Albert Einstein on: Religion and Science
说实在的，爱因斯坦对于科学与宗教有很多的阐述，其中也不乏名言，如：science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.当然爱教授所指的宗教可不是我们想的那么简单啊！不信，就看看爱教授的观点吧！
This section is from Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium, published by the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in Their Relation to the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941.
下面是英文原版：
It would not be difficult to come to an agreement as to what we understand by science. Science is the century-old endeavor to bring together by means of systematic thought the perceptible phenomena of this world into as thoroughgoing an association as possible. To put it boldly, it is the attempt at the posterior reconstruction of existence by the process of conceptualization. But when asking myself what religion is I cannot think of the answer so easily. And even after finding an answer which may satisfy me at this particular moment, I still remain convinced that I can never under any circumstances bring together, even to a slight extent, the thoughts of all those who have given this question serious consideration.
At first, then, instead of asking what religion is I should prefer to ask what characterizes the aspirations of a person who gives me the impression of being religious: a person who is religiously enlightened appears to me to be one who has, to the best of his ability, liberated himself from the fetters of his selfish desires and is preoccupied with thoughts, feelings, and aspirations to which he clings because of their superpersonalvalue. It seems to me that what is important is the force of this superpersonal content and the depth of the conviction concerning its overpowering meaningfulness, regardless of whether any attempt is made to unite this content with a divine Being, for otherwise it would not be possible to count Buddha and Spinoza as religious personalities. Accordingly, a religious person is devout in the sense that he has no doubt of the significance and loftiness of those superpersonal objects and goals which neither require nor are capable of rational foundation. They exist with the same necessity and matter-of-factness as he himself. In this sense religion is the age-old endeavor of mankind to become clearly and completely conscious of these values and goals and constantly to strengthen and extend their effect. If one conceives of religion and science according to these definitions then a conflict between them appears impossible. For science can only ascertain what is, but not what should be, and outside of its domain value judgments of all kinds remain necessary. Religion, on the other hand, deals only with evaluations of human thought and action: it cannot justifiably speak of facts and relationships between facts. According to this interpretation the well-known conflicts between religion and science in the past must all be ascribed to a misapprehension of the situation which has been described.
For example, a conflict arises when a religious community insists on the absolute truthfulness of all statements recorded in the Bible. This means an intervention on the part of religion into the sphere of science; this is where the struggle of the Church against the doctrines of Galileo and Darwin belongs. On the other hand, representatives of science have often made an attempt to arrive at fundamental judgments with respect to values and ends on the basis of scientific method, and in this way have set themselves in opposition to religion. These conflicts have all sprung from fatal errors.
Now, even though the realms of religion and science in themselves are clearly marked off from each other, nevertheless there exist between the two strong reciprocal relationships and dependencies. Though religion may be that which determines the goal, it has, nevertheless, learned from science, in the broadest sense, what means will contribute to the attainment of the goals it has set up. But science can only be created by those who are thoroughly imbued with the aspiration toward truth and understanding. This source of feeling, however, springs from the sphere of religion. To this there also belongs the faith in the possibility that the regulations valid for the world of existence are rational, that is, comprehensible to reason. I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith. The situation may be expressed by an image: science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Though I have asserted above that in truth a legitimate conflict between religion and science cannot exist, I must nevertheless qualify this assertion once again on an essential point, with reference to the actual content of historical religions. This qualification has to do with the concept of God. During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution human fantasy created gods in man's own image, who, by the operations of their will were supposed to determine, or at any rate to influence, the phenomenal world. Man sought to alter the disposition of these gods in his own favor by means of magic and prayer. The idea of God in the religions taught at present is a sublimation of that old concept of the gods. Its anthropomorphic character is shown, for instance, by the fact that men appeal to the Divine Being in prayers and plead for the fulfillment of their wishes.
Nobody, certainly, will deny that the idea of the existence of an omnipotent, just, and omnibeneficent personal God is able to accord man solace, help, and guidance; also, by virtue of its simplicity it is accessible to the most undeveloped mind. But, on the other hand, there are decisive weaknesses attached to this idea in itself, which have been painfully felt since the beginning of history. That is, if this being is omnipotent, then every occurrence, including every human action, every human thought, and every human feeling and aspiration is also His work; how is it possible to think of holding men responsible for their deeds and thoughts before such an almighty Being? In giving out punishment and rewards He would to a certain extent be passing judgment on Himself. How can this be combined with the goodness and righteousness ascribed to Him?
The main source of the present-day conflicts between the spheres of religion and of science lies in this concept of a personal God. It is the aim of science to establish general rules which determine the reciprocal connection of objects and events in time and space. For these rules, or laws of nature, absolutely general validity is required--not proven. It is mainly a program, and faith in the possibility of its accomplishment in principle is only founded on partial successes. But hardly anyone could be found who would deny these partial successes and ascribe them to human self-deception. The fact that on the basis of such laws we are able to predict the temporal behavior of phenomena in certain domains with great precision and certainty is deeply embedded in the consciousness of the modern man, even though he may have grasped very little of the contents of those laws. He need only consider that planetary courses within the solar system may be calculated in advance with great exactitude on the basis of a limited number of simple laws. In a similar way, though not with the same precision, it is possible to calculate in advance the mode of operation of an electric motor, a transmission system, or of a wireless apparatus, even when dealing with a novel development.
To be sure, when the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large, scientific method in most cases fails us. One need only think of the weather, in which case prediction even for a few days ahead is impossible. Nevertheless no one doubts that we are confronted with a causal connection whose causal components are in the main known to us. Occurrences in this domain are beyond the reach of exact prediction because of the variety of factors in operation, not because of any lack of order in nature.
We have penetrated far less deeply into the regularities obtaining within the realm of living things, but deeply enough nevertheless to sense at least the rule of fixed necessity. One need only think of the systematic order in heredity, and in the effect of poisons, as for instance alcohol, on the behavior of organic beings. What is still lacking here is a grasp of connections of profound generality, but not a knowledge of order in itself.
The more a man is imbued with the ordered regularity of all events the firmer becomes his conviction that there is no room left by the side of this ordered regularity for causes of a different nature. For him neither the rule of human nor the rule of divine will exists as an independent cause of natural events. To be sure, the doctrine of a personal God interfering with natural events could never be refuted, in the real sense, by science, for this doctrine can always take refuge in those domains in which scientific knowledge has not yet been able to set foot.
But I am persuaded that such behavior on the part of the representatives of religion would not only be unworthy but also fatal. For a doctrine which is able to maintain itself not in clear light but only in the dark, will of necessity lose its effect on mankind, with incalculable harm to human progress. In their struggle for the ethical good, teachers of religion must have the stature to give up the doctrine of a personal God, that is, give up that source of fear and hope which in the past placed such vast power in the hands of priests. In their labors they will have to avail themselves of those forces which are capable of cultivating the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in humanity itself. This is, to be sure, a more difficult but an incomparably more worthy task. (This thought is convincingly presented in Herbert Samuel's book, Belief and Action.) After religious teachers accomplish the refining process indicated they will surely recognize with joy that true religion has been ennobled and made more profound by scientific knowledge.
If it is one of the goals of religion to liberate mankind as far as possible from the bondage of egocentric cravings, desires, and fears, scientific reasoning can aid religion in yet another sense. Although it is true that it is the goal of science to discover rules which permit the association and foretelling of facts, this is not its only aim. It also seeks to reduce the connections discovered to the smallest possible number of mutually independent conceptual elements. It is in this striving after the rational unification of the manifold that it encounters its greatest successes, even though it is precisely this attempt which causes it to run the greatest risk of falling a prey to illusions. But whoever has undergone the intense experience of successful advances made in this domain is moved by profound reverence for the rationality made manifest in existence. By way of the understanding he achieves a far-reaching emancipation from the shackles of personal hopes and desires, and thereby attains that humble attitude of mind toward the grandeur of reason incarnate in existence, and which, in its profoundest depths, is inaccessible to man. This attitude, however, appears to me to be religious, in the highest sense of the word. And so it seems to me that science not only purifies the religious impulse of the dross of its anthropomorphism but also contributes to a religious spiritualization of our understanding of life.
The further the spiritual evolution of mankind advances, the more certain it seems to me that the path to genuine religiosity does not lie through the fear of life, and the fear of death, and blind faith, but through striving after rational knowledge. In this sense I believe that the priest must become a teacher if he wishes to do justice to his lofty educational mission.
中文翻译就讲究看吧，翻译的一般：
要我们对什么是科学得出一致的理解，实际上并不困难。科学就是一种历史悠久的努力，力图用系统的思维，把这个世界中可感知的现象尽可能彻底地联系起来。说得大胆点，它是这样一种企图：要通过构思过程，后验地来重建存在。但我要是问自已，宗教是什么，我可就不能那么容易回答了。即使我找到了一个可能在这个特殊时刻使我满意的答案，可是我仍然相信，我决不可能在任何情况下都会使所有对这个问题作过认真考虑的人哪怕在很小程度上表示同意。
因此，我想先不去问宗教是什么，而宁愿问，一个我认为是信仰宗教的人，他的志向有哪些特征：在我看来，一个人受了宗教感化，他就是已经尽他的最大可能从自私欲望的镣铐中解放了出来，而全神贯注在那些因其超越个人的价值而为他所坚持的思想、感情和志向。我认为重要的在于这种超越个人的内涵的力量，在于对它超过一切的深远意义的信念的深度，而不在于是否曾经企图把这种内涵同神联系起来，因为要不然，佛陀和斯宾诺莎就不能算是宗教人物了。所以，说一个信仰宗教的人是虔诚的，意思是说，他并不怀疑那些超越个人的目的和目标的庄严和崇高；而这些目的和目标是既不需要也不可能有理性基础的。但是它们的存在同他自已的存在是同样必然的，是同样实实在在的。在这个意义上，宗教是人类长期的事业，它要使人类清醒地、全面地意识到这些价值和目标，并且不断地加强和扩大它们的影响。如果人们根据这些定义来理解宗教和科学，那末它们之间就显得不可能朦胧什么冲突了。因为科学只能断言"是什么"，而不能断言"应当是什么"，可是在它的范围之外，一切种类的价值判断仍是必要的。而与此相反，宗教只涉及对人类思想和行动的评价：它不能够有根据地谈到各种事实以及它们之间的关系。依照这种解释，过去宗教同科学之间人所共知的冲突则应当完全归咎于对上述情况的误解。
比如，当宗教团体坚持《圣经》上所记载的一切话都是绝对真理的时候，就引起了冲突。这意味着宗教方面对科学领域的干涉；教会反对伽利略和达尔文学说的斗争就是属于这一类。另一方面，科学的代表人物也常常根据科学方法试图对价值和目的作出根本性的判断，这样，他们就把自已置于同宗教对立的地位。这些冲突全都来源于可悲的错误。
然而，尽管宗教的和科学的领域本身彼此是界线分明的，可是两者之间还是存在着牢固的相互关系和依存性。虽然宗教可以决定目标，但它还是从最广义的科学学到了用什么样的手段可以达到自已所建立起来的目标。可是科学只能由那些全心全意追求真理和向往理解事物的人来创造。然而这种感情的源泉却来自宗教的领域。同样属于这个源泉的是这样一种信仰：相信那对于现存世界有效的规律能够是合乎理性的，也就是说可以由理性来理解的。我不能设想一位真正科学家会没有这样深挚的信仰。这情况可以用这样一个形象来比喻：科学没有宗教就象瘸子，宗教没有科学就象瞎子。
虽然我在上面曾经断言宗教同科学之间实在不可能存在什么正当的冲突，但我还是必须在一个重要地方再一次对这个断言作一点保留，那就是关于历史上宗教的实际内容。这种保留必然同上帝的概念有关。在人类精神进化的幼年时期，人的幻想按照人自已的样子创造出了各种神来，而这些神则被认为通过它们意志的作用在决定着，或者无论如何在影响着这个现象世界。人们企求借助于巫术和祈祷来改变这些神的意向，使其有利于他们自已。现在宗教教义中的上帝观念是古老的神的概念的一种升华。比如，人们用各种祈祷来恳求所信奉的神明的援助，以求得满足他们的愿望，这一类事实就说明了这种上帝观念的拟人论的特征。
肯定不会有人否认，这个认为有一个全能、公正和大慈大悲的人格化了的上帝存在的观念，能给人以安慰、帮助和引导；因为这个观念比较简单，它也容易被最不开化的心灵所接受。但是另一方面，这种观念本身有它致命的弱点，这是有史以来就被苦痛地感觉到了的。这就是说，如果这个神是全能的，那末每一件事，包括每一个人的行动，每一个人的思想，以及每一个人的感情和志向也都应当是神的作品；怎么可能设想在这样全能的神面前，还以为人们要对自已的行动和思想负责呢？在作出赏罚时，神会在一定程度上对它自已作出评判。怎么能够把这样的事同神所具有的仁慈和公正结合起来呢？
今天宗教领域同科学领域之间的冲突的主要来源在于人格化了的上帝这个概念。科学的目的是建立那些能决定物体和事件在时间和空间上相互关系的普遍规律。对于自然界的这些规律或者定律，要求--而不是要证明--它们具有绝对的普遍有效性。这主要是一种纲领，而对于这种纲领在原则上是可以完成的信仰，只是建立在部分成功的基础上的。但是大概不会有谁能否认这些部分的成功，而把它们归之于人类的自我斯骗。至于我们能够根据这些定律很精密和很确定地预测一定范围内的现象在时间上的变化情况，这个情况已经深深地扎根于现代人的意识之中，即使他对这些定律的内容也许还了解得很少。他只要考虑一下这样的例子就行了：太阳系中行星的运动可以根据少数几条简单的定律，事先非常准确地计算出来。同样，尽管精确程度有所不同，但还是可能事先算出电动机、输电系统、或者无线电装置的运转方式，甚至在处理比这些还要新的事物时也是这样。
显然，当一个复杂现象中起作用的因子数目太大时，科学方法在大多数情况下就无能为力了。人们只要想起天气就可知道，对于天气，甚至要作几天的预测也不可能。但没有谁会怀疑，我们这里所碰到的是这样一个因果联系，它的起因成分大体上我们是知道的。这个领域里的现象之所以在精度预测的范围之外，是因为起作用的因素的庞杂，而不是自然界中没有什么秩序可言。
关于生物领域里的规律性，我们所洞察到的还很不深刻，但至少也已足以使人感觉到它是受着确定的必然性的支配的。人们只要想一想遗传中有规律的秩序，以及毒物（比如酒精）对生物行为的影响就可明白。这里所缺少的仍然是对那些具有广泛普遍性的联系的了解，而不是秩序知识的本身。
一个人愈是深刻感受到一切事件都有安排好的规律性，他就愈是坚定地深信：除了这种安排好的规律性，再没有余地可让那些本性不同的原因存在。对他来说，不论是人的支配还是神的支配，都不能作为自然界事件的一个独立原因而存在着。固然，主张有一个能干涉自然界事件的人格化的上帝这种教义，决不会被科学真正驳倒，因为这种教义总是能够躲进科学知识尚未插足的一些领域里去的。
但我确信：宗教代表人物的这种行为，不仅是不足取的，而且也是可悲的。因为一种不能在光天化日之下而只能在黑暗中站得住脚的教义，由于它对人类进步有着数不清的害处，必然会失去它对人类的影响。在为美德而斗争中，宗教导师们应当有魄力放弃那个人格化的上帝的教义，也就是放弃过去曾把那么大的权力交给教士手里的那个恐惧和希望的源泉。在他们的劳动中，他们应当利用那些能够在人类自已的身上培养出来的善、真和美的力量。不错，这是一个比较困难的任务，然而却是一个价值无比的任务。在宗教导师们完成了上述的净化过程以后，他们必定会高兴地认识到：真正的宗教已被科学知识提高了境界，而且意义也更加深远了。
如果要使人类尽可能从自私自利的要求、欲望和恐惧的奴役中解放出来是宗教的目标之一，那末科学推理还能够从另一角度来帮助宗教。固然科学的目标是在发现规律，使人们能用以把各种事实联系起来，并且能预测这些事实，但这不是它唯一的目的。它还试图把所发现联系归结为数目尽可能少的几个彼此独立的概念元素。正是在这种把各种和样东西合理地统一起来的努力中，它取得了最伟大的成就，尽管也正是这种企图使它冒着会成为妄想的牺牲品的最大危险。但凡是曾经在这个领域里胜利前进中有过深切经验的人，对存在中所显示出来的合理性，都会感到深挚的崇敬。通过理解，他从个人的愿望和欲望的枷锁里完全解放出来，从而对体现于存在之中的理性的庄严抱着谦恭的态度，而这种庄严的理性由于其极度的深奥，对人来说，是可望而不可即的。但是从宗教这个词的最高意义来说，我认为这种态度就是宗教的态度。因此我以为科学不仅替宗教的冲动清洗了它的拟人论的渣滓，而且也帮助我们对生活的理解能达到宗教的精神境界。
在我看来，人类精神愈是向前进化，就愈可以肯定地说，通向真正宗教感情的道路，不是对生和死的恐惧，也不是盲目信仰，而是对理性知识的追求。从这个意义上来说，我相信，一个教士如果愿意公正地对待他的崇高的教育使命，他就必须成为一个导师。
2007年3月28日星期三
2007年3月15日星期四
2007年3月14日星期三
Top 5 Things That Should Be Taught In Every School
说起教育来，这真是一件复杂的事情，学校应该教给我们什么呢？还是先看看Brian Kim 的观点吧！
Top 5 Things That Should Be Taught In Every School
By: Brian Kim - March 13, 2007
I can’t speak for schools outside the United States, but for those readers who went to school in America, I think you’ll agree that the American education system is in sore need of an upgrade. The world is changing at such a rapid pace and it’s my strong opinion that there should be more classes dedicated to helping students prepare and cope with the real world once they graduate.
If you look at this generation of students, you’ll find that most are “shell shocked” once they graduate because they had little or no preparation for what was to come.
High school mostly teaches you to memorize information and to regurgitate it back to your teacher, only to completely erase the information from your mind the moment you walk out after taking the test.
When you go on to college, you do a bit of the same things, but you also learn to think analytically, critically, and to broaden your mind so to speak, but even people who graduate from college will learn lessons from the real world the hard way as well. The sad part is all of this could’ve been prevented with some proper education beforehand.
Below are five things that I firmly believe should be taught in every school in America so that students don’t get railroaded when they enter the real world. If you’re still in school and reading this, consider it your lucky day as mastering these five skills will give you a great head start and help separate you from the rest of the pack as well.
#1. Personal Finance
Every week or so, there always seems to be a new article in CNN, USA Today, or Yahoo about young adults struggling with debt, whether it be from credit cards or loans in general. High interest rates, hidden fees, not consolidating debt – these terms and concepts are mostly unknown to young adults and because of that ignorance, they tend to make big errors in judgment. A prime example is thinking that they just have to pay the minimum on their balance and not realizing that by doing so, they pay 2-3 times as much in the long run.
Alongside that, most young adults don’t have a clue on how to invest their money. They don’t know what a Roth IRA account is, or a 401k, or the magic of compound interest, the tax benefits associated with investing in these types of vehicles, etc. There’s a lot of specialized knowledge out there that young adults are not aware of on when it comes to how they can invest their money and as a result, they frivolously spend it away.
Credit score is another big thing. A lot of young adults don’t bother to check up on it to make sure there are no errors with it. Your credit score is your report card in the real world and it comes into play when you’re buying a car, renting your first apartment, and even when you’re getting a job (most employers are now checking credit scores to determine how responsible the candidate is). Protect that at all costs. Learn what drives your credit score down. Learn what drives your credit score up. Check up on it every now and then to ensure nothing is wrong with it.
Even something as basic as creating a simple budget is beyond the grasp of some young adults and it simply amazes me that a lot of people don’t do this and some don’t even know how (you’d be surprised). Figure out your income after taxes, pay yourself FIRST (this is a big one – most people pay the bills and frivolously spend the leftovers until next payday), see what you can cut out if things are tight, look to see where you can bring in more income if you need to do so, etc.
Another important subset regarding personal finance are those “intangible” things, such as learning to differentiate between need and want, delaying the gratification, and having an inner sense of value. These concepts can’t be taught in the classroom but only taught through oneself via self discipline.
We live in a materialistic society where unfortunately, many young people grow up with the “have” then “be” mentality.
If I have _______, then I’ll be ____________.
Blame it on the media, advertising, or the impressionable minds of young people, but you’ll frequently see that a lot of people get stuck in this mentality and as a result, needlessly pile themselves in a mountain of debt.
One thing that I want to point out to students is that you’ll find as you get older, that a lot of people “fake” success. Not all, but a pretty big chunk. The neighbor or co-worker you see with the fancy car and nice clothes are most likely knee deep in debt while you’ll find the people with the average car and clothes have little or no debt and a nice big cushion of savings to that as well.
And the ironic and sad part is that most people don’t really care about other people because they’re so busy with themselves, so all that effort to impress others is really all in vain. The inherent danger in trying to accumulate expensive things to feel good about yourself is that you’re telling yourself that you need something outside of yourself to validate you, when everything you need to validate yourself is already within you. Stop looking for anything outside of you because there will always be something new and better to purchase. It’s like a dog chasing its tail. You’ll never catch it. Learn to simplify your life and to be content and grateful for the things you have. Don’t get caught up in the materialistic chase because once you do, it’s hard to get out.
#2. Communicating Effectively
By this, I’m not necessarily talking about giving speeches and presentations, although that certainly falls in this category. I ‘m mainly talking about being able to clearly take what’s in your head and to put it into words so the other person clearly understands what you’re saying the first time.
I know that sounds simple, but I’m sure you’ve met people in the workplace who don’t take the time to prepare when they speak with you and as a result, waste your time talking in circles when all you want to say to them is: “Can you take some time to think through what you want to say and come back to me later with that?”
Communicating effectively is one of the most underrated, yet most powerful skills you can develop.
The biggest part in communicating effectively is preparing what you want to say beforehand. Keep it simple. What’s my point? Why? Prepare a good example.
Your best friend in communicating effectively are these two words: “For example”. Whenever you see a confused look on people’s faces, your best response is leading with those two words: For example. When you do that AND follow up with a relevant example, it allows the other person to “frame” what you’re talking about to get a better idea of what it is.
Communicating effectively is one of THE MOST underrated and MOST valuable skills a person can have. And let me tell you on a personal level, there’s nothing more refreshing than dealing with people who take the time to prepare what they have to say and back it up with clear examples. It’s a very rare skill nowadays.
#3. Social Skills
Closely related to communicating effectively are social skills in general. After you graduate, you’re not going to be dealing with your high school or frat buddies anymore.
You’ll be dealing with many people from different backgrounds, countries, and more importantly different age groups, so it would be wise to learn how to socialize outside your own group.
Cut the slang. Learn to respect customs from other countries. Learn how to listen – few people do. Learn when to speak and when NOT to (hint – you have two ears and one mouth. There’s a reason for that).
Build rapport. Learn the art of networking – that’s key. Networking is a big skill that’s not taught enough in schools. Learn to compliment. Mingle. Make small talk.
Learn to approach people – that’s another big skill. Most people don’t have the guts to take the first initiative and introduce themselves. Be the big man. Take the first step. Learn to make the other person feel good and important. Dale Carnegie is your best friend in this area (Google his name if you don’t know what I’m talking about)
#4. Sales
Obviously I’m not advocating people becoming a salesman after school, but learning the art of selling is what I’m advocating. If you think about it, we all sell everyday. We sell ideas to our boss. We sell to our friends when we pitch ideas on what to do this weekend. We sell ourselves in job interviews.
You could say that sales is a great combination of social skills and communicating effectively, but with some other components you should pick up that will be useful.
Listen. Really listen.
Actively listen.
Learn how to be convincing.
Be persuasive.
Think of objections and counter them ahead of time.
Stress benefits instead of features.
Listen to the other person. (yes I know it’s a repeat, but it’s for emphasis)
Develop empathy.
Think in terms of how you can help serve the other person.
Selling is one of the few skills that can be utilized in any job or career. It’s one of the most important cross marketable skills you will ever develop.
#5: Time Management
Speaking of other skills that can be utilized in any job and career is time management. The majority of students never really learn to value their time and mange it while in school. Procrastination is all too rampant (studying right before class, doing homework and essays the day it’s due, partying the night before the exam). This lack of time management often carries over into adulthood, which becomes a major liability.
Learn to make a to do list. Learn to prioritize. Learn to break things down into 30 minute blocks of time. Learn about actionable items. David Allen’s GTD system is your best friend here along with Dan Kennedy’s No B.S Time Management. Again if you’re unfamiliar with these people, Google is your best friend, but I’m sure the majority of readers will know what I’m talking about.
+1. Health
It’s not enough to make students run a mile and play sports. Education is needed now more than ever. Education on the dangers of consuming too much fast food. Education on what diets in high sugar and fat can do to the body. Education on proper nutrition. Education on the importance of exercising regularly as well.
I think if schools start teaching these kinds of things, we could nip so many problems in the bud because most teenagers will not research this material on their own. The few that do have a head start in life but if we can’t teach them, schools should at the very least raise some sort of awareness and have an introductory class that talks about them – Real World 101.
If you have any friends or family who are still in school, please forward them this article. Think of it as a cheat sheet for the real world. You’ll be doing them a great service and they will most definitely thank you after they graduate. I guarantee it.
Top 5 Things That Should Be Taught In Every School
By: Brian Kim - March 13, 2007
I can’t speak for schools outside the United States, but for those readers who went to school in America, I think you’ll agree that the American education system is in sore need of an upgrade. The world is changing at such a rapid pace and it’s my strong opinion that there should be more classes dedicated to helping students prepare and cope with the real world once they graduate.
If you look at this generation of students, you’ll find that most are “shell shocked” once they graduate because they had little or no preparation for what was to come.
High school mostly teaches you to memorize information and to regurgitate it back to your teacher, only to completely erase the information from your mind the moment you walk out after taking the test.
When you go on to college, you do a bit of the same things, but you also learn to think analytically, critically, and to broaden your mind so to speak, but even people who graduate from college will learn lessons from the real world the hard way as well. The sad part is all of this could’ve been prevented with some proper education beforehand.
Below are five things that I firmly believe should be taught in every school in America so that students don’t get railroaded when they enter the real world. If you’re still in school and reading this, consider it your lucky day as mastering these five skills will give you a great head start and help separate you from the rest of the pack as well.
#1. Personal Finance
Every week or so, there always seems to be a new article in CNN, USA Today, or Yahoo about young adults struggling with debt, whether it be from credit cards or loans in general. High interest rates, hidden fees, not consolidating debt – these terms and concepts are mostly unknown to young adults and because of that ignorance, they tend to make big errors in judgment. A prime example is thinking that they just have to pay the minimum on their balance and not realizing that by doing so, they pay 2-3 times as much in the long run.
Alongside that, most young adults don’t have a clue on how to invest their money. They don’t know what a Roth IRA account is, or a 401k, or the magic of compound interest, the tax benefits associated with investing in these types of vehicles, etc. There’s a lot of specialized knowledge out there that young adults are not aware of on when it comes to how they can invest their money and as a result, they frivolously spend it away.
Credit score is another big thing. A lot of young adults don’t bother to check up on it to make sure there are no errors with it. Your credit score is your report card in the real world and it comes into play when you’re buying a car, renting your first apartment, and even when you’re getting a job (most employers are now checking credit scores to determine how responsible the candidate is). Protect that at all costs. Learn what drives your credit score down. Learn what drives your credit score up. Check up on it every now and then to ensure nothing is wrong with it.
Even something as basic as creating a simple budget is beyond the grasp of some young adults and it simply amazes me that a lot of people don’t do this and some don’t even know how (you’d be surprised). Figure out your income after taxes, pay yourself FIRST (this is a big one – most people pay the bills and frivolously spend the leftovers until next payday), see what you can cut out if things are tight, look to see where you can bring in more income if you need to do so, etc.
Another important subset regarding personal finance are those “intangible” things, such as learning to differentiate between need and want, delaying the gratification, and having an inner sense of value. These concepts can’t be taught in the classroom but only taught through oneself via self discipline.
We live in a materialistic society where unfortunately, many young people grow up with the “have” then “be” mentality.
If I have _______, then I’ll be ____________.
Blame it on the media, advertising, or the impressionable minds of young people, but you’ll frequently see that a lot of people get stuck in this mentality and as a result, needlessly pile themselves in a mountain of debt.
One thing that I want to point out to students is that you’ll find as you get older, that a lot of people “fake” success. Not all, but a pretty big chunk. The neighbor or co-worker you see with the fancy car and nice clothes are most likely knee deep in debt while you’ll find the people with the average car and clothes have little or no debt and a nice big cushion of savings to that as well.
And the ironic and sad part is that most people don’t really care about other people because they’re so busy with themselves, so all that effort to impress others is really all in vain. The inherent danger in trying to accumulate expensive things to feel good about yourself is that you’re telling yourself that you need something outside of yourself to validate you, when everything you need to validate yourself is already within you. Stop looking for anything outside of you because there will always be something new and better to purchase. It’s like a dog chasing its tail. You’ll never catch it. Learn to simplify your life and to be content and grateful for the things you have. Don’t get caught up in the materialistic chase because once you do, it’s hard to get out.
#2. Communicating Effectively
By this, I’m not necessarily talking about giving speeches and presentations, although that certainly falls in this category. I ‘m mainly talking about being able to clearly take what’s in your head and to put it into words so the other person clearly understands what you’re saying the first time.
I know that sounds simple, but I’m sure you’ve met people in the workplace who don’t take the time to prepare when they speak with you and as a result, waste your time talking in circles when all you want to say to them is: “Can you take some time to think through what you want to say and come back to me later with that?”
Communicating effectively is one of the most underrated, yet most powerful skills you can develop.
The biggest part in communicating effectively is preparing what you want to say beforehand. Keep it simple. What’s my point? Why? Prepare a good example.
Your best friend in communicating effectively are these two words: “For example”. Whenever you see a confused look on people’s faces, your best response is leading with those two words: For example. When you do that AND follow up with a relevant example, it allows the other person to “frame” what you’re talking about to get a better idea of what it is.
Communicating effectively is one of THE MOST underrated and MOST valuable skills a person can have. And let me tell you on a personal level, there’s nothing more refreshing than dealing with people who take the time to prepare what they have to say and back it up with clear examples. It’s a very rare skill nowadays.
#3. Social Skills
Closely related to communicating effectively are social skills in general. After you graduate, you’re not going to be dealing with your high school or frat buddies anymore.
You’ll be dealing with many people from different backgrounds, countries, and more importantly different age groups, so it would be wise to learn how to socialize outside your own group.
Cut the slang. Learn to respect customs from other countries. Learn how to listen – few people do. Learn when to speak and when NOT to (hint – you have two ears and one mouth. There’s a reason for that).
Build rapport. Learn the art of networking – that’s key. Networking is a big skill that’s not taught enough in schools. Learn to compliment. Mingle. Make small talk.
Learn to approach people – that’s another big skill. Most people don’t have the guts to take the first initiative and introduce themselves. Be the big man. Take the first step. Learn to make the other person feel good and important. Dale Carnegie is your best friend in this area (Google his name if you don’t know what I’m talking about)
#4. Sales
Obviously I’m not advocating people becoming a salesman after school, but learning the art of selling is what I’m advocating. If you think about it, we all sell everyday. We sell ideas to our boss. We sell to our friends when we pitch ideas on what to do this weekend. We sell ourselves in job interviews.
You could say that sales is a great combination of social skills and communicating effectively, but with some other components you should pick up that will be useful.
Listen. Really listen.
Actively listen.
Learn how to be convincing.
Be persuasive.
Think of objections and counter them ahead of time.
Stress benefits instead of features.
Listen to the other person. (yes I know it’s a repeat, but it’s for emphasis)
Develop empathy.
Think in terms of how you can help serve the other person.
Selling is one of the few skills that can be utilized in any job or career. It’s one of the most important cross marketable skills you will ever develop.
#5: Time Management
Speaking of other skills that can be utilized in any job and career is time management. The majority of students never really learn to value their time and mange it while in school. Procrastination is all too rampant (studying right before class, doing homework and essays the day it’s due, partying the night before the exam). This lack of time management often carries over into adulthood, which becomes a major liability.
Learn to make a to do list. Learn to prioritize. Learn to break things down into 30 minute blocks of time. Learn about actionable items. David Allen’s GTD system is your best friend here along with Dan Kennedy’s No B.S Time Management. Again if you’re unfamiliar with these people, Google is your best friend, but I’m sure the majority of readers will know what I’m talking about.
+1. Health
It’s not enough to make students run a mile and play sports. Education is needed now more than ever. Education on the dangers of consuming too much fast food. Education on what diets in high sugar and fat can do to the body. Education on proper nutrition. Education on the importance of exercising regularly as well.
I think if schools start teaching these kinds of things, we could nip so many problems in the bud because most teenagers will not research this material on their own. The few that do have a head start in life but if we can’t teach them, schools should at the very least raise some sort of awareness and have an introductory class that talks about them – Real World 101.
If you have any friends or family who are still in school, please forward them this article. Think of it as a cheat sheet for the real world. You’ll be doing them a great service and they will most definitely thank you after they graduate. I guarantee it.
2007年3月12日星期一
gallery: a "real" man
下面展出的可不是什么照片啊，而是一个artist自画像，人家可是用了Maya, mental ray, Photoshop, ZBrush四种作图工具来画成的，真的很不容易，当然图片也是相当帅呆了！
2007年3月11日星期日
电影：我们俩——you and me
Director: Ma Liwen
Producers: Han Sanping, Jiang Tao, Lu Hongshi.
Executive Producer: Wang Daqing
Co-Producers: Zhao Haicheng, Wu Yakang.
Screenwriter: Ma Liwen
Editor: Zhan Haihong
Music: Dou Wei
Cinematographer: Wu Di, Wu Wai
Art Director: Liu Kedong
Sound: Zhang Jinyan
Cast: Jin Yaqin, Gong Zhe
Running time: 83 MIN.
Release in China: 2005.
Jason’s Rating: B+ (Very Good)
Jason’s Rating: B+ (Very Good)
With two features dealing with the aged women and their troubled relations to either their siblings or strangers, woman director Ma Liwen, a graduate from Beijing-based Central Academy of Theater Arts, gains solid ground on a profession that is disproportionately dominated by BFA-educated (Beijing Film Academy) filmmakers. Gone is the One Who Held Me the Dearest (2002), Ma’s directorial debut, is adapted from a novella by a famed Chinese writer. This time, however, Ma scripted her own film, and the result of which is a story with literary refinement and psychological depth that looks as if it was adapted from a literary work.
You and Me is punctuated by four seasons, a structure that is increasingly favored by directors of art film. Picture starts with an impressive wide shot of the snow-covered barren landscape of Beijing, in which Xiao Ma, a newly arrived college freshman, is introduced. Looking for a cheap yet well-located place to live, she knocks on doors in cold weather and ends up with no choice but renting a cramped room in a siheyuan (a four-walled compound surrounding a central courtyard) owned by a seemingly stingy old woman in her 80s. From the first day Xiao Ma moves in, the unlikely couple finds each other intolerable and stubbornly selfish. While the old woman insists on unreasonable charges for phone, gas, and electricity, Xiao Ma fights her way to get it even. As the two feisty women spit out insults on each other, they also develop a strange closeness when the spring sunshine gradually melts away the cold winter. The old woman finds Xiao Ma a delightful remedy to her lonely life, while Xiao Ma discovers a warm and caring old lady behind the “mask” of stubbornness and eccentricity. The picture ends with Xiao Ma becoming an intimate friend to the old lady in her last days.
From the very beginning, the picture is dominated by a suffocating bluish look, which perfectly matches the spatial confinement resulted from extreme close-ups and monotonous life in the shabby siheyuan. The director skillfully explores the space and color, which almost turn into a third character besides the old lady and Xiao Ma. Jin Yaqin’s performance, for which she was crowned Best Actress at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Golden Rooster Film Festival of China, is unforgettably superb and mesmerizing. Gong Zhe, on the other hand, brightens the film with her convincing portrayal of a college student in Beijing.
Ma’s script is not without flaws, however. In the scene where Xiao Ma comes home with a video camera to interview the old lady, for example, Ma could have used the rare opportunity to let the old lady reminisce her past so as to add depth and likeability to the character. The closeness between the old lady and Xiao Ma could have been exclamatorily reinforced by adding a scene in which the old lady hands the painting, although almost a part of her life, to Xiao Ma when she moves out of the siheyuan. It is true that film is the art of regrets, as the old saying proclaims, but these script flaws could be easily fixed before the camera starts to crank.
In general, the movie leaves me with the impression that the director is so ambitious in creating a dramatically entertaining conflict between the two main characters that there are too many traits symbolizing such conflict in the set, the props, even the color tones of the scenes - which, from certain prospective, appears to be a little pretentious. For example, the tenant, who seems to be an art major college student in her twenties, is mostly labeled with bright colors - the red jumper inside the old army coat, the bright and vivid decoration of her small room, even the blush from coldness on her young, innocent face. In the mean time, the tinges representing the old landlady are always dull – mainly gray. Conceivably, along with the bettering up of the relationship between the two characters, these representative colors gradually merge into the world of each other, just as we can see from a scene (which turns out to be the very first significant turning point of the whole plot) where the young girl was decorating the little yard with colorful paper lanterns, smiling gaily at the old landlady sitting leisurely outside the door of her room.The director apparently develops so much affection for the capital city of China that she, to some extent, seems to be endeavoring to create on the big screen an ideal Beijing in her head. The story begins on a clear sunny day after a heavy snow in a freezing winter in a quiet old szu-ho-yuan, a sort of compound with traditional Chinese houses of greybricks and tiles built around a courtyard. Used to be the most conspicuous symbols of Beijing, however, such old courtyard and high clear sky are actually more and more unlikely to be seen today largely due to the prosperous urban planning and reconstruction almost everywhere in this city as well as the heavy pollution of the air and the greenhouse effect. Besides their exotic appeal to the foreign audiences who are not so familiar with the "good old Beijing", these highly personalized features also added some reminiscent flavor into the movie, which reminds me of Amelie, in which the director even cleared for the hide-and-seek scene the Saint Coeur Church, where was always crowded with tons of tourists in Paris.Despite these sedulous strokes, the film is still, at least in general, a quite agreeable cameo. This is largely due to the way the director is telling the story – for most of the time, the plot is smoothly developed despite sort of avoidable triteness in the cinematography and some of the dialogues. Although such lack of genius can commonly be seen in the debut works of new directors, Ma's genuine and sincere endeavors, especially when comparing with those too tactical techniques played by some of the famous movie makers, still manage to demonstrate her ability to produce an generally entertaining and touching film.The performance of the two main heroines is also a remarkable feature of this film. Jin Yaqin, the 84-year-old actress in Beijing People's Art Theatre which is the most premier and high-level national drama art theater in China, won the award of best actress in Tokyo Film Festival; while Gong Zhe, who herself was a art major college student then and had never had any acting experience before, also made her debut in the film a quite memorable one by her natural and fresh performance – although the highly frequent scene of her pushing the old big bicycle in exactly the same way do make audience feel hilariously bored. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0757376/usercomments
把文件藏进图片里
记得有一个师兄在搞水印的研究，把一些机密的东东加载到普通的图片上进行传输，真是神不知鬼不觉啊。
不过，刚刚从煎蛋上面看到了一种新式的方法——就当是“虚拟水印”吧！
1：准备一张图片，比如 jian.jpg。准备目标文件，比如dan.txt。我们要实现把dan.txt隐藏在图片里面。
2：打开命令行提示符：点击“开始→运行”，输入“cmd”。
3：把要隐藏的文件 dan.txt 用 WinRAR 压缩。生成 dan.rar 压缩包
4：我们假设中两个文件都存放在“ D:/jandan ”下。输入命令：copy /b D:/jandan/jian.jpg + D:/jandan/dan.rar D:/jandan/jiandan.jpg
5：ok，试试打开生成的图片 jiandan.jpg，没错吧，的的确确是原来的图片。
6：怎样打开那个 txt 文件？打开 WinRAR ，点击“文件→打开（快捷键 Ctrl + O ）”，然后选择文件类型为“所有文件”，找到 jiandan.jpg ，选择打开看看，是不是有个 txt 文件？
2：打开命令行提示符：点击“开始→运行”，输入“cmd”。
3：把要隐藏的文件 dan.txt 用 WinRAR 压缩。生成 dan.rar 压缩包
4：我们假设中两个文件都存放在“ D:/jandan ”下。输入命令：copy /b D:/jandan/jian.jpg + D:/jandan/dan.rar D:/jandan/jiandan.jpg
5：ok，试试打开生成的图片 jiandan.jpg，没错吧，的的确确是原来的图片。
6：怎样打开那个 txt 文件？打开 WinRAR ，点击“文件→打开（快捷键 Ctrl + O ）”，然后选择文件类型为“所有文件”，找到 jiandan.jpg ，选择打开看看，是不是有个 txt 文件？
What Happens to your Body if you Stop Smoking Right Now ?
总的来说，吸烟的人真的不少啊。从周围的同学到家中的老爸，都信仰着“吸烟——成仙”的理由，但每个人都能深刻地认识到——吸烟有害健康！真是一个悖论啊！
好了，还是先看看What Happens to your Body if you Stop Smoking Right Now ?这篇文章吧！看完可爱的烟友们就不会再说“戒烟的效果不会立杆见影”了！
What Happens to your Body if you Stop Smoking Right Now ?
I think one of the main reasons it’s so hard to quit smoking is because all the benefits of quitting and all the dangers of continuing seem very far away. Well, here’s a little timeline about some of the more immediate effects of quitting smoking and how that will affect your body RIGHT NOW.
In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas一氧化碳) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
In 72 hours your bronchial tubes（支气管） will relax, and your energy levels will increase.
In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
In three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
So, you have more immediate things to look forward to if you quit now besides just freaking out about not being able to smoke.
好了，还是先看看What Happens to your Body if you Stop Smoking Right Now ?这篇文章吧！看完可爱的烟友们就不会再说“戒烟的效果不会立杆见影”了！
What Happens to your Body if you Stop Smoking Right Now ?
I think one of the main reasons it’s so hard to quit smoking is because all the benefits of quitting and all the dangers of continuing seem very far away. Well, here’s a little timeline about some of the more immediate effects of quitting smoking and how that will affect your body RIGHT NOW.
In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas一氧化碳) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.
In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
In 72 hours your bronchial tubes（支气管） will relax, and your energy levels will increase.
In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
In three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
So, you have more immediate things to look forward to if you quit now besides just freaking out about not being able to smoke.
2007年3月10日星期六
"Come in" or "Go away"
在www.suck.uk.com有一款door-knob hanger别具特色，不信可以看一下啦！
当然还是会有其它的设计方式的，不信就看看这一款门垫吧，它放在门口不光是为清除鞋底的污秽而且还让你看到一句亲切的‘Come in’，当你出门时它的文体正好反过来就变成了‘Go away’。的确是一件小有创意的设计，在普通的角落也让你想尽生活中的幽默与不经意的趣味。
当然还是会有其它的设计方式的，不信就看看这一款门垫吧，它放在门口不光是为清除鞋底的污秽而且还让你看到一句亲切的‘Come in’，当你出门时它的文体正好反过来就变成了‘Go away’。的确是一件小有创意的设计，在普通的角落也让你想尽生活中的幽默与不经意的趣味。
什么时候nicecomet也可以设计成这样子，就ok了，嘻嘻！
FREE online photgraphy course（免费在线摄影课程）
Jodie Coston is a freelance photographer who lives in northwestern Montana. She has exhibited her work in gallery exhibitions around the world and has won numerous international awards for her images.第一课 图片解读 ——Composition And Impact - It's A Beautiful Photograph, But Do You Know WHY It's Beautiful?
第二课 光圈与快门的配合 ——Aperture And Shutter Speed - How They Work Together？
第三课 焦距 ——The lens - choosing camera optics.
第四课 ISO，颗粒度，透明以及反转片，专业胶片 ——ISO, Grain, Transparency vs. Negative, Specialty Films
第五课 滤镜、柔焦等花样 ——Fun Effects - Camera Filters, Soft Focus, Zooming And Panning
第六课 景观、自然和旅行摄影 ——Landscape, Nature and Travel Photography
第七课 人像和室内灯光 ——Portraits And Studio Lighting
第八课 室内灯光 ——Studio Lighting - Still Life and Product Photography
第九课 尝试所有技术 ——Tying It All Together
第十课 特别要求 ——Special Requests
第十一课 复合摄影 ——Meaning in Composition
第十二课 如何拍摄运动的车辆 ——Photographing moving vehicles
第二课 光圈与快门的配合 ——Aperture And Shutter Speed - How They Work Together？
第三课 焦距 ——The lens - choosing camera optics.
第四课 ISO，颗粒度，透明以及反转片，专业胶片 ——ISO, Grain, Transparency vs. Negative, Specialty Films
第五课 滤镜、柔焦等花样 ——Fun Effects - Camera Filters, Soft Focus, Zooming And Panning
第六课 景观、自然和旅行摄影 ——Landscape, Nature and Travel Photography
第七课 人像和室内灯光 ——Portraits And Studio Lighting
第八课 室内灯光 ——Studio Lighting - Still Life and Product Photography
第九课 尝试所有技术 ——Tying It All Together
第十课 特别要求 ——Special Requests
第十一课 复合摄影 ——Meaning in Composition
第十二课 如何拍摄运动的车辆 ——Photographing moving vehicles
Scientist: Four golden lessons
Nature 426, 389 (27 November 2003); doi:10.1038/426389a
Scientist: Four golden lessons
STEVEN WEINBERG
Steven Weinberg is in the Department of Physics, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA. This essay is based on a commencement talk given by the author at the Science Convocation at McGill University in June 2003.
When I received my undergraduate degree — about a hundred years ago — the physics literature seemed to me a vast, unexplored ocean, every part of which I had to chart before beginning any research of my own. How could I do anything without knowing everything that had already been done? Fortunately, in my first year of graduate school, I had the good luck to fall into the hands of senior physicists who insisted, over my anxious objections, that I must start doing research, and pick up what I needed to know as I went along. It was sink or swim. To my surprise, I found that this works. I managed to get a quick PhD — though when I got it I knew almost nothing about physics. But I did learn one big thing: that no one knows everything, and you don‘t have to.
Another lesson to be learned, to continue using my oceanographic metaphor, is that while you are swimming and not sinking you should aim for rough water. When I was teaching at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the late 1960s, a student told me that he wanted to go into general relativity rather than the area I was working on, elementary particle physics, because the principles of the former were well known, while the latter seemed like a mess to him. It struck me that he had just given a perfectly good reason for doing the opposite. Particle physics was an area where creative work could still be done. It really was a mess in the 1960s, but since that time the work of many theoretical and experimental physicists has been able to sort it out, and put everything (well, almost everything) together in a beautiful theory known as the standard model. My advice is to go for the messes — that‘s where the action is.
My third piece of advice is probably the hardest to take. It is to forgive yourself for wasting time. Students are only asked to solve problems that their professors (unless unusually cruel) know to be solvable. In addition, it doesn‘t matter if the problems are scientifically important — they have to be solved to pass the course. But in the real world, it‘s very hard to know which problems are important, and you never know whether at a given moment in history a problem is solvable. At the beginning of the twentieth century, several leading physicists, including Lorentz and Abraham, were trying to work out a theory of the electron. This was partly in order to understand why all attempts to detect effects of Earth‘s motion through the ether had failed. We now know that they were working on the wrong problem. At that time, no one could have developed a successful theory of the electron, because quantum mechanics had not yet been discovered. It took the genius of Albert Einstein in 1905 to realize that the right problem on which to work was the effect of motion on measurements of space and time. This led him to the special theory of relativity. As you will never be sure which are the right problems to work on, most of the time that you spend in the laboratory or at your desk will be wasted. If you want to be creative, then you will have to get used to spending most of your time not being creative, to being becalmed on the ocean of scientific knowledge.
Finally, learn something about the history of science, or at a minimum the history of your own branch of science. The least important reason for this is that the history may actually be of some use to you in your own scientific work. For instance, now and then scientists are hampered by believing one of the over-simplified models of science that have been proposed by philosophers from Francis Bacon to Thomas Kuhn and Karl Popper. The best antidote to the philosophy of science is a knowledge of the history of science.
More importantly, the history of science can make your work seem more worthwhile to you. As a scientist, you‘re probably not going to get rich. Your friends and relatives probably won‘t understand what you‘re doing. And if you work in a field like elementary particle physics, you won‘t even have the satisfaction of doing something that is immediately useful. But you can get great satisfaction by recognizing that your work in science is a part of history.
Look back 100 years, to 1903. How important is it now who was Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1903, or President of the United States? What stands out as really important is that at McGill University, Ernest Rutherford and Frederick Soddy were working out the nature of radioactivity. This work (of course!) had practical applications, but much more important were its cultural implications. The understanding of radioactivity allowed physicists to explain how the Sun and Earth‘s cores could still be hot after millions of years. In this way, it removed the last scientific objection to what many geologists and paleontologists thought was the great age of the Earth and the Sun. After this, Christians and Jews either had to give up belief in the literal truth of the Bible or resign themselves to intellectual irrelevance. This was just one step in a sequence of steps from Galileo through Newton and Darwin to the present that, time after time, has weakened the hold of religious dogmatism. Reading any newspaper nowadays is enough to show you that this work is not yet complete. But it is civilizing work, of which scientists are able to feel proud.
科学家：四条黄金忠告 【梳枝/译】
Steven Weinberg
Steven Weinberg 现在得克萨斯大学物理系。本文以他 2003年6月在麦克基尔大学科学大会上的讲话为基础。
当我得到大学学位的时候 － 那是百八十年前的事了 － 物理文献在我眼里就象一个未经探索的汪洋大海，我必须在勘测了它的每一个部分之后才能开始自己的研究。做任何事情之前怎么能不先了解所有已经做过了的工作呢？万幸的是，在我做研究生的第一年，我碰到了一些资深的物理学家，他们不顾我忧心忡忡的反对坚持我应该开始进行研究，而在研究的过程中学习所需的东西。这可是生死悠关的事。我惊讶地发现他们的意见是可行的。我设法很快就拿到了一个博士学位 － 虽然我拿到博士学位时对物理学还几乎是一无所知。不过，我的确得到了一个很大的教益：没有人了解所有的知识，你也不必。
另一个忠告就是，如果继续用我的海洋学的比喻的话，当你在大海中搏击而不是沉没时，应该到波涛汹涌的地方去。19世纪60年代末，我在麻省理工大学教书时，一个学生找我说，他想去做广义相对论领域的研究，而不愿意做我所在的领域－ 基本粒子物理学－方向的研究，原因是前者的原理已经很清楚，而后者在他看来则是一团乱麻。而在我看来这正是做相反决定的绝好理由。粒子物理学是一个还可以做创造性工作的领域。它在那个时候的确是乱麻一团，但是，从那时起，许多理论物理学家、试验物理学家的工作把这团乱麻梳理出来，将所有的（嗯，几乎所有的）知识纳入一个叫做标准模型的美丽的理论之中。我的忠告是：到混乱的地方去，那里才是行动所在的地方。
我的第三个忠告可能是最难被接受的。这就是要原谅自己虚掷时光。要求学生们解决的问题都是教授们知道可以得到解决的问题（除非教授非常地残酷）。而且，这些问题在科学上是否重要是无关紧要的，－必须解决他们以通过考试。但是在现实生活中，知道哪些问题重要是非常困难的，而且在历史某一特定时刻你根本无从知道某个问题是否有解。二十世纪初，几个重要的物理学家，包括 Lorentz 和 Abraham, 想创立一种电子理论。部分原因是为了理解为什么探测地球相对以太运动的所有尝试都失败了。我们现在知道，他们研究的问题不对。在当时，没有人能够创立一个成功的电子理论，因为量子力学尚未发现。需要到1905年，天才的爱因斯坦认识到正确的问题是运动在时间空间测量上的效应。沿着这条路线，他创立了相对论。因为你总也不能肯定哪个才是要研究的正确问题，你在实验室里，在书桌前的大部分时间是会虚掷的。如果你想要有创制性，你就必须习惯于大量时间不是创造性的，习惯于在科学知识的海洋上停滞不前。
最后，学一点科学史，起码你所研究的学科的历史。至少学习科学史可能在你自己的科学研究中有点用。比如，科学家会不时因相信从培根到库恩、玻普这些哲学家所提出的过分简化的科学模型而受到桎梏。科学史的知识是科学哲学的最好解毒剂。
更重要的是，科学史的知识可以使你觉得自己的工作更有意义。作为一个科学家，你很可能不会太富裕，你的朋友和亲人可能也不理解你正在做的事情。而如果你研究的是象基本粒子物理学这样的领域，你甚至没有是在从事一种马上就有用的工作所带来的满足。但是，认识到你进行的科学工作是历史的一部分则可以给你带来极大的满足。
看看100年前，1903年。谁是1903年大英帝国的首相、谁是1903年美利坚合众国的总统在现在看来有多重要呢？真正凸现出重要性的是1903年Ernest Rutherford 和Frederick Soddy 在McGill 大学揭示了放射性的本质。这一工作（当然！）有实际的应用，但更加重要的是其文化含义。对放射性的理解使物理学家能够解释为什么几百万年以后太阳和地心仍是滚烫的。这样，就清除了许多地质学家和古生物学家认为地球和太阳存在了很长年代的最后一个科学上的障碍。从此以后，基督教徒和犹太教徒就不得不或者放弃圣经的直接真理性或者把它当成与理智无关的东西。这只是从加利略到牛顿、达尔文，直到现在削弱宗教教条主义桎梏的一系列步伐中的一步。只要读读今天的任何一张报纸，你都会知道这一工作还没有完成。但是，这是一个文明化的工作，对这一工作科学家是可以感到骄傲的。
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