Generally, researchers read so many books and papers everyday. At least in my research area, vast amounts of books and papers that we have to look over, are being published all the time. We should keep up with most of them in order to create new research.
But, time is limited. Recently, I have reached middle age and I don’t have enough time to study hard because of increasing administration time. However, I want to stay on the frontline. so I’ll make an effort to continue.
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By the way, when it comes to thinking of books and papers, that reminds me of two events that I experienced when I was in my twenties and I just got a research position.
Speaking of the first event, a distinguished scholar who had read a great volume of research material said to me :
“Nakahara-kun, you just got to be a research assistant and you are still young. The young researchers like you have to catch up on the previous researcher’s work. So that means you must work harder and read more than I’ve done. Have you read enough books for that?”
Ooops!
A distinguished scholar who was like a “walking encyclopedia” said that. so I could not say anymore.
As for the second event, I remember what a more experienced researcher said to me.
Reading books is like expanding your map. Some researchers venture out on their research area with a world map, others take a walk around the neighborhood with a town map. What kind of map do you have, Nakahara-kun? What kind of adventure do you want to have?」
Ooops, again!
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Today I’ve written the essay related to reading. There are famous quotes such as “If we look over their bookshelf, we can grasp how intellectual people are.”
What kind of map do you have?
Life goes on…