Barnes and Noble Book Cover (2015)
Chemistry is that branch of natural philosophy in which the greatest improvements have been and may be made; it is on that accound that I have made it my particular study; but at the same time, I have not neglected the other branches of science. A man would make a very sorry chemist if he attended to that department of human knolwedge alone. If your wish is to become really a man of science and not merely a petty experimentalist, I should advise you to apply to every branch of natural philosophy, including mathematics.
-Mr. Waldman, Frankenstein
I think it is foolish to think we should be content ONLY with learning ONE perspective or subject. As a history and humanities teacher, I always tell my students it’s vital to broaden our minds and hearts so we can learn from a variety of different people. Sometimes, if we’re not careful, our entire worldview will be limited to a few general sources!
It is better to ponder and study a plethora of things so we can become more well-rounded in our education, social circles, hobbies, and beliefs. I never want to become the “petty experimentalist” Mr. Walman spoke of! That would lead to a rather limited perspective and a boring life.
I connect to this quote on a personal level! Since I was young, I’ve had a wide variety of interests that spread through most general subjects. I’ve never truly been content studying and exploring only ONE subject or genre. Granted, my interests do shift to other things more than others, but I try to keep myself open so I can learn from a variety of sources. Here is just a general list of things I love to explore and study:
- Animation-Art coming to life, especially when hand-drawn, is a fascinating and beautiful process!
- Yoga- I don’t just like to do it as an exercise! I’ve studied Hindu philosophy and am currently studying how to live a Satvic lifestyle.
- Christian History and Philosophy– I don’t think it’s enough to simply go to a church! I have spent many years studying Christianity through scriptures AND historical textbooks.
- Science History- I am genuinely curious about how medicine, technology, architecture, etc., became what it is today!
- Film Making– The idea that moving pictures, through the persistence of vision, trick us into thinking they’re moving is mind-boggling! This especially includes early filmmaking during the experimental and silent era.
- Anime and Manga– If there is a good story out there, I will do my absolute best to find it! Comics from Japan, animated or otherwise, are NO EXCEPTION.
- Astronomy– I love studying the planets and stars, and actively pay attention to what’s going on with NASA. That’s probably why I love the film Interstellar (2014) so much.
- Architecture– As I’ve traveled throughout Europe and the United States, I am in awe sometimes the amazing things people can create.
- Forest Bathing/Immersing Myself in Nature– It’s truly inspiring what happens when we simply go into a healthy forest and disconnect from the world for a while.
- Books– I love to read books in almost every genre imaginable. That might actually be the understatement of the century. . . I own almost 1000 books now and generally read over 100 books a year.
Perhaps for yourself, you can think of what you like to explore and whether or not you feel satisfied with what you know or are interested in now. Who knows, perhaps through exploring, you can find something you never thought you’d love before!
Hope you have a wonderful day! See you next time!
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 