you advice to look a t a wikipedia article. You've apparently chosen not to follow that. It's been suggested you .

i have read the articles and actually went on to read alot of articles related to the subject i actually as we speak have a page up that i stubbled across in your recommendations and this is EXACTLY what i am talking about -.-

and where did i ever say i didnt want to go to the library? its this type of... bashing that im talking about.. i know yall are trying to help but please do it respectively

Originally Posted by misfit

Originally Posted by John Galt

misfit,
I've already given you advice to look a t a wikipedia article. You've apparently chosen not to follow that. It's been suggested you .

i have read the articles and actually went on to read alot of articles related to the subject i actually as we speak have a page up that i stubbled across in your recommendations and this is EXACTLY what i am talking about -.-

i have even gone to watching youtube clips on some of them i couldnt hear one of the videos given by wiki so i went on to youtube and went from there so i dont know why u are assuming i am not following your advice??

that said, im very thankful for your advice its helping me learn how to use wiki which i wasnt all to good at using and its leading me to some interesting pages

so keep the advice coming im really enjoying learning these types of thing

Misfit - I'm glad to see you've had some success in using some of the resources available to you. As I'm sure you've found, Wikipedia has a wealth of knowledge on a large variety of subjects, and is generally very accurate.

You also mentioned YouTube, which is another great resource at your disposal. You'll find that a lot of documentaries that channels such as National Geographic and Discovery put on TV, are available to watch free on YouTube! Topics range from what 'space' is made out of, black holes, how the earth was formed, what the earth would be like without our moon, as well as a great number of documentaries on the other planets in our solar system, and beyond!

I'd also like to clear something up. John wasn't 'bashing' you, (neither am I for that matter), he was simply saying that some of the members of the forum have provided you with ideas to assist you with your learning, and it appeared you hadn't pursued any of them. As we can see now though, it was just a misunderstanding.

What I'd recommend is that once you've followed up on one of our suggestions (reading the Wiki article for example), come back to the forum and discuss it with us! That way if there's anything you didn't understand, you could ask those questions here and really strengthen the learning process. You'll find a lot of people appreciate it when you take their advice on board, and come back with some feedback about how it did or didn't help you. That way, it's a constructive process for everyone involved!

So don't be shy, once you've done a little research, come back and discuss what's on your mind, and I'm sure you'll find plenty of people happy to get involved in the conversation.

Originally Posted by misfit

i have read the articles and actually went on to read alot of articles related to the subject i actually as we speak have a page up that i stubbled across in your recommendations and this is EXACTLY what i am talking about -.-

i have even gone to watching youtube clips on some of them i couldnt hear one of the videos given by wiki so i went on to youtube and went from there so i dont know why u are assuming i am not following your advice??

Excellent. I misinterpreted your posts since you seemed to be offering a series of statements explaining how it was never going to work. It didn't seem as if you were following anyones advice, so I'm delighted that I was mistaken. I would still feel much better for you if you wuold start asking questions on the forum.

Good luck.

thank you very much for your response. im really glad to see people help other people.