Things you wish you knew?

[DrunkOnEstus]

I'd like to know definitive answers to some lingering conspiracies (I expect I'll get answers in this thread) such as:

Did the government take out JFK for talking too much? Have aliens made contact with Earth? Did we really land on the moon? Have scientists discovered cold fusion and get killed for it? Are there vehicles that can get 200-300 MPG, destroyed and kept secret by oil cartels?

If that's too stupid, I'd want to know the ideal human diet/exercise regimen, to get every single vitamin and nutrient the body needs and the exact amount of exertion required to be in 100% optimal peak condition. Shame that information wouldn't exert willpower, and I'd have to quit smoking...

 

[Eeeee0000]

How women can wrap a towel round their head? Seriously how do they know this wizardry? Do they just know this shit instinctually in the same way we know how to bleed the radiator?

http://www.wikihow.com/Wrap-Your-Hair-in-a-Towel

Really, it's not that hard, though I guess having long hair helps.

You can't know anything that is unknown to mankind? Because then I would just get the answer to some really important ecological question (how to stop global warming, maybe. It's not what I'm studying right now, but it would get me a nobel price and possibly save the earth, so...) and not have to worry about getting a good job! Or I could try to find the cure for a disease, or a definite answer as to if there's a god or gods of some kind, what has changed to a person when they die but their body would still function properly (like with a hear attack), how did the universe come to be, is there life on other planets out there and where is it... so many oppurtunities.

As long as it can only be stuff that someone, somewhere, knows... um, I don't know, really.

 

[UniversalRonin]

Teach me to be a true 'Jack of all trades.' One Question, being taught one thing, with lots of elements. Boom. (That's right. I said Boom.)

Capcha: Live with purpose
Hell Yeah.

 

[Bestival]

I'd want the answer to life's greatest mystery: Why Do Kids Love the Taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

 

[StormShaun]

Maths, because it seems that my brain rejects anything related to the damn subject that isn't the basic stuff.
So if I knew maths that would be great!

Other then that, it would be nice to find out ideas that stories/books/manga/anime/etc have not done.
Then I shall make a franchise and make BILLIONS!
MWahhahahaha~

 

[hermes]

Languages. All of them.

I would also like to learn to play some instruments, but that requires some motor skills as well as mental skills, so I guess that is out of the question.

 

[Tanakh]

Math and science. Let me know more math. I may be studying it, and with any luck will continue doing it for the rest of my life. I want to understand better the Riemman zetta function and it's properties and consequences. I want to understand better the Hyquist-Shannon theorem of infortmation. I want to understand Perelman's proof of the Poincarr'e thorem. Let me know more. Let me understand better the Standard Model, Neural Networks. I wanto to keep understanding the world.

So you would have him deliver some books and papers from your university's library? Quite the curious use of a blanch card, bear in mind the OP specified it only delivers past events info within "human reach", and it doesn't make you proficient in them, just delivers the info.

Assuming he can't give me all the physical details of the creation of the universe, I would go with crystal clear yet readable biographies of selected people. Probably would pick Jesus, Buddha, JFK, a handful of dead treasure hunters/rich people who are rumored to have buried riches lying around and, that's about it.

 

[kurokotetsu]

Math and science. Let me know more math. I may be studying it, and with any luck will continue doing it for the rest of my life. I want to understand better the Riemman zetta function and it's properties and consequences. I want to understand better the Hyquist-Shannon theorem of infortmation. I want to understand Perelman's proof of the Poincarr'e thorem. Let me know more. Let me understand better the Standard Model, Neural Networks. I wanto to keep understanding the world.

So you would have him deliver some books and papers from your university's library? Quite the curious use of a blanch card.

Not some, all. And have him teach the fineer points that aren't evident by reading. In other words, having a private tutor that knows everything written about science and math ans help me understand. And cinsidering there is more knowledge being generated each second, he will be teaching me forever. Yeah, I like that idea.

 

[Arnoxthe1]

I would ask him for a way for myself to be absolutely free. (And no, death is not freedom)

Wait, what kind of freedom? Freedom from stress? Poverty? Annoying governments? Bad cheezburgers?

 

[Korolev]

The History of the World - all of it. Since it's one planet, it counts as one thing, right? History is so vital to understanding why the world is the way it is. Also, there's a lot we don't know and can only speculate on - for example, during the Second Punic War, when the Roman armies were largely decimated, Hannibal had a clear shot at attacking Rome itself, but for reasons he never made clear, he did not. Historians are divided as to why he did not - some felt that he did not attack Rome because he felt it was a trap. Others felt that he was unsure as to whether or not he had the troops necessary to overcome the city walls. Some other historians speculate that he had no real desire to "destroy" Rome entirely, and that he didn't attack because it wasn't in line with his overall goals (which was to confine Rome). Some say he made the right decision, others say that he made the wrong decision - no one really knows. There are hundreds of thousands of such historical mysteries out there - if I knew the true history of the entire world, it would be very interesting and it would confirm or deny the various conspiracy theories that are out there.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

I would ask him to come in and teach me the most important points in mastering cooking.

I can tell you the most important things I've ever learned about cooking.

1) Invest in high quality knives - at the very least a good chef's knife. They are expensive, yes, but cheaper knives constantly need to be sharpened. There is nothing more dangerous in my kitchen than a dull knife; every time I've cut myself cooking, it was because the knife was dull.

2) When you first start out, follow recipes exactly. As you cook (and if it's safe to do so) taste what you're making. It helps give you an idea what a particular component of a meal is actually adding.

3) Err on the side of caution. Too many flavors, no matter how delicious, and a dish can be ruined. Plus, you can always add more later.

4) Experiment! Cooking has the most efficient feedback loop you'll ever find. For example, I once (in the middle of the night) suddenly wondered if French Onion Dip was basically french onion soup and sour cream. So I made a tiny batch of french onion soup and dumped in some cream cheese. (For the record, it totally is).

5) Whenever possible, buy fresh. Dried herbs work if that's all you have but fresh are better. Fresh Tomatoes (if in season) have far more flavor than anything you'll get from a can.

Cooking is remarkably easy once you start. I went from hating the very idea of cooking to having the process of making and eating my dinner on Saturday one of my favorite things in an average week. Plus, as you gain skill, you'll find that you can eat exceptionally well on a budget.

 

[Tanakh]

In other words, having a private tutor that knows everything written about science and math ans help me understand. And cinsidering there is more knowledge being generated each second, he will be teaching me forever. Yeah, I like that idea.

Really? I liked books and working alone more. Professors are great for questions, but going boldly into the unexplored (for yourself) and discovering shit, that's what i remember as the happiest moments of my work as a math.

 

[kurokotetsu]

In other words, having a private tutor that knows everything written about science and math ans help me understand. And cinsidering there is more knowledge being generated each second, he will be teaching me forever. Yeah, I like that idea.

Really? I liked books and working alone more. Professors are great for questions, but going boldly into the unexplored (for yourself) and discovering shit, that's what i remember as the happiest moments of my work as a math.

I like that too. But I see that the books don't cover the nuances good enough. Most don't ask the most interesting questions. When doing Physics the Resnick had some interesting things, but the questions posed by our Mechanics teacher where fascinating, outside the box things that I've never found. Analysis and Mathematical War Models were also made so much better because of great teachers.

Also while reading a book or article or elarning, well, sometimes I want someone to bounce things off. What I get from reading and what other people are different. My interpretation of a text isn't exactly the same nor the best, so a good teacher can make you see other interesting angles.

I work alone most of the time, and indeed working alone can yield great and satisfying results. But I like having a goode professor too. And one that knew everything would be a great opportunity to learn more.

 

[Tanakh]

-snip-

Working in a group is great, and actually needed in the current environment. But professors... i dunno, personally remember a LOT more what i discovered myself, even if it's smaller in scope, that the huge theorems.

What I love is to work with equals/partners, but that would defeat the propose of the OP question.

Also, applied math FTW! Theoretic is soo beautiful, but hard to navigate through.

 

[captainballsack]

I'd want to know how I could trust him to tell the truth.

But assuming I did, I'd want to know all the answers to cosmology and the universe: where the universe came from, was there a creator(s), what fundamentally is reality made out of? Also, is there a one true perfect moral code and if so, what is it? I would be greatly pleased to find out the answers to these questions.

Ooooo, I think you would break him.

Because where did the thing that the universe came from, come from itself? Who created the creator? Where does whatever "reality" is made out of come from? What defined the one true perfect moral code, what was the moral code of the thing that established moral code?

Ad infinitum. If there is purpose, what is the purpose of that purpose? What is the purpose of that purpose of that purpose? If there is meaning, it needs to be determined. Meaning cannot exist without origin, because even if it could, why would it be so?

Point is, the answers to those questions very likely don't exist truly, if by "universe" you mean "everything." Reality, existence, or "everything" is absurd. It exists when nothing really should. So maybe he might just throw some Camus at you in response.

 

[kurokotetsu]

-snip-

Working in a group is great, and actually needed in the current environment. But professors... i dunno, personally remember a LOT more what i discovered myself, even if it's smaller in scope, that the huge theorems.

What I love is to work with equals/partners, but that would defeat the propose of the OP question.

Also, applied math FTW! Theoretic is soo beautiful, but hard to navigate through.

I'm fully aware that is needed. Essential even. I'm not very good at it though. I like to figure things on my own. And most of the people I worked with, well, it wasn't that interesting or good. Not a goood exchange. But professors have helped me see new things. Small and big. They showed me how to work. Yes, it is more interesting to get the results your won, but when in a problem I prefer someone that can shine a different light, and peers (at a not research level) are not always good at that, because they are figuring things out themeselves. I still remember the Cauchy theormes of Complex Analysis and big theorems about Algebra, more than my homework problems.

For me math is a game, an exploration. And yes, I prefer to get lost and wander, get new palces on my own. But in a landscape so big, so rich as Math, well, a good guide can be really good friend. To show you how to find your bearings, to show you landmarks and to give you slight nudges in the right direction form now and then. Maps are great, but when you can't afford to be lost for hours, or even to be able to read the map, you need someone more experienced. That is a good teacher. Reading a bit about the Riemann Zeta Function is not as good as having a guy that studies it explain it to you.

Maybe it is because here classes are different from where you live. Here it is more personal than the huge lecture halls I've seen in other places. ALmsot all are relatively small and interaction with the professor and elcturer is encouraged. greatly.

Also I love both Applied and Theoretic equally I think, but I'm really interested in Biomath now so I'm also in the FTW for Applied camp.

 

[Barbas]

I would like to know the secrets of how to manipulate people's emotions. Once I became trusted, I could do go anywhere and do anything, sway generals and politicians to end wars or erase continents for my amusement. I could take over the entire world and make NASA write 'EARTH IS GAY' on the moon if I wanted to. All technological secrets would be mine. I could conquer the entire planet indirectly and invisibly, tailoring it to my own tastes and making my own laws and morals the only ones that mattered. I could make Earth's entire population live under my rule and execute my will without them ever knowing it.