Scientists have recently discovered an enormous black hole that is equivalent in mass to 18 Billion Suns, and is orbited by another black hole with a mass of 100 million suns. We don’t have to worry about it sucking us up anytime soon, though, because it is about 3.5 Billion light years away.
So, why do I tell you this?
- One reason is that I like sharing things that fascinate me, and this fascinates me. When I think about something like this, I realize that we have learned a lot about our universe, but I also realize that there is so much we do not know. The theoretical study of black holes, like the study of the origin of our universe (cosmology), involves trying to combine two theories that do not merge well at all: general relativity and quantum mechanics. It is humbling to me that our best scientific brains have worked for decades on a way to merge these theories, and we do not seem to be much closer to doing so than when we started.
- A second reason: we talk a lot about time management, but we really do not know what time is. I am reminded of that when I read about general relativity, which has demonstrated that space and time are intertwined into a space-time geometry. Among other things, this means that both space and time are significantly warped near a black hole. Fascinating stuff! Scientists have speculated more than once that time does not even exist: it is, instead, more of an illusion.
- The final and most importatnt reason is that I believe we should all broaden our interests and our education.
Research is continuing to show that it is important that we exercise our brains throughout our lives. That is one of the reasons I try to delve as deeply as I can into subjects such as cosmology, philosophy of mind, and theology. It can be frustrating because there are so many “correct but conflicting” theories in each of these areas, and it makes one wonder if we will ever really understand any of these subjects all that well. But, they are fascinating subjects and studying them keeps my brain from dying a slow death of laziness.
Hence, if you haven’t broadened your interests outside of your level of comfort, I encourage you to do so. I believe you will be thanking yourself for it many years from now.
I have a habit of buying way too many books in the areas that I like to study. There are more economic ways of studying without spending as much money on it as I have done. Certainly, the local library is one way of reducing the cost. But, there is also so much on the internet, including free college courses. For example, Lifehacker does a good review of this.
I can hear you now “Keener, that’s fine for a retired guy like you, but I don’t have the time for it.” Just so you know, I made time for this before I retired. Interestingly, I have not made not made as much time for it after I retired as I thought I would, but I am remedying that. I believe you can make the time for it, too, and I believe it is very important to do so.
One way to expand your mind without setting aside a “new block of time” is to use your daily commute to listen to course material. Some of you probably already listen to some mind-expanding material, such as audio versions of various motivational material. But, you can also listen to college coursework. We have mentioned before, for example, that you can get some college coursework for your iPod from universities as prestigious as Stanford:
Note that these are free.
Ideally, you would approach a new topic by going at it in depth. This would exercise your mind more than a surface examination of a new topic. And, in addition to going at it in depth, you can further strengthen your mind by challenging it with actual exercises and exams, instead of just reading and comprehending.
But, while a less-structured and more informal approach will not exercise you as much, it is beneficial. For example, you could subscribe to Scientific American or Psychology Today, or some other publication that would take you beyond your normal modes of thought.
Of course there are additional things you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as good nutrition and adequate sleep. Perhaps you have some additional suggestions, too.
Are you doing enough to keep your brain adequately challenged? Or, does work seem to over-challenge it as it is? Your thoughts?
Amen to using commute time! I currently spend over an hour per day in the car. I redeem that time with books on CD. My county library system allows me to have any item sent to my nearest library for 50ยข. I first read David Allen’s Getting Things Done this way. I like to switch between classics and educational books. My most recent selections were The Iliad and Great Ideas of Philosophy. If I finish a book before I have the next one ready, I sometimes turn on the radio, but I quickly regret it. Last time, NPR was discussing whether Hillary Clinton’s campaign had left a tip for a waitress. No more talk radio drivel for me; from now on, I control what I listen to.
You’ll really like controlling what you listen to in a commute, Jeremy. I have not listened to my car radio in almost 2 years! I love controlling what I listen to. And, sometimes I like taking advantage of just having quiet time.