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by jon-wood 1867 days ago
Off topic, but as the father to a seven year old I’ve discovered how many things I don’t really understand over the last few years. His interest in black holes recently has me thinking I need to read a whole heap about relativity.
2 comments

> I need to read a whole heap about relativity

ِYou don't, really. Studying physics and cosmology has almost zero instrumental utility (except signalling, where I don't think it's worth its measly returns, and contributes little to the society). The child doesn't know this, but you do; That's why you don't know that much about the topic in the first place. Curiosity is as much about pruning unproductive lines of learning as it is about trying new things.

I suspect this is why six was picked in the anectdote. Kids around that age are really good at asking "why" until you are stuck.