I am a female high school student who aspires to develop into a self-made, rational thinker. To realize this aspiration, I would like to explore logic-related studies such as physics, mathematics, artificial intelligence, philosophy, and cognitive science. While I have involved myself in math and science initiatives in school and continue to do so, I am more interested in devoting myself to the pure study in a method which I can control.
My circumstance demands that I cope with and finish high school. I am trying to turn my appreciation for rationalism into a fulfilling skill (mastery of how to learn and apply these interests) which makes “coping” with my circumstance enjoyable.
Previous attempts at addressing this issue have resulted in failure because of my inexperience and ignorance with and within these studies. I am (supposedly) experiencing calculus and physics for the first time in school right now; I still feel unsatisfied with my understanding of basic algebraic and geometric concepts. Pursuing formal educational opportunities, even those outside of classes, like summer research at a university or participation in Science Olympiad, has been achieved. My problem with these achievements is that they were not indicative of my true experience or, rather, inexperience. It was possible to qualify for these opportunities based on an application or test score; the opportunities were centered around making me a more competitive college applicant.
I am finding my schooling unsatisfying; I am not especially motivated by earning good marks and fulfilling the requirements which are imposed on me. I would like to foster appreciation, critical thinking skills, and conceptual understanding of my interests outside of formal educational methods. Moreover, I would like to continue this pursuit as a lifelong activity.
What insight or materials can you offer that can help me apply myself to my interests in an engaging and achievable manner?
I imagine that insight from other, more experienced “rationalists” or even mentors would be helpful for me. I(’ve) experience(d) bouts of existential depression and often feel isolated from most of the people physically around me. Talking to understanding humans on the internet is helpful. Actually, I imagine that the most “ideal” situation would be to find one such teacher, mentor, or group with a collective goal and study as a part of such a “school”. However, I realize the improbability of arranging this and instead look for other possibilities. Thank you.
In hindsight, Less Wrong probably fits the description of such an “ideal” situation:
Actually, I imagine that the most “ideal” situation would be to find one such… …group with a collective goal and study as a part of such a “school”.
LW is larger than the school which I was imagining, one with only a handful of students, and I am currently inexperienced to engage myself in most LW discussions.
But, of course, eventually making sense of the core sequences is definitely one of my goals, along with someday being a productive contributor.
I am a female high school student who aspires to develop into a self-made, rational thinker. To realize this aspiration, I would like to explore logic-related studies such as physics, mathematics, artificial intelligence, philosophy, and cognitive science. While I have involved myself in math and science initiatives in school and continue to do so, I am more interested in devoting myself to the pure study in a method which I can control.
My circumstance demands that I cope with and finish high school. I am trying to turn my appreciation for rationalism into a fulfilling skill (mastery of how to learn and apply these interests) which makes “coping” with my circumstance enjoyable.
Previous attempts at addressing this issue have resulted in failure because of my inexperience and ignorance with and within these studies. I am (supposedly) experiencing calculus and physics for the first time in school right now; I still feel unsatisfied with my understanding of basic algebraic and geometric concepts. Pursuing formal educational opportunities, even those outside of classes, like summer research at a university or participation in Science Olympiad, has been achieved. My problem with these achievements is that they were not indicative of my true experience or, rather, inexperience. It was possible to qualify for these opportunities based on an application or test score; the opportunities were centered around making me a more competitive college applicant.
I am finding my schooling unsatisfying; I am not especially motivated by earning good marks and fulfilling the requirements which are imposed on me. I would like to foster appreciation, critical thinking skills, and conceptual understanding of my interests outside of formal educational methods. Moreover, I would like to continue this pursuit as a lifelong activity.
What insight or materials can you offer that can help me apply myself to my interests in an engaging and achievable manner?
I imagine that insight from other, more experienced “rationalists” or even mentors would be helpful for me. I(’ve) experience(d) bouts of existential depression and often feel isolated from most of the people physically around me. Talking to understanding humans on the internet is helpful. Actually, I imagine that the most “ideal” situation would be to find one such teacher, mentor, or group with a collective goal and study as a part of such a “school”. However, I realize the improbability of arranging this and instead look for other possibilities. Thank you.
In hindsight, Less Wrong probably fits the description of such an “ideal” situation:
LW is larger than the school which I was imagining, one with only a handful of students, and I am currently inexperienced to engage myself in most LW discussions. But, of course, eventually making sense of the core sequences is definitely one of my goals, along with someday being a productive contributor.