Subject: Bored Students

Posted by Charles Tse on 12/29/2010
In Reply To:Bored Students Posted by Chad Green on 12/29/2010

Message:

Hi Chad,

Pls forgive my ignorance and poor knowledge: what is Clemson's Systems Law #2? I try googling it and find no relevant result.

Also, Aaron seems like a bright young man with interest ranging from philosophy to music to physics to finance. Given such diverse interest, I am surprised to hear how shocked you are that he is considering leaving physics, and even imply a lack of moral values of society.

It seems you have two premises:

1) If someone does well in one field, moving to another field is unreasonable, and
2) Bright, educated young man pursuing academia career or scientific knowledge is noble and honorable, but pursuit of prestige, monetary rewards, or simply a job in finance might reflect a lack of moral value.

Michael Jordan spent two years in baseball after winning 3 championship, before coming back to basketball for even greater height and another 3-peat. Maybe Aaron's time in finance eventually leads him back to physics and allow him deeper insight and even greater discovery because he is able to see from a new perspective?

Josh Waitzkin was a chess prodigy who dominated the field before moving on to become martial arts champion, and now the author of the book The Art of Learning. Maybe Aaron moves on to become a successful financier, banker, trader, or finance modeler?

George Soros, who was deep into philosophy and student of Karl Popper, become one of the best speculator and accumulated wealth and prestige and lots of monetary rewards. Maybe Aaron also becomes a legendary fund manager like David E. Shaw or Jim Simons (both university professors before founding their own hedge funds)?

What's wrong with these men, and how does moral value have anything to do with Aaron's decision? Thanks.

ciao,
Charles

Follow Ups:

Bored Students - Chad Green 12/29/2010