sciwiz12

I am currently studying chemistry on the side with the hope of building a home chem lab for fun, research, and possibly even some eventual profit. Does anyone have any suggestions? In particular I'm thinking about how I will approach building my materials and supplies. What are some useful chemicals that can be quickly and easily synthesised from common household ingredients? What are some good sources of free (I'm 100% broke) literature on the subject of home chemistry? Where should I target my studies first so that I can get hands on as quickly as possible while remaining safe and practical (keeping in mind I am literally 100% broke and have access to nature and the contents of a more or less average home).

There seems to me to be an indefinite culture war in the US that has been raging since about the 60s more or less. At one point conservativism and scientific rationality didn't really seem opposed to one another but around the time of the war in Vietnam we saw counterculture take root in college and academic environments where learned students and professors raved first against the war, and then against the man. Following that the silent majority took over feeling that the counter culture was dangerously close to becoming the culture culture and I think Carsons is just the latest example of the fallout from that area, when conservative started to become synonymous with anti-academic.

I am a 22 year old college student looking to make some new friends with common interests. I am interested in all general topics of scientific inquiry. My major is video game design while I pursue my Bachelor's but I'd like to do well enough to transfer to my silly schoolboy fantasy dream college. I'm hear right now because I've been feeling a deep and unyielding sense of isolation. I don't get out much and when I do talk to people they rarely share my interests and values. I'm hoping to make some lasting friends here who can challenge my understanding of nature and society and through engaging discussion help me to find some semblance of meaning in my social interactions.