abskebabs

Hi everybody. I think my participation in this forum has dropped dramatically since joining university, as I have only posted once since, but I have an important decision to make soon, so I would be grateful for any help in answering the specific questions I am about to ask. I am currently studying Chemical Engineering at University right now, but I am seriously considering switching to Theoretical Physics. Frankly I am unsure about what I should do and am having a dilemma over this.There are various reasons why I feel I should switch to Physics, and other reasons why I feel sticking with chemeng may be the wiser option. I am not asking you to make a decision for me, but I would be grateful if you could answer to the best of your abillity/insight the following questions: Which of the subjects would provide better career prospects and make you more employable? Which of the subjects would train you better at becoming a good problem solver? Which degree would you say is more challenging? Can physicists compete with engineers, for jobs in the engineering sector?

Hi Severian, I suppose I am a bt late to reply to your post, but I am pretty surprised you have 1st year physics students(I assume they are) who haven't heard of differentiation. I know 1st years can be pretty dopey(I am one myself:embarass: ), but these ppl shud have studied differentiation and integration as it is still on the A level and AS level syllabus, and the core math modules are compulsory.

I think its interesting you say this because if this law/rule was extended to nonjews who's ancestry goes back to israel, then every Palestinian would be able to immigrate become an Israeli citizen:D . Perhaps if such a law was passed, we could be well on our way to a single state solution(As insane and dangerously idealistic as that may sound), and perhaps this would be a major turning point.

As much as I do not like Ahmadinejad, suspect him and perceive him as a potential danger to long term stabillity in the region and the world; this is equally tempered by the fact I do ponder about how much power he really yields. I think with a country like Iran attention has to be payed to the higher level religious leaders, especially Ayatollah Khamenei. We should really try to diagnose the intentions and directions that are being taken by these ppl, as they have ultimate authority over what is done by the country.

I like the sound of that one YT. Out of the ones I've seen so far, I'd go for that name. I too share Woelen's concerns, and I think his idea is a good one. Perhaps once a new member registers on the other site, they could similiarly be offered the option of registering here?

I think I was first dismayed at the closure of the P and R forum, as I wanted to discuss and give my input on recent events, yet couldn't. I did not want to piss of the moderators, so I avoided by posting religion related threads in other areas. I'm glad to say though, that I am a little enthusiastic about this new Religion forum, although I do have a few qualms about whether this will be able to attract as many posters. Therefore, I make a suggestion which you may assess of your own will; Perhaps a permanent link could be provided to this alternative forum on this site, leading to a different website with clear conditions and guidelines on the expectations of the nature of debate on such a forum. Perhaps others who feel themselves dedicated to healthy, logical discussion on the subject area of religion could be appointed to help moderate that forum.

I see... I'm afraid I was mistaken into thinking Hamas had declared a voluntary ceasefire, which had only been dropped this year in light of the recent escalation in hostillities. They declared they would pursue a 10 year ceasefire if Israel withdrew to the 1967 borders, but did not recognise its right to exist. Unsurprisingly, Israel rejected such an offer. Sometimes when hearing about what is happenning to the world and how it is changing in such a bewildering, unfathomable and often horrible way; makes me feel like withdrawing into an isolated place and becoming a hermit. But then I shake off the thought and think how pathetic such an action would be. We must be the change we wish to see in the world.

I agree. I got Platoon, like a lot of ppl here. I suppose I've become more cautious over the years...

that's really cool:-) ! How did u do that?

It's interesting, you seem to be having similiar thoughts to me in terms of direct democracy. I think Athenian democracy itself actually had every citizen(meaning adult male) vote on every decision to be made; thereby avoiding the need for a parliament, senate or congress. The only problem I can forsee which such a system, is that it is held hostage to the mindset of ppls,and if this can be manipulated by external forces; then so can the country.

granted, but you forgot where the spot is. I wish I could do complex maths mentally. you're too quick for me phi! granted, but you have to persuade your logic to persuade them first.

I understand that and I did originally try doing this work using latex and by making a PDF. I found it quite hard to use though and didnt have time to learn how to use it properly; thereby I decided to use Ms Word and mathtype to do this work as I was more accustomed to using them. It's interesting you say this, as I do not have Ms Word installed on the labtop I am currently using so I cannot view my own work either!

I'm glad you liked it:-) . I was hoping a few more ppl would have looked at it by now and given me some feedback by now tho....

This seems pretty intriguing, it would be interesting to see how the theory develops over time, and what predictions it can make.

congratulations and well done:-)

Hi everybody. I guess I just feel like I should make a contribution to this website, and now I have such an oppurtunity; and have attached a piece of work to this thread. I did this coursework a while back called an "Introduction to Quantum theory", where I covered and eleaborated on the initial steps covered in the development of the theory and its logical origins. I would not say this is an excellent piece of work, but as I have received my A level results; I feel no inhibitions about posting this now(I was a little concerned if the exam board would raise a word or too). I hope this helps anyone interested in the subject, and I apologise in advance if it is a little hard to follow at times. I had to limit the essay to 4000 words(though I did exceed that slightly), and I could not cover as much as initially wanted to. I also don't think I was competent enough to cover more than the first 20 years of QT. I hope you like it! Introduction to Quantum theory.doc

I have no idea whether the brain or the muscles of the chimpanzee(or both) are responsible for this deficiency. However I think it is higly plausible that humans have traded weakness for precision in their muscles; especially in the hands. Most importantly I think it is the fact we have the 4 fingers and a thumb that have helped us out the most. This would critcal in the first forms of tool making and operating and has continued to remain important to us. For example, dolphins may be blessed with bigger brains than us, but we have been enabled to advance because of the versatillity we are provided with by our hands.

I think I'm in a similiar situation, except for the fact that I have picked an engineering course, but I'm having cold feet before joining University, and have been thinking about switching to Theoretical Physics. I think Job oppurtunities in Engineering depend on the field. Personally I think for employment potential and financial security electrical/electronic and chemical engineering are the best; although others may beg to differ. Physics is a highly valued qualification to have in many other fields, and so you don't necessarily have to be involved with research or engineering if you're a physics graduate. I think the main thing is, when you're a physics graduate; you have to be able to convince yourself and others of your potential value. My Physics teacher once told me there were more physicists working in the city(meaning financial area) than economists. Money is obviously a big motivation for the course you pick, but above all your interest and drive for a subject has to come first. If I had to pick between the 2, I would go for the latter. With ambition, determination and dilligence you can achieve anything, so money need not be a major worry. I see you're interested in Quantum physics, dimensional physics and other interesting areas(personally I have developed a little bit of disdain for string theory). If you're interested, and still want to do engineering; there is actually a quantum engineering course at the University of Tokyo you may be interested in. I think it is the only curse of its kind in the world. You may have to learn Japanese first though:-p .

The area was picked by Zionist political movements long before either of the world wars. The holocaust perhaps helped gain a little momentum for the formation of the state of Israel, but was by no means what caused it to form(unlike how Ahmadinejad naively thinks it caused it). More specifically, it made the populaces of countries like Britain more sympathetic to the formation of Israel, causing its government to comply;, even when its embassies were being bombed and soldiers taken hostage and executed. Movements like Irgun certainly did not help the cause of the formation of Israel, but it carried on regardless.

Such a force does not exist at the moment, but couldn't one be trained and geared specifically towards the role of peacekeeping, in all conditions? I think such a thing would take a very long time to impliment effectively. Experience would need to be gained at all levels, for the organisation to become effective, while good research in volatile areas would help prepare forces for employment. Oops, my mistake, I forgot.

I doubt anyone will even have heard of this, but I think Topological Gemotrodynamics could be looked at as a potential alternative theory. I confess I have nowhere near the knowledge required to properly scrutinize this but others may be interested in having a look at it. I think perhaps the best introduction would be to look at a collection of Emails he has had with an MIT student concerning his theory here: http://web.mit.edu/spatrick/www/matti.html

The guerilla tactics employed by Hezbollah, does not necessarily make them cowards, from their prespective they are probably the most pragmatic choice of tactics to use against the IDF. Incidentally Jewish resistance groups used very similiar tactics against British forces in the years preceding Israeli independence. Also the Tamil tigers are also doing the same thing now in Sri Lanka, and have been doing this for decades(I dont think anyone has even cared to mention this on this forum). I'd say in Sri Lanka the situation is even worse as the government resorts to calling airstrikes on its own territory, and in the process; killing its own ppl to destroy training camps.

I'm glad Phil Aderson can see string theory for what it is. As for the opening article, if this going to now be used as a measure of creativity; couldnt it be easily exploited by ppl who increase their citations and lower their number of references arbitrarily in order to advance their careers? IMO this creativity scale should not be adopted and perhaps be just one time only.