I posted above before I'd read this -- I'd really stress again that, at least in the humanities, writing is the difference between mere 'accumulation of knowledge', which we all know will eventually be forgotten, and understanding. I would actually recommend Umberto Eco's book How to Write a Thesis as a great foundation for how to structure your cross-disciplinary studies and synthesize, again even if just for yourself. If you do start a blog, however 'cliched', you can also start to seek validation (or, even better, critical commentary!) from individuals in your fields of interest.
It feels very 'old internet' and his particular objects of study may not be of interest to you, but http://www.autodidactproject.org/ is the very interesting record of one man's lifelong studies outside the academy, as well as reflection on that process.
Best of luck! Certainly ignore those who say this is no different than watching TV if you feel a genuine 'conatus', i.e. striving and desire, for these pursuits.
One question: what sort of things do you think I could write as a novice in these fields?? I don't think I'm interested in writing study notes or summaries etc. I think I'm more inquiry-inclined, something more critical, more engaged.
Apologies, missed this response. Do you have an email address I can reach you at? It depends somewhat if you’re really interested in the “human” or “social” sciences, but I really do recommend that Eco How to Write a Thesis book regardless. It conveys the old secrets of how to enter humanistic scholarship — and was originally written to allow even working class Italians who might only have access to a library for an hour a week to do so.
Hello! Not sure if you were going to send me an email or not. I did have a question: How do you discern the human and social sciences? To be honest I'll probably love dabbling in both :)
> originally written to allow even working class Italians who might only have access to a library for an hour a week to do so
Btw this was very encouraging for me to read! As I'm definitely struggling to find enough time/attention in a day to do intellectual stuff.
Yeah I'm realizing that HN doesn't have a good way to check for replies. Makes it hard to have any discussion lasting more than a few days... I would really love to follow up on all the comments I'm getting and thank everyone etc. So much missed opportunity :(
My email is my username, but replace h with huang, at gmail.com :)
Yes I've been looking at Eco's Thesis book, looks very relevant!
It feels very 'old internet' and his particular objects of study may not be of interest to you, but http://www.autodidactproject.org/ is the very interesting record of one man's lifelong studies outside the academy, as well as reflection on that process.
Best of luck! Certainly ignore those who say this is no different than watching TV if you feel a genuine 'conatus', i.e. striving and desire, for these pursuits.