Stochastic thoughts about Physics and Nature.. Some time ago, someone asked me whether Physics can be regarded as an "Art". I found it a really good question because its answer clearly seems to be "Yes!", and indeed it is, but a clear explanation of why (or how) someone can consider Physics a sort of art (and in this case, of what kind?) is a not so trivial task! Actually the word "physics" comes from the ancient Greek "physis", which means Nature. Hence, as for Arts whose subject is the Nature and have the aim of represent it in a certain language and according to some peculiar criterions (dictated by their movement of appartenence, eg. realism, impressionism, abstractism and so on..), Physics studies the Nature in its various forms and manifestation, and tries to describe them in a universal and as clear as possible manner by means of a sort of symbolism called mathematical formulae. Many forms of arts, expecially those before the 19th century, try to represent faithfully the reality by means of precise and suitable signs. Some of the most beautifull results of such task are the paintings by Caravaggio and the statues by Canova. Other forms of arts, among which I can include Physics, don't look at a precise representation of Nature but they focus instead on the analysis of phenomenons and a description of how they manifest. For example, Goncharova's Cyclist does not represent strictly speaking a guy riding his bycicle but the dynamics of a movement. The Picasso's demoiselles are not depicted from their fronts, nor from their sides, but both this points of view are represented! Their forms are developed and analyzed on the bidimensional canvas in a way that everyone who looks at this painting can figure out the tridimensionality of its subject. Physics does the same thing of what modern art does. Its aim is to write down what Nature seems to be but not in a easy (ie. clear) and realistic manner, as Canova and Caravaggio did, but in something that looks more complicated and really difficult to grasp. Its few signs describe movements and solid forms on simple sheets of paper. When you read a book on Physics you can understand the essence of the movement as while you're watching a futuristic painting. When you study the geometry of the space-time you can imagine a curved world out of a plain sheet of paper. Nevertheless, physicists are not so funny and freaky as artists are! At least the most!

First notebook entry: Introducing myself Hi there! I am a graduate student in physics from Italy. I speak English at an intermediate (B1) level. I can read english (I'm used to reading scientific books and papers) but I can't write and speack fluently. I'm looking for someone to talk with to improve my English. I'd love to make new friends and meet someone who wish to learn Italian (or Physics, perhaps!). I really enjoy travelling and meeting new people, walking in the nature and listening some music. Cheers!