This weekend is comprised of me reading some books from the library and studying a fire dynamics book with no obligations, really. It’s quite pleasant. I am currently reading ‘The Making of a Philosopher’ by Colin McGinn:
Here are some of my favorite selected quotes from the book thus far:
“I lived alone in a tiny, depressing bed-setting room [...] but I had more freedom to pursue my interests. Since I had no money there wasn’t much to do except read and talk (does poverty encourage literacy?).”
This is a very good one for now. I’m sort of limited on activities this weekend because I await the receipt of many checks and money from school and work, yet I have access to this boundless sea of knowledge around me in these wonderful books, thoughts, studies, and equations. A simple walk around Gaithersburg during a nice sunny Saturday or the contemplation of such an above quote while staring out the window for thirty minutes are the parts of life that are invaluable to me, yet I see myself and others skipping over these parts when everything is going ‘normal’.
“It is hard to exaggerate the importance of this type of contact between students and teachers; for you to believe in yourself, someone else you respect has to believe in you first. I try to keep my eye open for students who could benefit from this kind of attention and encouragement, while avoiding favoritism and excessive ‘mentoring’.”
I love this quote because I can speak firsthand about this. If it weren’t for the great mentors in my life, I would not be here working with the top scientists in the world. And, as one progresses in thought, mind, and book smarts, it is easy to forget that there is an obligation you have to ‘mentor’ the newer people coming in, no matter what level you have achieved or what field you are in. This is what makes the concept of thought work in life.
And finally:
“There is a period in one’s twenties when philosophical discussion with a friend can be the most delightful of experiences, and an ideal way to make progress in one’s thinking. And it helps relieve the solitariness that is so much a part of the contemplative life.”
This last one speaks great truths. Sure, I can perform all of my intellectual work within myself and solve great mysteries, but even sharing that with one other person in an eloquent way will serve to grow not only their mind, but yours. This happens as you try to come up with the words, writings, and gestures which translate your thoughts into something externally beneficial to another person.
So, what is a boring weekend to others sends me adrift in the universe in thought, wisdom, and a really fun time.
And people wonder why I read a wide range of subjects, such as philosophy books. Or they wonder what philosophy has to do with my life or fire protection engineering…
Have a pleasant weekend.
