Re: nature -> "human brain" -> "language terms" ==>> knowledge ?
Dear John,
>2. The compartmentalization of all academic departments
> causes interdisciplinary projects to fall between the
> cracks because each department focuses on what it calls
> the "mainstream", which it jealously guards from its
> neighbors. I have known a number of very good assistant
> professors and even full professors who have not been
> promoted or lost their jobs because they tended to make
> waves that splashed across academic boundaries. For
> that reason, they were considered "unfocused", "not fully
> committed to their work", or "going off on a tangent".
The above observation of Yours is so true (unfortunately) !
I wrote exactly the same conclusion (same words !) in my "secret" (not any more ;-) ) diary notebook about 2 years ago (having "more" time while being "between jobs" ;-) ).
"Speaking of "interdisciplinary" approach - it appears to me that this approach is "falling through the cracks" between the border lines (in my view being somewhat artificially drawn) of "formal" disciplines.
This, in general, relates to the paradigm of the relationship between the analysis and synthesis. While in the "earlier" stages (of the human "knowledge mining" activities) dividing the science into the strictly outlined domains of studies (analysis) was greatly beneficial and produced effective results - this same approach currently hinders on ability to look at some phenomena (which does not formally "fit" the "Procrustean bed" of the particular domain) at large (so the synthesis is lacking). I believe that nowadays lack of broad "interdisciplinary" approach is somewhat "responsible" for slow-down of the rate in fundamental scientific discoveries during last 50 years. Also this approach negatively impacts creation of new scientific domains. For example, my thinking (false or true) relates to the "Theory of knowledge" but commonly people refer me to already existing "Theory of information". Those two domains, in my view, are related but not the same."
Dear John - it is so "reassuring" to find that Your views (being a recognized scientist) are confirming my frustration with modern science
(and that it is not simply "sour grapes" reaction on my "amateur" behalf for being completely ignored when trying to engage in discussion with the people from Academia).
Best Regards,
Thank you,
Alex