Physics Book

Woohoo, I am going to college. No more waking early everyday and seven-hour schedule. It also means that I have bigger challenges ahead of me. To make matter worse, I signed up for Calculus-based Physics at orientation.

To alleviate my worry, I went to the public library yesterday in search for a book, a college calc-based physics book. The library is not very big, but not especially small, so finding a book should not be a challenge. I was at the science section and found and found. Do you know what I found, nothing? Frustrated, I took a non-calculus-based physics book home, whose material I have seen multiple times already.

It is a disgrace. Libraries should contain much of the information we need, but there are always something math or science that I cannot find. One time, I was trying to borrow a Linear Algebra book (for my interest) but went home empty. Why is it like that? Does it mean math or science should be neglected? NO, A BIG NO.

We have heard talks about importing scientists and engineers from other countries or exporting engineering and scientific endeavor to other countries. I have always wondered, "Why don't we train our own people?" There are plenty of teenagers out there. If the authority (in this case, school, the government, even parents) provides enough support and encouragement, more teenagers would find math and science interesting and may pursue a career in math and science.

Why doesn't the authority do it? because every part of the soceity tries to push the responsbility to another? Parents don't want to help with their kids' homework and expect the school can take care of their kids. The kids are only under the school's control for eight hours, at most. And normally, kids don't tell their problem to figures like teachers and don't seek help when they need it. School can only push the responsbility to the parent, or the government. For example, the schools and teachers want funding for after-school help. However, the government, alreay in lack of money, pushes the responsbility back to the parents and schools. Kids are just a big volleyball in a brutal game.

Maybe I should give the government a bit more credit, such as its effort to make reform like "the no child left behind." Nope, I decide not to give it any more credit than it deserves. That act only benefits the politicans (bush it is), not the students. Every year, the government reports progress. How to report progress? simple, you lower the standard so students can score higher. Therefore, we have ten-graders taking simple Geometry test and Biology test.

I am just trying to acknowledge the existing problem. If someone wants to offer a solution, please. As far as my frustration goes, it hasn't stopped yet. Today I am at a local community college bookstore to continue the search for a calc-based physics book. (I am taking a speech class at this community college) What did I find? Nothing again. I guess my frustration will continue till I see there is one at a public library or a community college bookstore.