JSBursch: Interests

The scope of my interests may seem unbelievably eclectic to the casual inquirer, but for me, there is a clear central theme. All of the areas of human endeavor are simply branches stemming from the same tree trunk or root object. The core or wood (using the tree analogy) of the root object and all of its branches comprise three concepts:

Information
Communication
Balance

Everything in the universe can be explained within this framework. Human activity falls within this larger scheme and, thus, can be explained using these same constructs. Trying to understand and appreciate how the many, seemingly incongruous elements of life interact to form the spectrum or canopy (if we continue with the tree analogy) that we know as our physical reality is, I believe, one of the grandest pursuits in life.

To improve readability, I have grouped my interests by conventional classifications.

Natural and Formal Sciences

Mathematics

Mathematics gives humans a very powerful, general language for describing an enormous number of phenomena. I had a firm grasp of most elementary mathematical concepts by the time I was eighteen, but at that point, and for several years after, I perceived higher mathematics as complicated, mysterious, and unfathomable. As I began to explore math outside of an academic setting, I quickly realized that mathematics was, in actuality, very simple and logical. I believe that the power of advanced mathematics gives many people the impression that it must also be incredibly complex and, therefore, incomprehensible to all but the most intelligent beings in the universe. I also believe that there are some academians who want to perpetuate the myth that higher mathematics is inaccessible to most people so as to preserve their status as intellectual elites. I think many people who have some degree of math anxiety—myself included—don't like math because it usually forces us to view problems in a very precise way, without any fuzzy edges. My fascination with and appreciation of mathematics has continued to grow since I began exploring the field on my own terms. The following topics are of particular interest to me:

Fractal geometry: Fractal objects, when graphed using certain techniques, can produce beautiful images. Fractal shapes occur widely in nature, probably because they are very efficient—relatively little information is needed to generate numerous different fractal shapes. Fractals also demonstrate a property known as self-similarity, a recurring theme in many of my ideas.

Computer and Information Sciences

When I discovered the personal computer in second grade, I fell instantly in love with it. I was thrilled! Here was a machine that allowed one to word process, play games, and store information. I begged my parents to get a computer, but it was useless. I had to settle for a few hours a week on my best friend's new IBM—some people were fortunate enough to have moms working for Intel! I was almost a senior in high school when my father finally decided to purchase a computer. By this time I was so busy with school and work that I had very little time to spend familiarizing myself with the operation of this new machine. What had happened? Ten years of advancements in computer technology seemed to have slipped right by me. As if that weren't enough, the first two years of college left me feeling even more like a techno-ignoramus. Of course I could use most of the basic features of Microsoft's office software, but so could any new user. I began to feel like my generation was zooming ahead without me. For practical and intellectual reasons, I decided that it was crucial for me to rekindle my interest in computer technology during my junior year in college. In fact, it was my renewed interest in computers that prompted me to independently continue my studies in mathematics, as well as piqued my interest in information science. The relationships between math and computers were too obvious to ignore, and most concepts in computer science have purely mathematical foundations. My first computer programming experience was with the C programming language. I quickly moved on to Visual Basic Script as I began to experiment with dynamic web page creation using Active Server Pages. I am continually expanding my knowledge of various areas in computer and information sciences and am especially interested in the following topics:

Web programming and design: When I started investigating computer technology in college, I immediately gravitated towards web development. I think this was probably because I'm a staunch believer in freedom of speech and expression, and the Web is the most open public communication system I've ever known.
Database design: Being an information freak, I know that information is only useful if it can be easily accessed when it is needed. This is why intelligent database design is so important and why I consider databases and database management systems to be indispensable tools.
Cellular automata: Cellular automata are discrete dynamical systems that can be used to model real systems found in nature. They can take a very uncomplicated set of starting values and generate incredibly complex patterns based on very simple rules.

Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology

My fascination with stars and space goes back as far as I can remember. Like many children, I was entranced by starlight and could stare up into the heavens for countless hours. I am still awestruck when I tilt my head back and gaze into the night sky. I've never had a telescope, but images from modern telescopes have further fueled my desire to learn more about the following topics:

Star formation and evolution: Stars are absolutely amazing objects. They are, essentially, the cosmic factories responsible for producing all of the heavier elements in our universe. Without the fusion process that occurs within the core of stars, life as we know it could not have evolved.
Black holes: These massive objects are just as important as stars in our universe. These insatiable monsters are the great material consumers of the cosmos and understanding the physical principles that govern them will help us to understand a great deal more about our universe.

Chemistry

Chemicals are the media for storage and exchange of the information that creates us and governs our lives, so I'm not surprised that I became more interested in chemistry while taking my first college-level biology course. Through our understanding of the mechanisms of chemical reactions, we can manipulate them to our advantage. This ability to direct chemical changes is especially useful for creating and improving resources essential to human survival. There are many topics in chemistry which I find fascinating, but my concerns for the health of the environment and of future generations have focused my attention on the following areas of this science:

Development of renewable, clean fuels: We know the Earth's fossil fuel supply will not last indefinitely, and yet we have only recently started to seriously investigate alternatives. The sooner we can transition to cleaner, renewable sources of energy, the better.

Biology

The fundamental concepts that underlie all biological systems extend from the basic principles of physics and chemistry. Biology is special to me because it was the platform from which my first serious scientific studies were launched. Before I began to learn about the many marvelous creatures with whom we live on this planet, I had very limited interests in the natural sciences. I'm sure that part of the problem was that my introduction to formal science came from dull, dry texts and did not include much hands-on laboratory experience. After meeting an eccentric biology teacher at the end of my freshman year in high school, however, my feelings towards science quickly changed. This unconventional teacher's intense energy and wacky sense of humor made every day in class a memorable one, and his passion for exploring the stunning array of Earth's creatures was highly contagious. The diversity and complexity of life is sometimes overwhelming as we attempt to study organisms to understand their inner workings, but logic always prevails as research demonstrates again and again that all living things follow the same elementary laws of nature. Biology encompasses a large number of specialized sciences that focus on living systems and their parts, but the following areas are of greatest interest to me:

Biochemistry: There are thousands of different biochemical reactions, but almost all of them hinge on the action of enzymes. Enzymes are powerful biological catalysts and understanding the mechanisms of enzyme catalysis will unlock many doors for a host of sciences.
Molecular biology: The most sophisticated machines known to humankind are living organisms, with biomolecules serving as their building blocks. Only when we know the properties and functions of these microscopic parts can we truly begin to understand how biological entities do what they do. I am most curious about intercellular communication and transport systems.
Neuroscience: The human brain is one of the more spectacular achievements of mother nature. Since we are studying this organ with the organ itself, we may not be able to fully comprehend its operation until we further evolve as a species and then attempt to study the preserved brains of our ancestors. Regardless, we still stand to gain a great deal from studying the human brain in the present.

Environmental Science

Ensuring that future generations of all species have a healthy environment in which to live is a top priority for me. Humanity's impact on the natural environment must be minimized, which requires us to first try to understand how the vast, complex ecosystems of our planet operate. I am horrified by the current lack of concern demonstrated by the majority of my fellow humans over the declining condition of our planet. I know that there are others who share my sentiment, but it will take the concerted efforts of all humans to create sustainable human communities. The following topics in environmental science are very important to me:

Agro-environmental studies: The production of high quality foods without substantial damage to the natural environment is an important consideration in developing sustainable communities. Agro-environmental studies allow us to gauge the impact that different farming practices have on the natural environment and will help us develop viable alternatives to methods that are too damaging to the ecosystems in which agricultural land is situated.
Ecology of tropical and temperate rainforests: The highest level of species diversity exists in rainforests. Tragically, acres of this precious resource are being mowed down each day. Not only do these environments posses great beauty, the organisms in these forests may contain biomolecules of incredible scientific value.

Engineering and Technology

By my definition, engineering is the use of scientific concepts and principles—usually discovered in academia—to design, build, and use tools, including systems (physical and abstract), structures, appliances, and vehicles. By this definition, I consider myself to be an engineer, despite not holding any official certification affirming this title. I am a very logical person and am constantly looking for ways to improve things. Considering that I revel in constructing solutions for arduous problems and that I am dedicated to protecting the natural environment from human abuse, it makes sense that I am very interested in the following topics:

Wilderness protection: The need for preservation of large areas of undeveloped open space seems so obvious to me, but most people just don't seem to get it. With each natural environment we pave over, we come that much closer to pulling the plug of the life support system on this planet. We can't let that happen. We must create and successfully implement management systems to protect the Earth from human stupidity.
Urban planning and development: The only way to ensure sensible growth of settled areas is to devise a thoughtful plan and stick to it. One of the first steps that can be taken to prevent the need to tear up virgin land is to utilize previously developed land more efficiently. Another step we can take to ease the pressure we are putting on the natural environment is to decrease our numbers by having fewer and fewer offspring over the next fifty years. The latter recommendation is probably objectionable to more people, but the issue of overpopulation is a reality that we are going to have to face in the twenty-first century.
Resource management with an emphasis on recycling: Many human populations around the world are guilty of inefficient resource use, but when it comes to hyperconsumption, Americans are the undisputed champions. It's true that Earth will eventually perish, with or without us, but that doesn't mean we should go nuts now. There are likely still many human generations to come that will require the same materials we today waste so carelessly. Good resource management is not difficult, but, like healthy urban development, it takes planning and commitment. Reduce, reuse, recycle! What more can I say?

Social Sciences

Education

Education consists of both a formal system by which we pass on accumulated knowledge to each other and our progeny and a set of ideals on which this system is based. Our evolutionary advantage over other species is our relatively large brain—and a powerful organ it is! It is the key to our survival and requires enormous amounts of structured input to function optimally. Without effective educational systems, the potential of the human brain is squandered and the advancement of our civilization stalls. California schools were, at one time, among the best in North America. Over the last five decades they have slipped down to the lowest ranks and are no longer models for the rest of the world. I was a student in California public schools for nearly 18 years and witnessed firsthand the effects of a decaying educational system. That alone would have been enough to motivate me to get involved in education, but I also enjoy sharing with others the knowledge and wisdom that I have gained through my own life experiences. I am particularly interested in the following topics:

Integration of community activities into regular curricula: Lessons at school should, whenever possible, make connections to real issues that affect the surrounding community. Moreover, students should have opportunities and be encouraged to actively participate in neighborhood development. One strategy for increasing student involvement in the community is called service learning. Service learning can be considered as both a philosophy of education and a curriculum-relevant instructional method.
Integration of technology into existing curricula: Computers and other multimedia devices can enhance almost every aspect of learning, which makes technology in the classroom a must. The only way students can be prepared for a world ruled by technology is to receive continuous exposure to it from a very young age.

Sociology

I have always been fascinated by human social behavior. I realized long ago that a better understanding of how humans interact with one another under various circumstances would allow me to foster stronger, more meaningful relationships with others. Now that I am a father, I am especially intrigued by parent-child relationships. I spend a great deal of time pondering the following topics:

Social stratification: Overcoming social inequality requires that we first understand how social stratification occurs and what its most significant effects are.
Biological vs. surrogate parenting on socioemotional development of children: In a country where more and more children are being raised by people other than their biological parents, I feel that this is an issue that deserves some serious attention.
Abnormal socioemotional development leading to antisocial behavior: As a teacher who has worked with several socially maladjusted children, this is a topic that often enters my mind.

Humanities

Art

My artistic endeavors are very important to me because they provide a creative outlet that I feel is necessary for maintaining my emotional health. Most of the artwork I create and/or enjoy falls into one of the following categories:

Music: I love music and I can't remember a time when it was not part of my life. If I'm not listening to a recording or playing an instrument, then I'm repeating a favorite tune in my mind or composing my own music. In my spare time, I enjoy playing piano, acoustic bass (when I have the opportunity), and guitar. Actually, I have not played a guitar since I donated mine a few years ago to Guitars not Guns, a very worthy charitable organization. I have an extensive collection of jazz recordings and a handful of classic rock albums. Some of my favorite musical artists are Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Reed, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis.
Photography: My wife and I received a 3.3 megapixel digital camera for Christmas in 2002 and, since then, I've taken over 1000 pictures. Almost every day I see something that I want to capture with our camera. I often take pictures of things most people probably don't notice. I don't think any of my images will ever have much monetary value, but several of them are priceless to me.
Cinema: I can't stand most Hollywood blockbusters, but I can appreciate a well-made film. Independent films usually demonstrate the best of what this medium has to offer. I try to catch at least one good film per month.
Literature: Reading and writing are my second greatest loves, after music, of course. If I had no other obligations, I could probably listen to music, read, and write all day long.
Culinary arts: I'm not exactly a gourmet chef, but I like to cook, almost as much as I like to eat. Spicy dishes with a southwestern flare are my specialty.

Athletics

Athletic activities play a lesser role in my daily life, but I do enjoy a good physical challenge every once in a while. For pleasure, exercise, or both, I enjoy the following activities:

Biking: When I was a teenager and actually owned a bike, I went mountain biking several times a month. When I'm in good physical condition you can give me a steep, rocky hillside trail and I'll tear it up. I like downhill riding, but climbing is really my thing.
Hiking: I regularly go for walks on the streets near my home, but, sadly, I only go hiking in the wilderness a few times a year. When I do hike, I relish every second on the trail.