Final Essay

Biology: the study of living beings, organisms. Things that only live because of respiration and osmosis, chemistry concepts. Which, in turn, are governed by the laws of mathematics. Which are grounded in axioms, truths determined by philosophy. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to realize that all fields are linked to one another in one form or another. That fields of interest lose some meaning if completely segregated from the others. History is difficult without ecology, finance utterly impossible without law. And Ive known this for a very, very long time. I wish to go into research in one of the harder sciences. Im also fully aware that research is, in of itself, dangerous without any knowledge of ethics or history. In order to correct this deficiency, Ive been studying history as a hobby for over eight years. Similarly, Ive been taking Economics in order to ensure that I can make informed decisions about the future of this nation (good grief, that sounds like a talking point), as an educated citizen. Without any means to figure out policy, Id be no better off than my ten-year-old self, who supported candidates because they sounded nice. Research requires knowledge of modern publications, and not all publications are written in English; some foreign languages will be required. And no matter which hard science I choose to enter, every other hard science will be required for sound ideas and practice. Plus Ill need grants. Ill have to work on Literary writing and analysis in Spring. Everything Ive said about research can be applied to any other field, or even any other event. The Gulf Oil Spill happened because of utterly inane laws and regulations and policy. Were fighting its effects through chemical compounds, and researching the aftermath with biology, statistics, and political science. The event will have ripples in the community at large, a job for the historian and artist and writer. And so forth. Interdisciplinary study is important, not only for my (hopefully) future job, but for my understanding of events around me, of the world at large. Of course, Im not omniscient. Being bounded by economic necessity and an inflexible college format, Ill have to pay attention to some things much more so than others. Ill probably have to drop some things altogether. For instance, Ive never been very interested in art, but Ive completely stopped looking for paintings and other creations of wondrous talent because, quite honestly, I dont have the time. Sheer schedule problems made history classes completely untenable for the past two quarters, and I dont have much hope for the third. And Ill probably have to drop economics in exchange for Biology in third quarter. Plus the necessity of practical lab experience will, well, necessitate me to join a lab. Which will absolutely flatten the rest of my extracurriculars. Ah, reality. At least it might look fancy for graduate school. Interdisciplinary knowledge is absolutely vital for focused study and worldliness, as demonstrated by the Gulf Oil Spill. Unfortunately, such interdisciplinary knowledge is bounded by real, immutable constraints. But, as with all things, there is little to do but try.