[Science Finds God]

I saw it a few minutes ago and I'm quite puzzled. I mean, even if I buy into the premise that there is only one core value, why logic? Or rather, what do they mean by logic? Logic itself, to me, is a means, not a value. It is a tool for clasification, exploring consequences, and decision making.

But maybe, what they really mean, is understanding. I'm a scientist, I can appreciate that. But understanding is not a driving force of a whole personality, although hey, yes, following curiosity certainly feels good. Logic is not a driving force of society.

Or maybe, this disociation thing is a similar effect as some psychedelics Leo talks about which allow you to get a glimps of the bigger picture. And they provide you an explanation which fits with their rational mind in advance. 

If they said "we'll help you align with your wish to contribute to society/happyness of people", I'd be more interested. But maybe that's the unspoken end behind using the means of logic. 

They probably did some amaizing work, but I am puzzled by the "explanation". Maybe I'll understand better if I do read up. 

[Shifting My Story - Working With Anxiety Around School/work]

Hello, 

sorry, this ended up being long O:)

I'd like to hear some advice from you folks on how to deal with crippling anxiety around exams. It's actually funny because I'm a little old to be new to this - I've already past my Master's and entering phd.

Now, I'm really excited about starting phd. I finally get to work on real open scientific problems and it seems I'm good enough to actually contribute. I've done some work with my supervisor already which I am proud of and eager to do calculations on a new thing I'm starting now. During my studies the assignments were rarely fun and interesting enough to make me actually want to work on them each day let alone give me a sence of purpose, but open problems and collaboration with other people are. 

Trouble is, although my anxiety in general is improving, it seems my issues on the topic of studying got worse, not better over the past years and I still have a few more exams to do. I've already achieved so much (my Master's in theoretical physics was really hard), why would I be anxious? Well there is one good reason. I acnowledge I was a mediocre student at best in my field. I mostly struggled with the huge amount of stuff to learn, which didn't really give me the time or practice required to understand the subjects in-depth, and inconsistent motivation. As a result I sometimes struggle with stuff that could be considered basic. Having said all that, I know I studied to the best of my abilities at that time. 

My anxiety peaked at the time of my final exam, when instead of preparation I just spent half the time totally fear-paralyzed. I only went through about half of the stuff I passed due to sheer benevolence of the examiners. Since then, I was supposed to take one more exam, and anxiety returned enhanced by the fact that the examiner was my supervisor. I wasn't able to really start studying although the stuff was rather interesting. 

Now, the exams that are before me are in fact much easier then those I've achieved in the past. There is no reason why I should not be able to do them. I do have the background. But the mere thought of sitting down and studying with a deadline on my mind, or the thought of the volume of stuff I'm supposed to learn give me a crippeling cramp in my stomach. I've got a full blown selffulfilling prophecy going (fear of not being able to study leading to not being able to study leading to fear..., rinse repeat), and I have a real problem finding a way to turn it around, because it's so strong already. Also a part of it si, that I don't want to do these exams per se, I just have to get through them to finally do the science I want to do (exam-free!). 

I've watched my anxiety  (so many times actually) and I know there are some backstories. The fears to it of not being good or capable enough (to pass the competition in my field, to support myself financially at all, to go to work like a normal person despite my past mental helth problems) seem to be rather subsiding with both the inner work I've already done on feeling better, and the outer circumstance of finding a good spot for my phd and getting some income however small. It seems weird to me that the anxiety on this topic is staying so strong, even getting stronger. 

I want to view myself as someone, who is capable of studying whatever. I want my preparation for exams to be as effortless as my work on open problems feels. I want to take confidence in my abilities again, the type I had when I came from highschool believing that I'm good on the subject and will surely do it. 

Any tips on how to start untangling the problem? How to work with strong, specific anxiety? How to shift my story? 

[Why Is Not Going To College A Strategic Blunder?]

On 7. 11. 2016 at 3:19 AM, TeenVisionary98 said:

In my mind, this would make not going to college a strategic blunder in circumstances where you need certain credentials in order to be qualified in your given field. Yet, I know Leo is very wise and talks about stuff he has really studied. What do you all think?

I think, for most people, college buys them more time to build foundation. You will probably still be partly supported by your parents, which can be good or bad, but is giving you more time to study the things you are being tought in college, the things you just want to study, and the things you encounter as a byproduct (like interesting people or hobbies). I think, that Leo says it's a blunder not to go to college, because most people who decide to skip it close their opportunities to support themselves financially and otherwise - they just take on a job and here they are, a lot of the free time they could have had to educate themselves is gone. 

If you choose a major that is interesting to you for the subject itself, not a for the money or social credit it can give you, you will benefit from getting a broad view over a subject, which may transfer to all areas of life. Now, I think there are two possible approaches: I have studied physics, which is directly necessary for building my carrier. I am glad to have a broad background and stable base in my subject. Or, you could choose something that is actually complementary to your carrier. I imagine even one year of some good social science studies will transform your worldview. In general, I find that dwelling deep into more then one subject (and more then one subculture) in life is extremely beneficial.

I'm not saying you have to choose college. College could also hinder you by feeding you some paradigm you in fact do not want, although I think it's not that likely in your case. You say you already know what you want to do, and that is great (maybe you're even ahead of me despite being 10 years younger, so my advice is totally misplaced :)). I think the only danger you run into by starting right away is going full steam into this one direction just to find out it's not it and then having greater difficulty changing track. (If you look at Leo, he change his carrier not once but three times, right? It happens.) I think at your age it is extremely likely that your direction will still change, so I guess my conclusion is: study something general, work on something specific. Or maybe... just don't close your options, you know? Make an agreement with your mom that you'll work for a year now on whatever you see as your life pourpose now, and see how that feels. If you find yourself immersed in the specifics lossing the big picture? Go to college next year.

[Did Anyone Purchase The Ultimate Life Purpose Course?]

Is the course useful even if I don't intend to start a business? I am just starting a phd in theoretical physics, so that pretty much means I will be staying in accademia.