Auditing
natural science courses is absolutely wonderful. Today in “Climate Change:
Physical Science Basis,” we heard about how dendroclimatic reconstruction
works. Dendroclimatic reconstruction involves using trees as a proxy for direct
temperature measurements, exploring tree growth (measured by ring width and
densities) in trees whose growth is dominated by temperature fluctuations.
I have
missed my natural science courses for several years at Michigan State
University when I shifted into all social science classes. (Social science classes are absolutely
fabulous. This post should in no way be taken as a dismissal of the value and utility
of the social sciences.) It is nice to
be back in these kinds of lectures. Even nicer? I’m allowed, via auditing, to
simply absorb knowledge and enjoy indulging my curiosity rather than fighting
to ensure I memorize the “appropriate” facts necessary for the exam.
Life is
good.
This post makes me happy :) Yay for indulging curiosity (and for tree rings)!
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