Why Does Alexander No Longer Weep?

[dchris]

@TrainForPain

there are no worlds left to conquer.

I’d take this option. If I am a master at investing and day trading, I’ll just make my money and spend rest of time free to do things I enjoy.

[T-Rad]

Mastery. There can be only one.

[QuadQueen]

I never want to stop learning so, journeyman 100%.

[jskrabac]

@TrainForPain

Would you rather achieve mastery in a subject or be a perpetual journeyman?

Ok, either I’m misinterpreting the question, or everyone else is. I read it as would you rather be a GOATed expert in ONE thing…or in a state of perpetual exploration of several things.

This existential question was actually at the heart of why I left my PhD in Physics with just a Masters degree. I saw the evolution of my fellow grad students, who came in very smart and well-rounded. We could discuss movies, sports, politics, etc in depth at the drop of a hat. But then I saw them start to turn and become more and more antisocial and their entire identity was wrapped up in their narrowing area of focus. And interacting with professors–who basically represented the singularity of this black hole–was enough to turn me off to the life forever. No social grace or social skills at all really, some just straight up assholes and everyone excused it because “that’s just how theoretical physicists be y’all!” I got out before I crossed the event horizon as a few of my unfortunate peers already had.

[T3hPwnisher]

@jskrabac

I read it as would you rather be a GOATed expert in ONE thing

This is exactly how I read it…

[jskrabac]

Then I misinterpreted the responses lol.

[TrainForPain]

@jskrabac

I read it as would you rather be a GOATed expert in ONE thing

That’s what I meant.

@jskrabac

I got out before I crossed the event horizon as a few of my unfortunate peers already had.

I really appreciate how you snuck this in to describe leaving the pursuit of ohysucs. Pretty funny

[FlatsFarmer]

What can you tell us about tiny black holes moving across our solar system? Have egg heads always known about these? Is there danger?

[Friedrich]

@jskrabac

I saw the evolution of my fellow grad students, who came in very smart and well-rounded. We could discuss movies, sports, politics, etc in depth at the drop of a hat. But then I saw them start to turn and become more and more antisocial and their entire identity was wrapped up in their narrowing area of focus.

Weird, religion has done that to my in-laws.

[Friedrich]

Upon further review…

This may have been brought up, but if I were a surgeon, I would want to know everything. To be an oncologist and have mastered that field completely. I would want s/he to be my doctor. If I live in a high rise, I would want the architects and engineers to be masters of their craft. Thinking on this there is room, and a need, for those who hyper focused on their art/science. The best. In my working world it has been better to be a journeyman. I can teach for class after class on WWII, or Gettysburg, but I need to be able to have a working knowledge of a whole lot more. I do not always get it right, but I try to stay well informed.