So you want to learn physics (second edition, 2021)

That is, the reason the weak nuclear force has limited range in our "vacuum" seems identical to the reason the electromagnetic force has limited range in an electric superconductor. Therefore we live in a weak nuclear superconductor. Whatever that means.

(Furthermore and even weirder, the electromagnetic force is a shadow of the weak nuclear force, the one-dimensional projection of it that retains an unlimited range even inside the superconductor, which happens because of reasons)

Re: So you want to learn physics (second edition, 2021)

#7

Post by potbelly83 » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:05 AM UTC

I have no idea why these sorts of posts are popular. Past college you're not going to learn physics by trying to self-study an entire university course. The best way to learn is just to pick a small part of physics you'd like to learn (preferably related to your job), i.e. how GPS work or some fluid mechanics etc... Then learn the physics you need for that. Knowledge accumulation can't be organized in a straight line, it happens non-linearly and generally builds upon small wins that are useful for you.

Re: So you want to learn physics (second edition, 2021)

#8

Post by xpct » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:21 AM UTC

potbelly83 wrote: post #7

I have no idea why these sorts of posts are popular. Past college you're not going to learn physics by trying to self-study an entire university course. The best way to learn is just to pick a small part of physics you'd like to learn (preferably related to your job), i.e. how GPS work or some fluid mechanics etc... Then learn the physics you need for that. Knowledge accumulation can't be organized in a straight line…

I think it's useful for learning about unknown unknowns. If you don't have a clear direction, it's entirely fine to start with a university course then stop when you get a feeling for what you really need.

Re: So you want to learn physics (second edition, 2021)

#9

Post by dinkumthinkum » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:55 AM UTC

potbelly83 wrote: post #7

I have no idea why these sorts of posts are popular. Past college you're not going to learn physics by trying to self-study an entire university course. The best way to learn is just to pick a small part of physics you'd like to learn (preferably related to your job), i.e. how GPS work or some fluid mechanics etc... Then learn the physics you need for that. Knowledge accumulation can't be organized in a straight line…

I think there is more in this world than is dreamt of in your philosophy. The crowd on HN now is very different than it used to be rest assured there are many people self-teach themselves the equivalent of a university curriculum. I mean, nerds actually exists, they're not all humdrum corpo worker bees trying the maximize their employers' value and then just hiking or whatever.

Re: So you want to learn physics (second edition, 2021)

#10

Post by j7ake » Mon, Jul 13, 2026, 1:56 AM UTC

potbelly83 wrote: post #7

I have no idea why these sorts of posts are popular. Past college you're not going to learn physics by trying to self-study an entire university course. The best way to learn is just to pick a small part of physics you'd like to learn (preferably related to your job), i.e. how GPS work or some fluid mechanics etc... Then learn the physics you need for that. Knowledge accumulation can't be organized in a straight line…

The analogy seems to be like learning classical music (like piano or violin) after as an adult.

You learn the basics like scales and chords to build and build to modern jazz.

But if you’re an adult, life is too short, just go straight to a few pieces you like. Get a simplified version and learn the bits you need from there from a teacher.