Is it possible to run out of things to study? Or run out of new ideas to explore?
I had dinner with a wonderful friend last night, one of my old roommates from school. Her husband is studying here in Portland and will be writing up a thesis next year. He mentioned that there might not be anything new in his field to write about and study/research for his thesis. I did not say anything because I could not tell if he really meant it or was just feeling tired of people asking him what it will be about.
But it made me wonder...Has there really ever been a time when a subject or area of study dried up? Can we really run out of new ideas? And what would it be like if we thought the answer was yes?
It makes me shiver to think that there could be some who say “yes.” I am confident that my friend will find something to research and develop. I believe it is necessary and crucial for those who are in an academic setting to always dig deeper, look harder, keep open ears, eyes, and minds with their subjects. And I think it is important for us all to do that. If we don't acknowledge possibility, does possibility exist?
Now I need to look around my home, my work, my art, my thoughts, and wonder if I have locked closed doors or shut out possibility. It's usually when I look that I find.
2 comments:
Hi Katie,
You're right; I think there is always a new way to approach things, a new perspective with which to think about old problems. On the other hand, some of my favorite moments come when I'm reading something from a century gone by and realize how aptly it applies to life today. Given the breathtaking variety of experiences out there, there will always be the possibilty of new variations on old themes, and with imagination these variations can turn into something entirely new (or at least independently rediscovered). Anyhow,thanks for your thoughts on this and other things. I really enjoy reading your blog.
I couldn't agree more, Katie. I believe there is always something new to be discovered in every field, even if it is just challenging long held assumptions or beliefs that are related to it. Also, as society becomes more complex fields and disciplines become more and more intertwined and there's a lot of work to do there.
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