sorry this is so late, Im fighting a cold, catching up on reading, and finally got around to visiting your "other" journal ;)
I love the idea of science as autobiography. We call it "mesearch" since it's what we all do. There was actually a study done on personal interest correlating with research interest - I've always been curious what that says about those researchers :D
any boook of Lem's you would recommend? I keep trying to read his stuff and havent quite gotten "there" yet. Let me know what you think if you get a minute, I'd appreciate it!
welcome, welcome :) It's actually interesting to look at an older review, since I don't often go back to read them. Geez, I was so much more eloquent then compared to now ;)
'Mesearch' is an interesting topic - maybe saying that evolution is just about passing on genes and base drives is what helps the scientists sleep better at night.
I've only read a couple of Lem's books, but I guess I'd recommend Solaris. It's an imperfect translation but there's a great atmosphere that's built up in some parts. And there's a couple of film versions, so that can be an extra incentive if you've seen them, or it would be something to watch after reading the book.
Hmm, I hadn't thought of it in those terms, but that's an interesting idea! I was thinking two things could be happening - 1) that we gravitate towards areas we find interesting, and the things we find interesting are usually personally salient, thereby causing this overlap... or 2) we try to make sense of our lives at some point, look back and say oh yes, A led to B led to C, obviously I am a rational being, there is no other possible outcome but the one I am in right now, as evidenced by my past history. Sometime Ill have to read the actual study and see what THEY come up with! :)
I've read Solaris (sorry, I meant to mention that) and a book of short stories - something about the bathwater? Baby and the bath or something like that? It was a long time ago... Maybe Ill hit the library and see what I come up with :)
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I love the idea of science as autobiography. We call it "mesearch" since it's what we all do. There was actually a study done on personal interest correlating with research interest - I've always been curious what that says about those researchers :D
any boook of Lem's you would recommend? I keep trying to read his stuff and havent quite gotten "there" yet. Let me know what you think if you get a minute, I'd appreciate it!
Reply
'Mesearch' is an interesting topic - maybe saying that evolution is just about passing on genes and base drives is what helps the scientists sleep better at night.
I've only read a couple of Lem's books, but I guess I'd recommend Solaris. It's an imperfect translation but there's a great atmosphere that's built up in some parts. And there's a couple of film versions, so that can be an extra incentive if you've seen them, or it would be something to watch after reading the book.
Reply
I've read Solaris (sorry, I meant to mention that) and a book of short stories - something about the bathwater? Baby and the bath or something like that? It was a long time ago... Maybe Ill hit the library and see what I come up with :)
Reply
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