Elysian Shadows

I often seek to challenge my perspective. I don't even think it's the challenge that I enjoy, despite being reminded by the old adage, "the journey is most important." I like the end result, and to put it plainly, I just want to know more. I'm also not referring to being creatively intelligent, although the appeal of discovering a mythical, "original idea," is strong. Being excessively intelligent, within the top tiers of the population, is too large a goal. What I want is to be able to understand higher level mathematics as well as physics and computer science. If I happen to grow from there by becoming someone great, then fine, it's what everyone else wants too.

To achieve my goal of mathematical competence and to become a computer science wizzard, however, I will have to draw on ingenuity. What some call intelligence, being capable of complex thought, without strain, is what I deem necessary to develop such abilities. To do this, I try to read books, make games, and browse the internet, but I suspect that there are more effective methods of receiving intellectual stimulation, even if their improvement is due to variety. It seems plausible that my goals can be attained, given the right set of circumstances.

Thus, I pose a question: How do you increase your cognitive dexterity?

Sudoku. Crosswords (I suck at these). Programming.

for some reason sudoku puts me to sleep within like 10 minutes.

I can't think of any other than Programming and perhaps the occasional solving of Rubik's Cube.

Think of a large number and figure out how to get that sum using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division 5 different ways.

Don't waste your time with Sudoku and "summing large numbers." Programming at least gives you something to show for. Any ape can do simple math. Besides, computers will always be better at this than you. Work your mind on things they can't do well.... yet.

Get a DS.

Program for the Cell... ahh, there is something new

I also have an insatiable lust for knowledge (and women, money, and power). I find that I learn new mathematical concepts (linear algebra, physics, calculus, differential equations) when I have to implement them into some sort of programming application.

For example, OpenGL helped me learn about matrix translations/transformations from linear algebra, working on physics systems helped me to understand physics (and the more bitchy calculus behind said physics).

I also don't just want to be mathematically smart. I enjoy learning more about other fields of science (astronomy, health, and biology are a few of my favorites). Before I wanted to become a computer engineer, I wanted to be an astrophysicist/astronomer of sort, so I still have that fascination left over.

I'm also fascinated with human psychology and philosophy. I like reading books about various psychological disorders and their diagnoses (but I'm also weird). I also learn to better understand myself that way. It helps with women too...

My hardest part is balancing my lazy as hell side with my earnest lust for knowledge. I have to struggle to find the motivation to step up and become more knowledgeable/intelligent sometimes.

GyroVorbis wrote:I also have an insatiable lust for knowledge (and women, money, and power). I find that I learn new mathematical concepts (linear algebra, physics, calculus, differential equations) when I have to implement them into some sort of programming application.

For example, OpenGL helped me learn about matrix translations/transformations from linear algebra, working on physics systems helped me to understand physics (and the more bitchy calculus behind said physics).

I also don't just want to be mathematically smart. I enjoy learning more about other fields of science (astronomy, health, and biology are a few of my favorites). Before I wanted to become a computer engineer, I wanted to be an astrophysicist/astronomer of sort, so I still have that fascination left over.

I'm also fascinated with human psychology and philosophy. I like reading books about various psychological disorders and their diagnoses (but I'm also weird). I also learn to better understand myself that way. It helps with women too...

My hardest part is balancing my lazy as hell side with my earnest lust for knowledge. I have to struggle to find the motivation to step up and become more knowledgeable/intelligent sometimes.

I don't I just read books, that's lazy enough for me, and I'm suuuuuper lazy!... I as well have other topics of favor, like mythology, and anything dealing with the brain, and the human subconcious... and I like .hack

Get Buzz lol

GyroVorbis wrote:I also have an insatiable lust for knowledge (and women, money, and power). I find that I learn new mathematical concepts (linear algebra, physics, calculus, differential equations) when I have to implement them into some sort of programming application.

For example, OpenGL helped me learn about matrix translations/transformations from linear algebra, working on physics systems helped me to understand physics (and the more bitchy calculus behind said physics).

I also don't just want to be mathematically smart. I enjoy learning more about other fields of science (astronomy, health, and biology are a few of my favorites). Before I wanted to become a computer engineer, I wanted to be an astrophysicist/astronomer of sort, so I still have that fascination left over.

I'm also fascinated with human psychology and philosophy. I like reading books about various psychological disorders and their diagnoses (but I'm also weird). I also learn to better understand myself that way. It helps with women too...

My hardest part is balancing my lazy as hell side with my earnest lust for knowledge. I have to struggle to find the motivation to step up and become more knowledgeable/intelligent sometimes.

That is what I'm looking for. It's almost intuitive, and I've heard how important it is to venture beyond one's comfort zone, intellectually. Yet I needed the reminder.

Knowledge is power and power corrupts. Study hard. Be evil.

In terms of programming, I avoid coding the same thing twice. (except for Bop N' Pop...) I'm fortunate that, at my job, every project is different and I'm always having to think in different ways and apply new technologies. I'd be bored to tears if I built the same type of apps over and over again. (like 90% of the programmers at my job)

For me, there's nothing better than being faced with a problem, solving it on the whiteboard, and coding it to completion. That's one hell of a programmer's high, imo.

Agreed.