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  Topic: Biology @ Coastal Carolina & UNCW, Lou FCD Goes to School< Next Oldest | Next Newest >  
dogdidit



Posts: 315
Joined: Mar. 2008

(Permalink) Posted: Sep. 03 2008,07:41   

Quote (Assassinator @ Sep. 03 2008,06:13)
     
Quote (dogdidit @ Sep. 02 2008,07:50)
I've been eyeing up Lou's textbook; would all agree it's a pretty good choice for an autodidact self-learner?

I won't say per definition. I've been discussing with someone over ID and evolution for about a year now. The guy also has read Biology from Campbell and calls himself an auto-didact, but if you see him talk about evolution and all the subjects around it... Imo, you should always keep some experts on the field around to clearify things. Especially with things like biology and evolution, which include so many other subjects (nuclear physics for example) and the sometimes necessary backgrounds, it's incredibly difficult to teach yourself.

A valid point. Truth to tell, unless I intend to work in the field (and I don't) there is really not much chance of me reaching the level of understanding of even a bachelor's degree candidate. Books are fine but the social transactions of mentoring relationships (starting with professor-student and going on from there...and lasting a lifetime) are absolutely essential. That is partly why I struck out "autodidact"; this is not at all the same as picking up a manual on LISP or perl and banging out some code, and even in engineering there is essential knowledge that can only be gained with the help and guidance of mentors. Not everything is written down in books. And the relative importance of all that is written is not always evident.

What I am looking for is a deeper undertanding that what can be gained from reading books written for the lay public. I can withstand a higher level of technical detail. Engineering is not much help but I do have a Physics bachelors that I dust off from time to time. The fundamentals never change; that's why they are called...well, you get the idea.

 
Quote
But still, I can recommend Campbell. It helped me understand a lot of stuff about various subjects.
Dank u wel, Assassinator!

ETA: Thank you Albie as well for your recommendations.

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"Humans carry plants and animals all over the globe, thus introducing them to places they could never have reached on their own. That certainly increases biodiversity." - D'OL

  
  563 replies since Aug. 20 2008,20:11 < Next Oldest | Next Newest >  

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