How can I have the ability to read modern papers on Theoretical Physics?

[aaronash]

As a friend on this forum suggests, I just want to " have the ability to read modern papers and perhaps make some contribution to the field with no monetary compensation".

 

I graduated with bachelor of computer science, and with a master of finance after.

 

However, I find my curiosity for the universe and life is not saturated with the job I am doing ( IT and finance stuff, which is simple compared to theoretical physics ).

 

I want to understand the modern theoretical physics to understand this world.

 

Says, for example, I am 26 now, will I be able to read and understand modern theoretical physics papers, through self-studying theoretical physics in my spare time? I can learn continuously, until my brain is too old to understand such complicated stuff.

 

I fear that the brains of human beings function less well as I am getting old, as the majority of physics scientists achieve their breakthroughs when they are young. I am afraid I will become too old to understand the modern theoretical physics before I can understand them.

 

Thank in advance for your help!

Edited April 4, 2016 by aaronash

[Mordred]

Yeah through diligence and effort one can gain a very comprehensive understanding. However there is no easy route.

 

Judging from your background you probably have a decent math background so that definetely helps.

 

I found the biggest help outside a university was to buy the textbooks.

 

When I ran into a problem with a particular section of a textbook I could ask for forum help.

 

Next is digging up specific PEER reviewed articles. They help supplement the textbooks and vise versa.

 

The textbooks give you a handle on what is considered main stream.

 

If you are interested in a particular field first let us know, I can certainly offer resources and recommendations on good quality textbooks.

 

Some understanding of your math skills will help on the recommended material.

[fiveworlds]

 

 

I fear that the brains of human beings function less well as I am getting old, as the majority of physics scientists achieve their breakthroughs when they are young. I am afraid I will become too old to understand the modern theoretical physics before I can understand them.

Yeah I worry about getting old too. There is so many things I had planned to do like travel the world which I may never get to do. Certainly paying rent and work comes before travel. The brain has fairly good memory up until your 60s though unless you have some form of illness. Edited April 4, 2016 by hypervalent_iodine
fixed quote tags

[Mordred]

I've always felt if you keep exercising your brain it will have a better chance staying healthy. I'm on my late 40's and I'm still studying numerous textbooks. I've probably read and studied well over a hundred diligently.

Edited April 4, 2016 by Mordred

[Klaynos]

I would suggest looking at "free time" distance learning courses. In the UK we have the open university. It's really flexible and has a good reputation.

[Strange]

Says, for example, I am 26 now, will I be able to read and understand modern theoretical physics papers, through self-studying theoretical physics in my spare time? I can learn continuously, until my brain is too old to understand such complicated stuff.

 

Someone as young as you should be able to make good progress - with some hard work. What puts me off a more rigorous study is not just the hard work involved but also the fact I probably don't have enough time (or brain cells) left to get very far!

 

Gerard 't Hooft has a good page (now a website) on the subjects you need to study, with some sources: http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~gadda001/goodtheorist/

Edited April 4, 2016 by Strange

[swansont]

Realistically, you need to get up to speed in advanced physics. I work with several other PhDs. and we have a "journal club" meeting on weeks when all (or most) of us are present. This is for papers related to our field. Atomic clock papers are usually fairly straightforward, but for subjects a little further off our specialty it sometimes takes us getting our heads together to decipher what's going on.

[StringJunky]

Realistically, you need to get up to speed in advanced physics. I work with several other PhDs. and we have a "journal club" meeting on weeks when all (or most) of us are present. This is for papers related to our field. Atomic clock papers are usually fairly straightforward, but for subjects a little further off our specialty it sometimes takes us getting our heads together to decipher what's going on.

When you get to your level, the area of expertise becomes smaller and more specialised, doesn't it? It's unlikely you can venture far, at the same level, into other specialties.

[swansont]

When you get to your level, the area of expertise becomes smaller and more specialised, doesn't it? It's unlikely you can venture far, at the same level, into other specialties.

 

 

Yes, pretty much. There are subtleties abut any sub-field of physics, so while I can get the gist of a lot of topics, I will get lost in the specifics. And research papers are all about the specifics.

 

Something that comes up in discussion here is that there is a certain base knowledge that makes discussion easier (or possible). For research papers, that assumed knowledge is significantly more advanced.

[StringJunky]

 

 

Yes, pretty much. There are subtleties abut any sub-field of physics, so while I can get the gist of a lot of topics, I will get lost in the specifics. And research papers are all about the specifics.

 

Something that comes up in discussion here is that there is a certain base knowledge that makes discussion easier (or possible). For research papers, that assumed knowledge is significantly more advanced.

I remember a PM a conversation with Dr R. He said he was an expert in only a very tiny area of physics... by his standards of what constituted an expert. When one listens to people like him, yourself, and others of the same level, for a while, one realises many people are quite naive what it takes to make a dent in the modern scientific knowledge base.

[aaronash]

Thank you all a lot! I benefit much from it.