This list is so Garrulous

[David A. Bandel]

On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 09:17, Yu Meng Chong <chongym at cymulacrum.net> wrote:
>
> ----- "David A. Bandel" <david.bandel at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Anyway ... no, between preparing to teach classes (at least not
>> physics classes this year),
>
> Wow! You teach Physics? That's a tough subject to teach.

Sometimes.  What I enjoy teaching is not the physics that usually
freaks folks out so they never want to hear about it again.  Physics
is a _lot_ of fun.  And I usually teach an optional preliminary course
that runs through the basics of energy to gravity to electromagnetics
to space/time and winding up with Einstein's General and Special
Theories of Relativity (which explains rest mass, why light bends
around gravity wells, time dilation, the ultimate speed limit -- light
-- etc.).

Besides, if it weren't for physics, we wouldn't have PCs or Linux or
any of the other geeky things we all enjoy playing with.  Physics
gives us the toys for big boys.  Now if I could just get a ride in the
"vomit comet" -- not likely I'll ever see the inside of the space
station up close and personal.

What I don't like to teach is the Ministry of Education mandated
drivel designed to discourage anyone from wanting to enter one of
todays most exciting and rapidly advancing fields.  Heck, we only just
learned that dark energy and dark mass comprise 94% of the universe,
and haven't yet figured out what they are.  That's a lot of "stuff" to
be researching.  Wouldn't mind seeing a periodic table of dark matter
elements.  That would be weird.

>
> I failed that subject, and Chemistry and Biology way back when I was 17.

I blame the teachers.  It's their job to make this stuff interesting
and fun (with Biology, that's pretty tough).  Exobiology, now, sounds
kinda interesting.  Chemistry is really easy to make fun.  The more
labs, the more the kids enjoy (and learn).  Who doesn't want to play
in the lab?  Only time I make it a demo vice lab (where they play with
the chemicals) is when I show them how to make home-made cryogenic
liquids and shatter a flower.  Handling cryogenic liquids is like
playing with napalm -- a bit on the dangerous side.  But they like the
demo anyway.

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
            - Nemesis Air Racing Team motto
Visit my blog at: http://www.pananix.com/cgi-bin/blosxom