Building worlds and discovery

I enjoy computer programming, math and physics, archaeology and many other things. However, focusing on programming, math and physics. In comparing these, I find that in programming one gets a chance to build a small world, to make an object behave as desired. You have a vision of an end result and then get to build the objects needed to realize it.

Math works in a similar way. Starting with simple objects like numbers, sets or abstract spaces; along with rules or axioms, one can build new objects. Whether we are discovering the new objects or inventing them is open to debate but again, one gets to start with a vision of something to prove (Theorem, etc.) and then build the steps to do so. In the process sometimes constructing or discovering new mathematical techniques and objects.

Of course in math, we can also choose to solve problems. Given a problem, construct a solution. Still a building process.

Physics I have to classify differently. In the physics world I feel like we are discovering and modeling our very existence. We are not building a new world, but through modeling and experiments, we are slowly discovering our world. I do doubt, however, that we will ever understand it all. I think we may think we have, and even come up with a Theory of Everything, but my guess is there is more out there than our minds can imagine and eventually the Theory of Everything would break. But it sure is fun discovering and imagining.

History

So someone wants to know your past history. Sounds normal right? Well, what other history is there? Show me your present and future history just do not sound right. So why do we qualify with the word "past" when referring to history? Food for thought.

Interview with a Vampire

No. Wait. That was a movie.

Interview with JTCC.
The interview and teaching demo went really well. As a matter of fact, one of the first things they talked about was possible open classes for me to teach; even before I did anything. They are leaning towards a pre-calculus class which is right down the road.

The teaching demo went better than expected. The Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Alexander, was there. Apparently she had no idea what my topic was going to be. It was graphing rational functions. I started off with a review of linear functions and was planning to review non-linear quadratics as well to show establish rigorous steps and then add more rigir for the ration functions (I planned out my approach well in advance.)

However, when I was doing linear functions, Dr. Alexander had lots of questions (thinking I had skipped a lot of stuff--not knowing my topic). The way I addressed her questions; in a patient, desciptive way, made it all the better. When she was told this was a review, she apologized, thinking I had skipped a lot of information. However, my approach and patience turned out to be a virtue.

Although I have not interviewd for a job in 18 years, I knew enough to be prepared to answer questions like my teaching philosophy, worst and best things that have happened, mistakes I have made, and so on. I even did the typical preparation of having questions to ask them.

I spent bits of time over several days working on this part, and, other than the teaching demo, none of it was used. Better prepared than not though. The teaching demo appeared to be the main thing they focus on. Each organization is different (I know I have written interview questions for clients and helped them choose who to hire.) By the way, this is good information for anybody thinking of a job (google interview questions or something like that in your field. Research the company. They want to know you know what they do.)

Things look very good. They have one of two classes lined up for me. Although I do not want to petty, I do not know the pay. It is "commensurate with experience." I have lots of experience from High School, College and my business. However, I do not know what they will count. Hopefully it is enough to make what would be a joyful experience worth my time. If not, I may not do it. I'll be positive for now and assume it is worth it and push forward. All the paper work (gobs of it for State Jobs) is done, they have to check references and do a background check, but the wheels have been set in motion and hopefully the wheel will stay on a straight path (a metaphor, obviously).

Who knows where this will lead. I don't. Exciting!

Trying something old as new

Although working with computers has been my bread and butter for 20 years, I am a mathematician. Not applied math but what is called "pure math". But to the point, I have been training as adjunct faculty (short 2-3 day classes in computer related topics) off and on for 18 years but have not taught a semester length course since my days as Adjunct Faculty for VCU.

I am giving a teaching demonstration on graphing rational functions this coming week as part of an interview for an Adjunct Faculty position at JTCC. I have been wanting to get back in to teaching math at the semester level and hopefully this will work out.

Teaching is a wonderful way to keep up with a topic and help keep skills honed. Of course it is also wonderful to see students learn; to spread knowledge. I love to pass on knowledge.

Of course I will continue with my computer work which I enjoy but am looking forward to the opportunity to teach math again.

A Criminologist Repave (an anagram)

This is a new course being offerred by CCPS (Comparative Religions). It will be taught by a social studies teacher. As one interested in the theory of religions this sounds neat. However, the course will almost certainly be subjective and have a bent toward Christianity -- as that teacher practices it. Even Christianity varies among denominations, not to mention the others. Unless we had a clear expert for each religion who can teach completely objectively, the course is doomed to fail or teach falsley. If the course happened to be taught by a Muslim, it would require an Imam and have to be done in Arabic to be done correctly (for the Quranic part.) then is it Shii or Sunni? Get the point. Too Many Variations (A Visionary Ottoman); or with all religions (Setec Astronomy.)

I think it is better just to keep religion out of the public schools altogether.

Maybe a course in Comparitive Worms would be better.

LHC

The Large Hadron Collider is set to come online soon. There are pundits who are concerned about mini black holes and the such; distruction of the world stuff. But what a way to go! How many people can say their world was wiped out by a black hole? (none I guess since if they were wiped out they could not talk about it--that's besides the point)

I am not that excited about the Higgs, Dark Energy, etc. that we may find but that which we may not find. I want more questions, more problems, things to keep physicists and mathematicians going for a long time. Of course the discovery of Higgs, etc. would be great but these are objects we name to model what we experience; and there is so much more.

We are an animal, on a small planet, orbiting a medium sun, on the edge of a medium galaxy, slowly rotating and traveling through the vast universe. There is so much more.