- #1
Plunewtonian
Hello Physics Forum. I am in a highly unconventional predicament and was told by a friend this forum might be a good place to talk about my first steps into the world of science. So before I go on, let me give you background and also ask that you bear with me as I have a lot to say and will do my best to condense my thoughts.
I am a college student living in the Baltimore, Maryland area and am not (currently) majoring in anything physics related. However, I do have an insatiable curiosity of astro and particle physics and like to consider myself of the creative type. About a year ago I came up with a simple idea that in itself is a pretty major statement, but I realized I was just another schmuck with an idea in theoretical physics that was among a million other ideas formed by many other people with more credability then I. This fragment of an idea led me to, for the next year, learn everything I could about particle physics and about the workings of the universe. A sizable amount of my free time was dedicated to educating myself in the most entailing ways I could. I knew my idea was untraditional and relativly unfounded, but I also knew that with the right knowledge, it could either be debunked or grow into something meaningfull and noteworthy. Over the next year, I found myself more genuinely enthralled by science then I ever thought possible, and even excited to be learning about its secrets.
Nearly everything I have learned and have come across in my year or so in learning not only did not debunk my theory, it fortified it and took it in directions that I see to be logical and immensely important to the way some sciences can be viewed. I like to consider myself a logical person, and am also aware that it is easy to self justify an idea in your own eyes by subcontously overlooking variables that could speak against it, or even simply viewing an idea as more meaningful then it is because you were the one who thought of it. For every section I have added to my theory I have done everything in my power to look at all sets of facts and determine the validity and probability of each one of my thoughts in order to eliminate any holes in the foundations and so that when the time comes I will be able to present it to professionals for critique. I am at the point where I consider my theory perfected and complete to its fullest. The original path I was going to take was to send a copy of it to many, many academic establishments, astrophysicist, and other places/persons that fall into that category as possible. I was also planned on designing a website and use social media as a kickstart to getting it out there.
I was at the stage where I just needed to pull the trigger, to follow threw and finally start this process, but then I had other thoughts. Instead of sending out my idea to people and to the Internet, why not first try to get a professional to look over it and, with a lot of luck, try to get it published? This is where anyone with a half-a-mind would tell me I'm trying to overreach what is feasible and that my hopes are to high. A year ago I would have agreed, but there is something about this that gives me the energy to at least try, and I know if I don't I will regret it. I am painfully aware that you can't just knock on the door of a science journals headquarters and get published. I'd even be suprised if they give anyone a second look who tries it, let alone a 21 year old college student who has no scientific experiences on paper. But this world is full of suprises, and my goal is to be one of them, and I will not stop until someone listens.
I am here to ask for any type of guidance that this community can offer and am open to any suggestions. I ask that anyone with advice on how to get a toe in the door be kind enough to share. I am confident that if I can speak to someone with an open mind they will not regret spending time on listening, even if nothing comes of it. As of now, my current plan is to talk to the head of the science department at my college and see if I can stir up interest. Other then this I am at a loss as to what paths I should look into, and would like any sort of help I can get. This is by far the most significant thing I will be attempting in my life so far and have the drive to see it threw. This is a lot for one forum post, and I thank you for taking the time to read about the first few chapters in my journey, I hope that you can help me in forming the next few chapters by lending me any advice and guidance. I really can't say enough how grateful I will be.
I am a college student living in the Baltimore, Maryland area and am not (currently) majoring in anything physics related. However, I do have an insatiable curiosity of astro and particle physics and like to consider myself of the creative type. About a year ago I came up with a simple idea that in itself is a pretty major statement, but I realized I was just another schmuck with an idea in theoretical physics that was among a million other ideas formed by many other people with more credability then I. This fragment of an idea led me to, for the next year, learn everything I could about particle physics and about the workings of the universe. A sizable amount of my free time was dedicated to educating myself in the most entailing ways I could. I knew my idea was untraditional and relativly unfounded, but I also knew that with the right knowledge, it could either be debunked or grow into something meaningfull and noteworthy. Over the next year, I found myself more genuinely enthralled by science then I ever thought possible, and even excited to be learning about its secrets.
Nearly everything I have learned and have come across in my year or so in learning not only did not debunk my theory, it fortified it and took it in directions that I see to be logical and immensely important to the way some sciences can be viewed. I like to consider myself a logical person, and am also aware that it is easy to self justify an idea in your own eyes by subcontously overlooking variables that could speak against it, or even simply viewing an idea as more meaningful then it is because you were the one who thought of it. For every section I have added to my theory I have done everything in my power to look at all sets of facts and determine the validity and probability of each one of my thoughts in order to eliminate any holes in the foundations and so that when the time comes I will be able to present it to professionals for critique. I am at the point where I consider my theory perfected and complete to its fullest. The original path I was going to take was to send a copy of it to many, many academic establishments, astrophysicist, and other places/persons that fall into that category as possible. I was also planned on designing a website and use social media as a kickstart to getting it out there.
I was at the stage where I just needed to pull the trigger, to follow threw and finally start this process, but then I had other thoughts. Instead of sending out my idea to people and to the Internet, why not first try to get a professional to look over it and, with a lot of luck, try to get it published? This is where anyone with a half-a-mind would tell me I'm trying to overreach what is feasible and that my hopes are to high. A year ago I would have agreed, but there is something about this that gives me the energy to at least try, and I know if I don't I will regret it. I am painfully aware that you can't just knock on the door of a science journals headquarters and get published. I'd even be suprised if they give anyone a second look who tries it, let alone a 21 year old college student who has no scientific experiences on paper. But this world is full of suprises, and my goal is to be one of them, and I will not stop until someone listens.
I am here to ask for any type of guidance that this community can offer and am open to any suggestions. I ask that anyone with advice on how to get a toe in the door be kind enough to share. I am confident that if I can speak to someone with an open mind they will not regret spending time on listening, even if nothing comes of it. As of now, my current plan is to talk to the head of the science department at my college and see if I can stir up interest. Other then this I am at a loss as to what paths I should look into, and would like any sort of help I can get. This is by far the most significant thing I will be attempting in my life so far and have the drive to see it threw. This is a lot for one forum post, and I thank you for taking the time to read about the first few chapters in my journey, I hope that you can help me in forming the next few chapters by lending me any advice and guidance. I really can't say enough how grateful I will be.