Waiting for Godot

[Spinor]

Alright, since it looks like I'll probably be back, at least to be lurking, I should go ahead and do this.

My real name is Humberto. Some of you previously know me as AdvancedK47. I'm a high school senior going on to college. My school is specialized in science and technology, but I'm so advanced in my math and science coursework that I'm independently studying real analysis and quantum mechanics, but I also have to take crap like AP art and Spanish literature. Looks like I'll be a double major in mathematics and physics, but I'll tell you when I get there.

I live in the southern extremes of the kinda-sorta-great state of Texas. Most of the people here are Mexican. I was born in Mexico, but I don't consider myself Mexican. I'll prefer to refer to myself as Texan. If I ever become naturalized, I'll gladly be American. (Though honestly, it'd be fun if I could also be British.)

I'm an atheist, a godless heathen. Used to be Catholic. I whined about this in my blog like a confused sissy. In short, I don't believe a strong scientific mindset is compatible with faith. This is one of the reasons I don't consider myself Mexican. Guadalupe virgin this, day of the dead that… it's all just superstition to me.

I'm an introverted and private person, primarily since all I juggle in my mind is math or physics problems or just absolute timewasters like CyberNations or Comedy Central… ok fine I'll admit, My Little Pony and Doctor Who too. I'm hardly the kind of fan who shows off though….

Well sometimes I like to show off my quantum physics books to the ladies, but yeah, that sure's ****ing working. I don't think I've had a girlfriend in two years. I'm too tall and intimidating. And maybe a bit of a dumbass around cute girls. All that time in front of a book doesn't do social skills well.

And that's about me. I guess this is the part where you ask me anything.

 

[derozio]

Hey there. First off, rare to find someone who's actually so into maths and physics! What about those subjects do you like so much? :3 And ooh, you're into quantum physics. I'm curious, though, what's your curriculum? Can you give me a run down of the topics you have to go through so I can see if I can identify some of it and perhaps, if I know anything about it, we can talk? :p

also, too bad you gotta take art and spanish even though you don't like it. I'm sort of in a similar boat now. I'm not a fan of chemistry. I only wanna have and study computer science. Doesn't make sense to force me to study chem if I'll be a software engineer. But indian colleges are just like that. Making us learn chem as a compulsory subject for us to get into good colleges. ;_____;

 

[Spinor]

Hey there. First off, rare to find someone who's actually so into maths and physics! What about those subjects do you like so much? :3 And ooh, you're into quantum physics. I'm curious, though, what's your curriculum? Can you give me a run down of the topics you have to go through so I can see if I can identify some of it and perhaps, if I know anything about it, we can talk? :p

I just had the kind of education where I was constantly exposed to science, and I have very good elementary teachers to thank. My childhood interest was astronomy. I didn't think I had any significant math skills until my middle school teacher supported me, and I later ended up taking algebra in 7th grade. At this point it was natural I gained interest in physics. I just find thrill in the logical structure and "inerrancy" of mathematical elements, and how they can be applied to not only solve problems but accurately describe how the gears of the universe turn, you know. Though science is fundamentally models, physics has the purest of models.

Boy, I use a lot of books that don't all have the same topic. So far I've covered the basic stuff like linear algebra, postulates, schrödinger equation, a few 1D solutions, and the harmonic oscillator. I did an interesting side project on quantum coupled harmonic oscillators over the summer. With school my studies have been sporadic at times, so I need to tie loose ends, make sure I can solve an average MIT level problem, then move on to what my main book covers, which is apparently symmetries and angular momentum. After that should be spin and the hydrogen atom. That should just about cover a year of undergrad qm with some graduate topics.

also, too bad you gotta take art and spanish even though you don't like it. I'm sort of in a similar boat now. I'm not a fan of chemistry. I only wanna have and study computer science. Doesn't make sense to force me to study chem if I'll be a software engineer. But indian colleges are just like that. Making us learn chem as a compulsory subject for us to get into good colleges. ;_____;

Actually, it's not like I *had* to take the classes, I just literally about ran out of classes to take at my school with no chance of getting study hall periods. My principal's a bit of an ******* with my advanced standing. Must be a blow to his ego that his school is boring me.

It's not like you're taking physical chemistry or polymers though. A good variety of science knowledge is worthwhile. Can't say I feel the same about literature or history.