leeirons

I have reviewed the posts since my last post (#31). There are many built-in assumptions to what people are saying. Consider what you might be assuming by what you are saying. It is there where you will find fodder for improvement of the theory and the basis for experimentation.

Insane Alien has made a proposal on the theory. The key now (to the development of the theory) is to build on this, and not tear it down with all or nothing comments. I recommend discussing everything from the position of THIS statement of theory, and ADJUSTING the statement as necessary toward the end of obtaining a majority AGREEMENT withn the group. If Insane Alien is completely wrong in the statement, that will play out in the discussion and adjustment of the statement. In the end, the building statement we end up with might look completely different. Now the discussion can continue. Don't lose sight of this first statement. Return, review, and adjust as necessary every so often.

I am not a biologist, neurologist, or psychologist, but I do know a little bit about science. It seems to me, we first need at least three things before we can proceed with answering the question: 1. Agree on a definition of “knowing pain” 2. Make sure the definition is measurable: without a measurable theoretical quantity, we can never collect data to prove a hypothesis; we are still left speculating 3. Make a hypothesis and propose an experiment by which is would be proven (whether or not we have the technology yet to do it the experiement) Without these three things, the discussion will stay in the metaphysical realm, and we will not be able to proceed toward answering the original question.

The sooner you get that first "real job" with "real pay" (i.e. more than $20k) in your chosen profession, the sooner you will be able to start long-term investing, and the sooner you will reach self-sufficiency (i.e. able to focus more on what you want to do, as opposed to what you need to earn). You can't get that first "real job" without the degree (unless you plan on pulling a "Bill Gates" and being your own boss, or a "Mother Theresa" and taking a vow of poverty.) In the end, your degree will cost about the same in money, whether you get it fast or slow. However, by taking the slow route, you are spending life years delaying your profession. The trade-off, in my mind, is not worth it. If you really know what you want, and the degree to take to get there, get the degree ASAP. Experience while in college is important, so go for internships, even if they provide more experience than money. Also, make sure you give yourself a good reality check every week or so. It is very easy to get diverted down the wrong path, especially in the liberal arts and sciences, especially when you have been in the college/university environment for an extended period. I am a 43 year old with a Masters in Physics, working in a staff engineering position. Some might consider my position to be impressive (helping to design the next generation aircraft carrier propulsion plant), but it is actually pretty boring. I dream of physics. I taught physics at a local college, 4 nights a week for 3 years, just to be "in touch." Through this work, I rubbed elbows with people doing research in physics. I have been offered research positions at government labs if I would go back into a PhD program. Alas, I can't afford to go without my paycheck, now. I have lots of bills (though my student loans are paid off), and 5 kids with their futures to consider. My time has passed. Why didn't I get my PhD 20 years ago? I got distracted. I was writing and running major tournaments of AD&D at the world's largest gaming convention, as well as running a local gaming organization of a few hundred people. I was having fun with friends, with my mind off in the fantasy realms. I was skiing in Colorado and Utah, and sun-bathing in Florida. Give yourself a good reality check every week or so. Fantasy is not life.

(Please participate as soon as possible, but no later than January 25, 2008. Please copy and forward this message by email to other people who you know, and ask them to forward it, also. I need to have a few hundred people participate to obtain valid results for my science fair project.) The purpose of this message is to request your participation in an online survey that I am conducting for a science fair project. I am conducting research on a disease known as Marfan syndrome. The survey is a medical questionnaire, similar to what you would fill out on a first visit to a doctor, though it does start out with questions related to whether you have been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE MARFAN SYNDROME TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY. As a control group for the study, I need to have a few hundred people who DO NOT have Marfan syndrome participate in the survey. To participate in this study, you must be 18 years older. Please click on the following link to start your survey. http://www.AdvancedSurvey.com/default.asp?SurveyID=58017 You must have cookies enabled on your browser. If you do not, an instruction will appear in your browser window when you click on this link that tells you how to enable cookies. Please have every adult in the household participate by completing separate surveys. A new survey can be started every time you click on the above link. As background, I am a 17-year-old high school student, majoring in biochemistry at the Governor’s School for Science and Technology in Hampton, Virginia. I am planning on having a career in the medical field. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Derek Irons