::14 big ideas & life lessons from physics::
At 33, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics
I’m not a great mathematician, but the physics concepts were easy to get because so many of them were analogous to life
Here are 12 of the most poignant, profound, & useful:
At 33, I graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics
I’m not a great mathematician, but the physics concepts were easy to get because so many of them were analogous to life
Here are 12 of the most poignant, profound, & useful:
1) Like charges repel. Opposites attract
The more similar you are, the less necessary one of you is. There will also be subtle competition that undermines the relationship.
It’s not so much that opposites attract. It's more that they don’t impede and infringe upon one another
The more similar you are, the less necessary one of you is. There will also be subtle competition that undermines the relationship.
It’s not so much that opposites attract. It's more that they don’t impede and infringe upon one another
2) Gravity is the weakest force but it’s the only one that affects EVERYTHING
A weak force that affects everything is better than a strong one that affects a few
It’s often better to be on good terms with everyone than on great terms with a few & horrible ones with the others
A weak force that affects everything is better than a strong one that affects a few
It’s often better to be on good terms with everyone than on great terms with a few & horrible ones with the others
3) Newton's laws of motion also apply to human behavior
1st law: People don’t act unless pushed or stop unless interrupted
2nd law: Force of influence=intention of attempt*importance of attempter
3rd law: Every social movement has an equal and opposite countermovement
1st law: People don’t act unless pushed or stop unless interrupted
2nd law: Force of influence=intention of attempt*importance of attempter
3rd law: Every social movement has an equal and opposite countermovement
4) Relativity: two observers can witness the same thing, disagree, and both be correct
The “what” of a situation is rarely under debate.
People are more often arguing about the future impact, current intent, and past factors that lead to things now.
The “what” of a situation is rarely under debate.
People are more often arguing about the future impact, current intent, and past factors that lead to things now.
5) Heisenberg's uncertainty on success
The more certain you are of the outcome, the easier it will be to attain.
The more difficult the process, the more incredible the success will be.
The more certain you are of the outcome, the easier it will be to attain.
The more difficult the process, the more incredible the success will be.
6) If you want more energy, move faster, do more, or push yourself further
All forms of energy are a function of velocity, distance, or mass.
If you want more energy, it’s not always about resting. Sometimes you have to do more.
You lack energy because you won’t expend it.
All forms of energy are a function of velocity, distance, or mass.
If you want more energy, it’s not always about resting. Sometimes you have to do more.
You lack energy because you won’t expend it.
7) If two people coordinate on the same frequency, their output is much greater than the sum of the parts
When you link up with a person who is on your same frequency, you’re able to accomplish more than the sum of your parts.
This holds true for all relationships.
1+1=7
When you link up with a person who is on your same frequency, you’re able to accomplish more than the sum of your parts.
This holds true for all relationships.
1+1=7
8) It doesn't matter how much energy you exert—if nothing moves, no work is done
Work is a function of distance. If there is 0 displacement, there is 0 work done—no matter how much force is applied
Even physics recognizes the difference between being busy and making progress.
Work is a function of distance. If there is 0 displacement, there is 0 work done—no matter how much force is applied
Even physics recognizes the difference between being busy and making progress.
9) Moving at the same speed is effectively sitting still. Step it up or go home.
Zero acceleration occurs in two situations: an object isn’t moving or an object moves at a constant speed.
Force is also a function of acceleration. Without it, you may as well be doing nothing.
Zero acceleration occurs in two situations: an object isn’t moving or an object moves at a constant speed.
Force is also a function of acceleration. Without it, you may as well be doing nothing.
10) Sometimes the fastest path isn't the same thing as the shortest distance.
Water and electricity take the path of least resistance, even if it isn’t the shortest one.
For many things worth doing, the hard way is actually the easiest.
Water and electricity take the path of least resistance, even if it isn’t the shortest one.
For many things worth doing, the hard way is actually the easiest.
11) Potential is useless until there's movement. If you ain't making progress, you may as well be dead.
In theory, anything with mass has energy. But until it’s put to use, it doesn’t matter.
“Not doing” is indistinguishable from “can’t do” and the results are similar
In theory, anything with mass has energy. But until it’s put to use, it doesn’t matter.
“Not doing” is indistinguishable from “can’t do” and the results are similar
12) 100% efficiency is impossible. But quite a lot can be accomplished if you prepare for it.
There will always be waste. The goal is to minimize it.
And if you’re clever, you can do a lot with it elsewhere.
There will always be waste. The goal is to minimize it.
And if you’re clever, you can do a lot with it elsewhere.
13) Necessity isn't always the mother of invention. Sometimes it's curiosity
That’s a catchy saying, but most of the advances in physics have come because people were simply interested in learning more.
You can do a lot when you’re forced, but even more when you’re motivated.
That’s a catchy saying, but most of the advances in physics have come because people were simply interested in learning more.
You can do a lot when you’re forced, but even more when you’re motivated.
14) Most things are amoral. The same concept can power a city--or level it.
The same body of knowledge that allowed Hiroshima and Nagasaki to be leveled also powers satellites and cities.
It’s not what it is. It’s what you do with it that matters.
The same body of knowledge that allowed Hiroshima and Nagasaki to be leveled also powers satellites and cities.
It’s not what it is. It’s what you do with it that matters.
If you enjoyed any part of this thread, RT it to share the perspective with someone else.
If you dug this, follow me @edlatimore for solid takes and threads.
Much love.
If you dug this, follow me @edlatimore for solid takes and threads.
Much love.
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