At the age of 48 I was diagnosed with adhd. Medication was added, and wow, what a difference! I guess that because I kept my hands moving during lectures at school, that is why I did so well at school; I always took lots of notes, twice as much as others. Kathy's hands moving is a HUGE distraction for me. The motion is distracting me from watching her lips move. The lips movement is a way that amplifies the volume. I have enough hearing loss in one ear that I lose words when I do not watch the lips move.
@@lourias interesting, I am hard of hearing too with lipreading and I don't mind the hands at all. As long as they aren't covering the mouth of course. Maybe it's related to fact I'm not ADHD but HSP (highly sensitive person) and I like the emotional ambiance Kathy's hands create. (Roughly speaking HSP is different from ADHD that HSP don't have trouble with rigidly structured tasks but still have problems with focus for different reason: they are prone to get overwhelmed with stimuli, both internal and external. It's not an official diagnosis yet, though.)
I just never really noticed your hands. It doesn't bother me at all. I'm so involved in the fascinating physics you're explaining. Stay the way you are Kathy. :)
I, too, was surprised I had ADHD. I think it's an important asset for a teacher. There were days I wouldn't take my meds because I knew I wasn't going to have the luxury of focusing one one thing at a time. We all learned to cope.
SPEECH TO TEXT ERROR - SPEECH TO TEXT ERROR "Insured me taking attendance a challenge." ---- translates to: ----> "IT SURE MADE TAKING ATTENDANCE (a challenge). [you're welcome] @@Kathy_Loves_Physics
I was diagnosed with ADHD (hyperactive) in my 50s. Like all adult diagnoses, suddenly things make sense. I was searching YT for clips of Adventures with Bill from the Red Green Show, and found a video made by one of the actors, "The Unofficial ADD Test". It's presented in a comedic style but was very accurate, eg give yourself a point for every book you've bought but never read. I was laughing at first and in tears by the end, "what?, that ISN"T normal?" I was referred to specialist and told I was an extreme case. Why hadn't anyone told me before? How could I have known? I lamented my failures and missed opportunities, but accepted that now. I'm still learning how I'm different. People will often say it's just an excuse for moral failures, laziness, lack of conviction etc, Kathy mentioned how triggered she was at being called lazy. But knowing ADHD is a way for us to deal with our differences. It took me about 30 minutes to write this comment as I went looking for that video and it has been removed, and got distracted by other things.
Kathy, I love your videos! They are wonderful, dramatic story telling. As someone who has studied physics, chemistry and electronics all my life I really appreciate their technical accuracy. Few historians get the science right. I know they must take a lot of work, and I am truly thankful to you for all you put into them. I like you as you are, and please keep up the hand flapping.
It was quite surreal seeing the title of your video since I've been a subscriber for quite a while, and am also a 40+ physicist who was diagnosed with ADHD two weeks ago. Thank you so much for sharing your story; I've been in a big adjustment phase after the diagnostic session, and it reinforced to me that I'm not the only one in this boat!
Oh no, you’re not alone! You’ll have a lot to discover the coming time and most things (if not all) will be fantastic. Welcome to the club! (of out of the box thinking, creative, fun and interesting people).
That is so funny! I was just diagnosed two months ago, so we’re basically in the same boat. But I think there’s a lot of people in the boat with us and that is a great comfort.
I’m excited for you. On the other hand, the quality of your scholarship and videos was first rate. Plus, anybody who throws Calvinball into a conversation is clearly a superior human being.
0:06 _“And it turns out I have ADHD. So I'm guessing a bunch of you are saying some version of Duh!”_ Thanks for sharing this incredibly important example of how folks need to listen carefully to others who communicate differently, instead of assuming the worst - and for telling your story with such cheerful humor! You are a great science communicator, and I love how you dive into the nitty-gritty details of the histories and the personalities involved in otherwise dry-looking equations.
you're a great and interesting person, Kathy. Go on like you are used to, no metter where your hands are. We don't care about hands, we care about contents. And this is why we follow you. Love from Italy.
Thank you so much Marco, I figured an Italian would never be offended by me using my hands when I talk. It’s practically part of the national identity. In fact, when people complain about me using my hands, I said I have to because my husband is Italian 🤣 ❤️ Kathy
This just reminded me of an old corny joke I heard way back.. oh, probably @ 1985-ish; “What’s the easiest way to get an Italian to stop talking? Handcuff them!” 🤪😂 please no one take offense to this joke. It is JUST A JOKE! I didn’t create it; just heard it decades ago
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics esatto. Nessuno di noi si offende per queste cose. A noi piace ridere, e prenderci in giro a vicenda. Vai, Kathy, continua a incantarci con le tue bellissime storie di scienza.
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics Lol… that “disclaimer” was more intended for, or, directed towards, that sadly growing camp of SUUUUuuuper Hypersensitive, ‘trigger-happy’, energy-vampire peeps, whom ‘react’ to otherwise extremely benign commentary, jokes, messages, sentences or, questions, with/of whatever EXCEPTIONALLY RUDE, off-color, retort “opinions” or general slander; as if the rest of the worlds’ populous MUST validate ‘their’ cries for attention, regardless of how they’re seeking it. Definitely wasn’t directed to you personally or likewise, undoubtedly, most sub’ers of your YT chan, for the love &/or interest of its content 👍🏼👍🏼 Learning inspires researching which builds knowledge, that grows intelligence, that forms understandings, manifesting positive tolerance & compassion of many diverse topics, fields &, subject matter, across all walks of life. As you apply included the mention of, within your A.D.H.D. ‘rant’ (lol; as you can clearly tell, I as well have it… very much so), that most folks ARE intelligent in their own specific way(s) &, really up to each one of us, to figure out how we each can contribute positively to any conversation or, group-action. I’ve MANY times over the decades, done that similar thing of spitballing my brainstorm idea(s) out to others, with intention of stating it as such (i definitely don’t always remember to do this), for the person or group, to think about or consider as an option for solution solving a problem presented.. JUST THE WAY I THINK! Can’t turn off this inner-engineer in my minds-eye, lol
A few months ago I chatted with a young lady at a charity collection stall outside a supermarket. In the course of our chat she said she had ADHD. I knew very little about ADHD, but without any hesitation I told her "in many ways you are better than most people" Without knowing ADHD, I knew she was! My congratulations, Kathy, on explaining this not from the respect of someone who has simply learn it as part of their career, but BOTH as someone who has analyzed it and has it. Couldn't do better! A word on negative comments, even thought they don't bother you. Having started mt involvement with the internet in unmoderated newsgroups, I soon came to know people who are referred to as "trolls" but are basically cyber bullies - people who specialise in making sarcastic and biting remarks. A few might do so because they disagree with you in some way, but most are simply malicious. Why? They target a person they deem as "vulnerable" - easily upset. They target people who are obviously clever. But they may also be going through their own grief or hardship, and for reasons unknown to me they find some relief in deliberately upsetting others (speaking from experience). So....... keep up the good work! Share with us the benefits of your ADHD!
You just described about 98% of my youth, an amazing parallel. I was an incureable daydreamer as a small child. I could try desperately to pay attention in class, but next thing I knew my teacher was calling my name and I was pulled back from somewhere in outerspace. I can be reading a book on the bus and miss my stop and only be drawn out of the book by the driver when he reaches the end of the line. I have a horrible memory for names. (I forgot my college roommate's name over Christmas break.) I couldn't memorize single digit arithmetic sums, or multiplication tables. But I loved story problems. The more difficult the problem, the better I liked it. I was so clumsy at track that I had to put Band-aids on my ankles because I kept kicking them as I ran. But I was captain of the XC team. Fortunately, I'm already in my 70's so it no longer matters that my ADHD was never diagnosed. Besides, as a child I don't think even the doctors really had a handle on what ADHD was. Now I just blame it all on old age, and I watch your videos and Feynman's Lectures and such on RUclips and ignore the way my brain works or doesn't work. I bought your book. I've watched nearly all of your videos. I love the history of science because it explains the 'who' and 'why' of science, which to me is half of what science is. I can't learn 'pieces' of anything. All the pieces of the puzzle must fit together. I have to grok it. I wish I had been taught that way in my youth instead of having to teach myself so much after I retired. (I taught myself electronics as I worked, and spent a career solving problems in electronics R&D at HP, TRW, IBM, SONY, etc, with a HS education.) Now I look around and find that even though I dropped out of college after my freshman year the majority of my friends have PhD's in science. A friend, an American-born physicist, a professor who started the University of Central Florida's school of electro-optics can barely write well enough to be understood. He's very smart, and very well educated. But everything he writes has to be edited by someone else. We all have our quirks. Thank you for this video and your channel. BTW, just be you. It's what you do best. Your potential is your potential, not someone else's.
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics, Heinlein was a sexist, elitist, pompous, Right-wing ass who never got his fill of himself, or of jackbooted military power trips. I think he was insecure all his life, and so he spent it trying to convince himself and others that he wasn't. But he and Asimov were all I had as a child at my tiny town (population 1100,) rural MI library in the 1960's. (I had to have my mother give the librarian permission to allow me to go to the adult side of the library where the Sci-Fi books were kept.) So I read Heinlein, but I loved Asimov. I read over and over the 6 Asimov books the library had. What a crystal clear and thoughtful mind. But Heinlein did create the word 'grok' to describe that deep understanding of 'knowing' a subject, having it be a part of your reality that is far more than simply being able to answer test questions. In some areas of electronics I can go straight to an optimal solution to a problem instead of having to spend time number-crunching to come up with a 'pretty good' solution, because I grok the interactions of that area of knowledge. I know. Everything comes pre-weighted in my mind with known interactions. It's just nature. It's just reality. It's a carpenter knowing how hard to swing a hammer to drive a nail halfway down into the 2X4 without ever attaching a number to it, or even thinking about it. It's essentially a Zen awareness. Just being a part of your surroundings, belonging there. So in the context of creating a word to describe something important, Heinlein performed a service. His politics, on the other hand, I would happily spit on. I'm much more of a Robert Pirsig fan.
Laughing out loud when you talk about commenters complaining about your hands. Some people have too much time in their life. Your hands show your enthusiasm, and your enthusiasm for the topic is what makes your channel so great. Don't change!
Cheers from an older woman with ADHD that finds it to be a “delight” to be creative, curious and live in my head. The lamentation is that there aren’t many like me to relate to. ADHD can be a major superpower for those like us that love theoretical physics.
My late wife was Italian and her family would all talk with their hands. A friend of mine was sitting on one side of her and I was on the other while she was gesturing away. I looked across her to my friend and nodded- we each grabbed a hand and she went da da... and couldn't say a thing. We all laughed. You aren't alone, and we're all different. Keep up the good work.
It is amazing to discover you have ADHD as an adult. I discovered many of the same things you did and the patterns all fall in place. Your great, and I don't understand it all, My strength was cognition of words not math.
Kathy, longtime fan here. I’m 63 years old. Also undiagnosed childhood ADHD. I totally relate! My world changed when I took up my father’s coffee habit. I consider it “Ritalin/Adderal Lite” 😉 I suspect I’m also slightly Asperger’s. You might be too! Coffee and my obsession with computers and electronic music got me through a Bachelor of Science in degree in Physics. As a music lover of music, I remain obsessed with acoustics, electronics and digital signal processing. The history of musical instruments and recorded music of all kinds fascinates me. Wish I could start a channel like yours! Never stop what you’re doing.
You are a great person Kathy. It is wonderful to have people like you, during this period of time I am also living. I enjoy every single video you made as well your book. Your joy on making videos here is shared with everyone that follows your work.
🎉🎊🎉 congrats with you diagnose. Your story sounds identical to mine, I was diagnosed at 52. It feels so much better when you finally understand why. I follow you for a while now and you are RUclipsr number 20 or so who reveals they have ADHD. So I will say duh 😅
@@lucaambrogioni The diagnosis doesn’t change who you are/what you have, but it explains a lot of things that happened in your life. The diagnosis also gives the opportunity on the improvements by means of medication and or therapy. The diagnosis of ADHD usually means that things will improve. It’s totally different from being diagnosed with cancer. I hope this helps.
Didn't know how much i needed this as an adhd female physics student with a very non lineair career and life path. Seems like our stumbling isn't only our weakness, but also our strength is the reassurence i needed. You are such a delight and so brave!!!!
You are an amazing person with great storytelling and teaching skills. Thanks for sharing your story and your message. I love how passionately You explain the history of science. Congrats for your great RUclips channel. Greetings from this high school math teacher in Puebla, Mexico.
What attract me to your channel was your spirit and enthusiasm in talking about your subject material. I have ADHD so I never really notice your hands moving.
I just wanted to share that I teach some physics classes and I came across your channel last year when I was looking for some videos to share with my students for additional context. I'm not sure how my students feel about your videos, but I love when you have one that fits nicely with the content. I think that the historical context is important for learning and for understanding that science is done by real people, and your videos do a really good job of that!
In appliance repair school, 50 years ago, I learned about diodes. But I actually really understood diodes only a week ago. After all the books, all the videos, and all the years, I finally got it. And it was done by watching a video on how electrons were discovered. I can't tell you what a game-changer it's been. For me, I need to dig down to the "how" or the "why". Since then, my understanding of the unseen and small has rocked my world. Someone on another YT channel in the comments mentioned you and here I am. I'm so excited to have discovered your channel and I'm looking forward to learning so much. You're so charming Kathy and thank you for sharing your love of making YT videos. Kathy, I went to Patreon, but I see to give money, I have to do it every month, which I don't like to get locked into. Have you thought about YT's "Super Thanks"? That way I can just send a one time donation and I'm not locked into a monthly payment scheme.
I’ve loved your videos for a long time, and learned so much. As a specialist of ADHD here, I have to thank you so much for this sincere testimony. Awesome. Surely it will help other people to understand they’re not stupid and encourage them to seek for help. Well done.
Thank you for this heartfelt video. My ADHD expresses itself in aphorisms: You don't have to be neurological to be good. You don't have to be good at too much to give your best. Stay awesome. p.s. My motto is now: We're all different. It gives me something to talk about ...
Welcome to the club! I diagnosed myself when I was in my counseling psychology Ph.D program over 30 years ago. I have learned to accept that I learn differently, react differently, process differently, etc. I love to say "not all great minds think alike!" Although I resisted taking medications for decades, I find that Vyvanse (a dopamine reuptake inhibitor stimulant) really helps on days when I need to focus my concentration for long periods. Thanks for sharing your story!
I self-diagnosed I had ADD when I was about 50. When I went back to college at 45 yo, I taped every class and listened to the tapes once or twice. I graduated Deans List. Before that I was a B-C-D student. Life was SO fun fun is still HARD. Having fun is still important to me.
Having got to the end of this I have to comment again! You are so true and inspriring (I don't normally say this sort of stuff!). I'm nearly 54 and have of late really begun to think seriously that I'm ADD, recognising a lot of the traits you talk about in my myself. So thanks for shining a light on the subject in your charmingly non-BS way.
Just diagnosed with severe autism and ADHD at age 53. There is some anger at all the suffering but I'm super encouraged by finally knowing what's going on.
When I finally dragged myself into university my first essay was borderline fail and the tutor said he was surprised given the level of my contribution in tutorials. I said I can't spell so have to use the words i can spell. He said on the next essay forget the spelling and just write what you want. All the other essays were As. As it got harder i left the 'smart' folks behind because I understood complex interdependent theories better than them. I owe that guy a lot 😊
I must admit, I hadn’t really noticed the hands until you mentioned them. Interesting story. I recognise many parallels - barely turning in any homework as a child, annoyingly engaging in debate, family having low expectations of me academically (my mother described me as not very bright). Despite this, excelling at maths as an undergraduate, then research in particle physics which fizzled when it came to the actual research. I was at a loss there - ok, super-symmetric Yang-Mills isn’t exactly easy, but trying to get my head around it by taking a random walk through the ‘literature’ is overwhelming. I would not think I have ADHD, but my brain is definitely unique - I’ll learn more about ADHD now though. I’m certainly ‘uneven’ too though ;) - I can relate.
Hi Kathy. I live with a person who has ADHD, she was undiagnosed for many years (more than fourty), and I can follow what you're saying in this video. Congrats on your success on RUclips. I also like the history side of things and I have written web-pages about my field (Loudspeakers), a book, and a couple of RUclips videos with historical content (and they took months to prepare). I also gesticulate and I think of it as part of the communication. I totally understand your attraction to the history perspective. You're wonderful. Keep up the good work.
Kathy- this is your best video ever. I love your science history videos, but learning about your personal history was heartwarming and moving. Thanks for sharing so openly. :-)
All I can say is, Kathy, that I found out about you because of your book, not your RUclips. And your book is really, really great -- it brings the history of science to life in a way that is truly original and unique. As for me, I found this video delightful and laughed a lot, perhaps a wee bit guiltily. I also loved the history of science form the first time I came in contact with it, Yet, I also flunked out of PhD programs. Twice (it wasn't because of playing too much solitaire, though). This is one person who hopes that your RUclips work doesn't interfere with you writing another, if not a series of, book(s).
After watching some of your videos regarding quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, I realized that many of what I considered difficult and abstract topics are really logical consequences of prevailing knowledge at that time. I also realized that there is something wrong with how they teach physics nowadays and it really helps to go back to the source. We don't have the resources to go back to the source and translate from original publications so thank you for doing these videos! Historical approach, in this case, works especially when your audience has a considerable background on the subject. It made me see the forest and not just the trees.
Thanks Kathy, I am 100% sure I have inattentive ADHD. I struggle in math and physics because of poor working memory. This makes it extremely difficult for me to learn as fast as others, organize the material, use the theory in practice, plan out a solution, and also paying attention to detail when I read the problem statement. I am an adult now and have grown out of some symptoms that have affected my general life. Also have a difficult time visualizing the physics when I read or at lectures. Hopefully I will soon be diagnosed. I struggle with Electromagnetism (griffiths) and I saw you have conceptual videoes about it, which I look forward to watching. Thank you
Kathy your youtube is just so easy to follow I look forward to each posting they are so well layed out and bring sicence and the understanding right to me your hand flapping helps bring it all home and makes the story come alive Thank you so much. Russell Loudon New Zealand.
Hi chatty Kathy. I’m an adult with adhd and a huge fan of all things science. Lifelong learner, no surprise you show up in my cue. I enjoy your videos & the interesting tidbits about history. You’re a gem!
Thankyou so much for your channel. I was diagnosed with ADHD on Monday which is both life changing and life confirming for me. Also at the age of 39 I am retraining to become an electrician. Your videos and excellent way explaining 'stuff' has really helped be grasp concepts I was previously struggling with. Thankyou so much, keep up the great work! Am looking forward to your next 3 videos.
You have an original way of presenting, not because you do move your hands, but because you stand out between many. I must admit that when I started watching your videos, I sometimes thought why can't she stop moving her hands'', but the path you took us viewers on. Explaining how the human knowledge about physics evolved over time, this made me a subscribed viewer. The content is always first class, the pictures you use, the research you do, superb. The picture you sketch for me as a viewer connecting this knowledge evolution to physics itself is a natural way to understand or maybe better expressed to comprehend physics. I would hate to watch a future video without your hands. Thank you for all your work. I think that simplifying science (or math) is a stupid idea; it is a way of hiding essential parts. Many educators think that by leaving out certain parts the topic will become easier to understand, I disagree, explaining might take more time, but please let no one think that adjusting the facts makes learning easier. Your succes underlines this philosophy. I am looking forward to your next posts. Best regards.
Kathy, Thank you for this episode! I watched your 3 phase and was hooked. I have ADD and was fortunate to have two careers that allowed me to use my weird talents to make a positive contribution in the engineering field . You are a great teacher and have the ability to explain concepts on many levels!
As a recent and late diagnosed autistic, I can’t recommend enough getting one’s whole genome sequenced, then checking one’s variants against all of SNPedia. Reading about a “selective mutism” variant or whatever gene one may have starts the process of reprocessing all the interactions one has had in life and puts them into proper context. Early diagnosis will save lives. (Thank you Project Genome).
I knew there was something very special about you! My oldest son was diagnosed with ADHD in middle school. It was a difficult time and my wife and I had a difference of opinions on what treatment to go forward with. Her and I worked it out and we modified our lives to help our son without medication. He did well in grad school and today he is doing very well. Kathy, you have great content I enjoy your mannerism and enthusiasm. Keep it up.
When it comes to mental illnesses and treatment, acceptance is always the hardest step because no one wants to have a broken mind, right? I can understand your turmoil when you've had that computer test. It is always hard being proven to have a broken mind and to take that info in. But once we've accepted it, things get a bit easier and we move on to finding help and getting better. Glad to know youre living your best life yet at the moment. Love all of your videos. Physics and physicists always have amazing stories and you connect the dots very well! ❤
Please don't be sorry for who you are. You are a delight to this old soul, even though most of the time you're way over my head! I love your passion and love for your subject, and you make my day better by coming into my home!!
How it's possible that some people get mad just because you move your hands? Clearly, they've never been in Italy! (I'm Italian 😉) Thank you for your videos! The passion you put into them is just wonderful!
I have ADHD too, and got a late in life diagnosis. I can relate to all of this. I saw part of me in you, and have loved binging your content. You're a great presenter and I love your channel.
I enjoy your talks because you love the wonder of creation. I love it also. I am a retired Mathematical Statistician but am interested in everything. I agree physics is beautiful. I liked it at school but was side-tracked to Biometry. I have been always fascinated by the extraordinariness of living things. Your talks on Physics have filled in a gap in my understanding that I enjoyed 100%. I think you are a special person. 🔴✔
“You’re useful just the way you are. There are people who love you just the way you are. … the only one who didn’t was me.” Boy, is that ever painfully true. It’s super helpful to see people diagnosed as adults, find their way through this garbage of being different, what their skills are and where they belong. I often hear the phrase “be a difference maker” or “make a difference”, but when you ARE different and show up that way, most of the time people just want you to go away. It’s hurtful and confusing and makes life feel so long and not worth it. But, these are just feelings. They change sometimes. And it gives hope to see you making it through. Thank you very much for sharing, congratulations on everything and good luck with the upcoming move! ❤ ✌️ 🤙
Thank you! The positivity you express in this is so humbling, barely understand what it must have been like for you during a particular point in time in the respective environment. Your talk exhibits what is often just talked but not "walked" about - if you fail get up, learn from it and move on!
I'm 68, and have always talked with my hands constantly. (It's called illustrators.) A ticking clock will keep me awake at night. I remember every friend/relative phone number I've ever dialed. It's kinda cool, and frustrating at the same time. _Can not remember names_ . This video is an eye opener for me. Though at this point in life I try to just accept myself 100%.
Your hand/arm(a) movements are so common to me where I grew up in french Québec. The act of these physical expressions are extensions of my communication to others. This goes as well for the majority of french Québecers. Of course there are so many exceptions particularly in any of the media and communication areas where excessive hand gesturing is subtly controlled for viewership presentation. When I first came across your videos on the subects you covered almost 2 years ago I thought that you may have some french blood in you as are some of my family roots reside in the U.S. I love your videos and often return to some for clarification and further study. Thank you Kathy 😊.
Here's a comment for the bump. But I'm 6 minutes in and can't listen anymore. It hurts. My ADD was severe and the memory of my father shouting that "if I cared about the family, I wouldn't have lost my gym clothes again" is still fresh. Thanks for your content.
Oh my, I’m so sorry. I 100% understand if this video is cuts just way too close to home for you. Good luck with everything and please tell me if there’s any way I can help. Kathy
I have a enjoyed you and your videos for some time. Thank you. An industrial psychologist years ago told me there are several hundred job skills and few to none have them all; therefore, we are all handicapped. Later, a family counselor told me everybody is crazy, but most of us adjust in socially acceptable ways. Keep those key ideas in mind and life will be easier.
Thank you for a most inspiring personal reflection. You have a delightful sense of humor. I actually find that your hand movement adds drama to your presentations. Love your videos!
💚 Just be yourself. . (I am also ADHD ... brain hyper activity and very creative but often it's difficult to get my hands to follow my ideas, but when I do get in sync, I become hyper focused). Leon (76)
Hi Kathy. Thankyou so much for this video. I watch all you video and enjoy all of them. I never even noticed your hand gestures. People can be overly sensitive sometimes. Your honesty and sharing your passion for history is a real gift. Thankyou
Awesome!! I have a similar story. I was 40 when I was diagnosed. Understanding made all the difference! PS Love your channel. Go ahead and move your hands! :)
Love the channel. Love your animation. Welcome to the club. Is it a pain? Yes. But my ADHD / Autism is a great strength! The PE head of the company, head sales rep., my supervisor and I were brainstorming how to solve a gearing problem for a customer. After about 20 minutes I realized that instead of using real numbers I had to use integer math and keep track of the remainders. It worked well. We see things differently and so catch things that others can’t.
Thank you, especially thank you for welcoming me to the tribe. It really is a pain a lot of the time but at the same token it’s wonderful isn’t it? As long as we can focus on our skills, another weaknesses, it can be such a blessing.
Your videos are wonderful. And we love to listen to you and watch your videos. It’s ok to talk with your hands. Society needs more people like you! Just keep doing what you are doing please. Thank you. Your videos remind me of this British tv show called connections…and the secret life of machines…. Lastly, Maloon Lomis claimed to have transmitted wireless years before Marconi.
Kathy, I am truly happy for you, that you found your place in the world, that fits you. Even though you had it rough, eventually you are happy, you can do what you are passionate about, you do a great job doing it and you can pay your bills to live a comfortable life. It is rare to see this happening to people. I am truly happy for you and wish you all the best for the future. You said so many things in this video, I could talk about them on hours with you, so we could expand each others knowledge. But that will not happen. Bottom line: It is great that you recognize yourself as being worthy. Some of us still struggle with it, maybe we just did not have luck.
I wish I had something profound to say, but I don't really, except to thank you for your honesty. I don't always watch your videos straightaway, because I like having something really interesting to look forward to watch! I hope your impending move has worked out well for you? Take care and carry on!
Kathy You are really a creative story teller …. A great teacher. I admire your skills. Love to meet you once. Being a teacher I refer your videos to teacher so I become more resourceful when I feel confident and impress kids with history of science. This important for every kid that motivates them to do better. Thank you so much!!!!
I don't even see your hands moving. I would not have noticed them if you had not brought them up. What strikes me about you is your amazing energy, love, integrity, curiosity, and deep, deep desire to know, and the desire to explain to the world the very hard won secrets of our universe that extraordinary people have discovered or determined. You bring up the notion of being worthy, but that is only because the world at large does not tell all people, at least every day, how worthy they are, by just being who they are, which I have found to be no small feat. i would change nothing about you. My grandson has ADHD and is a very good gamer i understand. But he is quite quiet, uncommunicative to me, and I would appreciate any resource you might have on a person like that. Thank you for the great videos, sorry I can't be a patron of yours as you deserve them. I'm looking forward to your eventual video on the great people who brought the great internet in our lives.
First, thank you for your kind words. I’m thinking about my advice for you and your grandson. In general, I think the best way to bond with somebody is to pick a subject that neither of you are experts in. I feel like trying to join in other peoples areas of expertise Just leaves you frustrated. For example, if you both like doing physical things, you could have a contest to see who could make the strongest electromagnet with a single battery. You could turn up the ante and see what happens with two batteries. Then you could experiment with making your own telegraph line or making your own Crystal a.m. radio set or making your own shocking induction coil. The options are endless. If your grandson and you are not interested in physical things, you could play an old infocom game together. Infocom was a company that in the 80s produce this puzzle games with no visuals so it’s very old school. I would particularly advise Zorc three because it was fun and the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy because it is not only fun but also may introduce your grandson to the great Douglas Adams. These are just a couple of random suggestions based on things that I particularly interested in, but as long as it is something that seems interesting to the two of you, but neither of you are experts in it should work well. And if it doesn’t, it will be fun to learn what you both like together and what you both don’t like together. Good luck.
I have known that something was "wrong" with me since is was 6 and suffered a lot of consequences with not fitting in. As I grew older I realized I loved seeing how things worked and took things apart but never got around to putting them back together working. I finally figured out I could make a good career out of dismantling things and getting paid for it. It allows me to use my power to intensely focus on a job and efficiently break things apart. Short term, a few days at a time then on the the next demolition job.
Everything you were breaking down & explaining, was what at least “used to be” described as the difference between “A.D.D.” & “A.D.H.D.”, to my parents, all them many years ago, when I first got diagnosed @ 1982 or 3… having this non-H variant that, for whatever medical mental health psychologic reason, has all but been abandoned being used as an identifier around 15 some years ago. I can’t recall why that was done. As you were describing your childhood, it was as if you were explaining my own experiences verbatim! Only key diff was of myself having been diagnosed fairly early on in life. One interesting thing about mine was of there apparently being zero signs of me having any of the associated specific traits or symptoms of this ‘supposed’ “Disorder” (something i very much despised the labeling of when young; likely attributed to my being highly skeptical &/or, doubtful of dang near everything, questioning always), BEFORE i had my tonsils removed, which used to be back in the day, an extremely common surgery, tonsillectomy, on children, whether one had chronic sinusitis &/or ear-infections, or not.. I was 6 years of age at the time of that surgery; had to be knocked out. The anesthesiologist discovered rather quickly that I had literally flatlined.. it turned out that I’m deadly allergic to Succinylcholine, which was & still is sadly, commonly used on young children. This traumatic experience lead to why I think, my diagnosis of having A.D.D. came at such a young age.. @ 7 and a half or 8. As again, i hadn’t displayed any of the common associated traits or symptoms of it, pryer to ‘that’ trauma event. My parents, relatives & teachers’ alike, quickly noticed symptoms I was having, that weren’t “normal” of however I was pryer too that surgery & subsequent, albeit very short, temporary death… was as if that part of our frontal lobe that has something to do with this condition, was adversely affected by that anesthesia. Anywho… sorry for long rant! Too much coffee this morning, lol… at least now, I more understand why I’ve enjoyed & well understood your take/process of explaining whatever in your many fantastic videos! TY
I worked as an IT support guy. , when users said they felt stupid I would tell them they weren't stupid just lacking in knowledge. At one time, I had a girl on my team who knew to subtract a negative you add the number. It took me a year trying different explanations before I came up with the one she finally understood.
i just found you, looked for some videos and really loved them. I began to appreciate the history of science nearly a year ago and i think that it`s more proper way of teaching it. Probably i`d thought like that sooner if saw your videos earlier. And i guess that ADHD is the thing that makes your videos special and unique
Kathy, I must be blind, never noticed your hands moving until you pointed it out. I love your videos, always have. You are great, never try and change who you are for random people on the Internet - you just keep on being you. In my mind the only purpose of a language or any form of communication (I just noticed I'm moving my hands while thinking what to type, anyhow where was I, on yea), if I am currently the speaker, is to transfer one or more thoughts inside my head to the head of one or more fellow humans (or animals) and vice a versa. If I have tried my very best to say something but I end up mispronouncing the odd word, I do not see anything wrong with that as long as the bulk of the information has been transferred from A to B in the most accurate form - and you are brilliant at that. I expect that very soon your videos will start to reach a level were each one is viewed by more people than someone pre-internet would have communicated with in their entire lifetime - just keep in mind when that next jump in popularity happens that the way YOU got there was not by being what other people what you to be for them, but you being you.
Keep doing what you do. Keep being yourself. I love watching you move your hands when you speak. I'm certain that others feel the same as I do. If it were not so, your channel wouldn't have so many followers.
I very rarely comment on RUclips but feel compelled to now. Your videos popped up in my recommendations about a year or so ago and I was hooked. You and your videos just exude such energy and enthusiasm for the subject matter that I feel engaged from beginning to end, just by you being you. It was -- dare I say it? -- FUN! And reminded me of some of the very best teachers I've had. Got the book, loved it, recommend it to everyone, and can't wait for the next one. Keep on keeping on, being your authentic self, and don't let the negativity get you down. Thanks for all the knowledge you've shared with us so far, and here's hoping for more, as long as you yourself feel it's worth it for you.
This is fantastic. Such an interesting story. So well told. So personal, and yet so relevant to many people. I am going to share this with many of my students and friends.
I enjoy physics. There are many physics channels on youtube. I watch you, because l pay attention and learn. I pay attention because l am swept up by your enthusiasm. Thank you!
Such an encouraging and lovely video to watch this Sunday morning in India. I love all your videos, Kathy. You're such a fine, sincere person. I wish you the very best in all your endeavors.
super, just super, thank you! Your weirdness stories are hilarious..... exactly because they are so familiar ... it’s nice to be able to laugh at them with someone who knows
I love your videos. The way you are makes them so interesting and engaging. I would never think there was any reason you were different to anyone else. And you are not , you are brilliant and amazing . KEEP IT UP.
Kathy, your RUclips channel is your niche in life, no doubt about it, and your videos are well done and highly enjoyable. I have been involved in electronics tech since I was 14 (now 75) and I absolutely love everything about electronics even though, like any tech niche, it does separate you from the general population to one degree or another simply because most people you talk to have no idea what you're talking about. haha Anyway, I want to point you to a couple of books that have been a part of my library forever: "Mastering Technical Mathematics" (on Amazon Kindle) by Stan Gibilisco and Norman Crowhurst literally starts with counting and progresses all the way to probability with each section building to the next. Superbly written, take a peek at it if you're curious. The other book is "The Art of Electronics", a real work of art, literally. Perhaps they'll inspire more ideas ... ;-)
Kathy, I am so glad to know the tick tock of battery operated clocks makes someone else crazy. I’ve tried damping the disc they’re mounted on as well as separating the movement from the front, also with damping. The second hand sweep also really makes me crazy. I used to have jewelers remove the second hand and wish there was a digitized “analog” watch face without the second hand.
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics Kathy, A “quiet wall clock no ticking sound” search brings up a number of quiet clocks, and includes “Brand: Up Force” “Silent Clock Movement, Non Ticking Sweep Quartz Clock Movement DIY Repair Parts Replacement with Hands”. Did not read the reviews, but will, and then order one to use to “fix” a ticking clock I like. I will leave the super distracting second hand off!
There’s nothing wrong with your hards moving. :) It actually feels a bit like seeing an orchestra conductor at work. I think it’s great!
At the age of 48 I was diagnosed with adhd. Medication was added, and wow, what a difference!
I guess that because I kept my hands moving during lectures at school, that is why I did so well at school; I always took lots of notes, twice as much as others.
Kathy's hands moving is a HUGE distraction for me. The motion is distracting me from watching her lips move. The lips movement is a way that amplifies the volume. I have enough hearing loss in one ear that I lose words when I do not watch the lips move.
@@lourias interesting, I am hard of hearing too with lipreading and I don't mind the hands at all. As long as they aren't covering the mouth of course. Maybe it's related to fact I'm not ADHD but HSP (highly sensitive person) and I like the emotional ambiance Kathy's hands create. (Roughly speaking HSP is different from ADHD that HSP don't have trouble with rigidly structured tasks but still have problems with focus for different reason: they are prone to get overwhelmed with stimuli, both internal and external. It's not an official diagnosis yet, though.)
I just never really noticed your hands. It doesn't bother me at all. I'm so involved in the fascinating physics you're explaining. Stay the way you are Kathy. :)
@@jurajvariny6034 Being Deaf I noticed she has added actual captions for the Deaf. This helps alot with my focus.
I agree; I actually quite like it.
Neurotypical or not, Kathy, I love your enthusiasm for your subjects. It makes some difficult topics much more palatable. Thank you.
What an amazing peek behind the curtain ... thank you for sharing this part of your journey. So glad to hear you love what you're doing!!!
Thank you, I was a little nervous about it, but I feel so good just being honest.
I, too, was surprised I had ADHD. I think it's an important asset for a teacher. There were days I wouldn't take my meds because I knew I wasn't going to have the luxury of focusing one one thing at a time. We all learned to cope.
I thought it was both an asset and a hindrance as a teacher. Insured me taking attendance a challenge.
LOVE !!!
SPEECH TO TEXT ERROR - SPEECH TO TEXT ERROR
"Insured me taking attendance a challenge." ---- translates to:
----> "IT SURE MADE TAKING ATTENDANCE (a challenge).
[you're welcome]
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics
I was diagnosed with ADHD (hyperactive) in my 50s. Like all adult diagnoses, suddenly things make sense.
I was searching YT for clips of Adventures with Bill from the Red Green Show, and found a video made by one of the actors, "The Unofficial ADD Test". It's presented in a comedic style but was very accurate, eg give yourself a point for every book you've bought but never read. I was laughing at first and in tears by the end, "what?, that ISN"T normal?"
I was referred to specialist and told I was an extreme case. Why hadn't anyone told me before? How could I have known? I lamented my failures and missed opportunities, but accepted that now. I'm still learning how I'm different.
People will often say it's just an excuse for moral failures, laziness, lack of conviction etc, Kathy mentioned how triggered she was at being called lazy. But knowing ADHD is a way for us to deal with our differences.
It took me about 30 minutes to write this comment as I went looking for that video and it has been removed, and got distracted by other things.
I’m in the same boat. I’m still looking for a good specialist. Any advice will be helpful. Thanks 🙏
Kathy, I love your videos! They are wonderful, dramatic story telling. As someone who has studied physics, chemistry and electronics all my life I really appreciate their technical accuracy. Few historians get the science right. I know they must take a lot of work, and I am truly thankful to you for all you put into them. I like you as you are, and please keep up the hand flapping.
Thanks. 😍
It was quite surreal seeing the title of your video since I've been a subscriber for quite a while, and am also a 40+ physicist who was diagnosed with ADHD two weeks ago. Thank you so much for sharing your story; I've been in a big adjustment phase after the diagnostic session, and it reinforced to me that I'm not the only one in this boat!
Oh no, you’re not alone! You’ll have a lot to discover the coming time and most things (if not all) will be fantastic. Welcome to the club! (of out of the box thinking, creative, fun and interesting people).
That is so funny! I was just diagnosed two months ago, so we’re basically in the same boat. But I think there’s a lot of people in the boat with us and that is a great comfort.
Quite a fashion this adhd 😢
I’m excited for you. On the other hand, the quality of your scholarship and videos was first rate. Plus, anybody who throws Calvinball into a conversation is clearly a superior human being.
0:06 _“And it turns out I have ADHD. So I'm guessing a bunch of you are saying some version of Duh!”_ Thanks for sharing this incredibly important example of how folks need to listen carefully to others who communicate differently, instead of assuming the worst - and for telling your story with such cheerful humor! You are a great science communicator, and I love how you dive into the nitty-gritty details of the histories and the personalities involved in otherwise dry-looking equations.
you're a great and interesting person, Kathy.
Go on like you are used to, no metter where your hands are. We don't care about hands, we care about contents. And this is why we follow you.
Love from Italy.
Thank you so much Marco, I figured an Italian would never be offended by me using my hands when I talk. It’s practically part of the national identity.
In fact, when people complain about me using my hands, I said I have to because my husband is Italian 🤣
❤️ Kathy
This just reminded me of an old corny joke I heard way back.. oh, probably @ 1985-ish; “What’s the easiest way to get an Italian to stop talking? Handcuff them!” 🤪😂 please no one take offense to this joke. It is JUST A JOKE! I didn’t create it; just heard it decades ago
I know many Italians, I’m married to an Italian, and I got to tell you I can’t imagine Italian being offended by that joke.
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics esatto.
Nessuno di noi si offende per queste cose.
A noi piace ridere, e prenderci in giro a vicenda.
Vai, Kathy, continua a incantarci con le tue bellissime storie di scienza.
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics Lol… that “disclaimer” was more intended for, or, directed towards, that sadly growing camp of SUUUUuuuper Hypersensitive, ‘trigger-happy’, energy-vampire peeps, whom ‘react’ to otherwise extremely benign commentary, jokes, messages, sentences or, questions, with/of whatever EXCEPTIONALLY RUDE, off-color, retort “opinions” or general slander; as if the rest of the worlds’ populous MUST validate ‘their’ cries for attention, regardless of how they’re seeking it. Definitely wasn’t directed to you personally or likewise, undoubtedly, most sub’ers of your YT chan, for the love &/or interest of its content 👍🏼👍🏼 Learning inspires researching which builds knowledge, that grows intelligence, that forms understandings, manifesting positive tolerance & compassion of many diverse topics, fields &, subject matter, across all walks of life. As you apply included the mention of, within your A.D.H.D. ‘rant’ (lol; as you can clearly tell, I as well have it… very much so), that most folks ARE intelligent in their own specific way(s) &, really up to each one of us, to figure out how we each can contribute positively to any conversation or, group-action. I’ve MANY times over the decades, done that similar thing of spitballing my brainstorm idea(s) out to others, with intention of stating it as such (i definitely don’t always remember to do this), for the person or group, to think about or consider as an option for solution solving a problem presented.. JUST THE WAY I THINK! Can’t turn off this inner-engineer in my minds-eye, lol
A few months ago I chatted with a young lady at a charity collection stall outside a supermarket. In the course of our chat she said she had ADHD. I knew very little about ADHD, but without any hesitation I told her "in many ways you are better than most people" Without knowing ADHD, I knew she was!
My congratulations, Kathy, on explaining this not from the respect of someone who has simply learn it as part of their career, but BOTH as someone who has analyzed it and has it. Couldn't do better!
A word on negative comments, even thought they don't bother you. Having started mt involvement with the internet in unmoderated newsgroups, I soon came to know people who are referred to as "trolls" but are basically cyber bullies - people who specialise in making sarcastic and biting remarks. A few might do so because they disagree with you in some way, but most are simply malicious. Why? They target a person they deem as "vulnerable" - easily upset. They target people who are obviously clever. But they may also be going through their own grief or hardship, and for reasons unknown to me they find some relief in deliberately upsetting others (speaking from experience).
So....... keep up the good work! Share with us the benefits of your ADHD!
You just described about 98% of my youth, an amazing parallel. I was an incureable daydreamer as a small child. I could try desperately to pay attention in class, but next thing I knew my teacher was calling my name and I was pulled back from somewhere in outerspace. I can be reading a book on the bus and miss my stop and only be drawn out of the book by the driver when he reaches the end of the line. I have a horrible memory for names. (I forgot my college roommate's name over Christmas break.) I couldn't memorize single digit arithmetic sums, or multiplication tables. But I loved story problems. The more difficult the problem, the better I liked it. I was so clumsy at track that I had to put Band-aids on my ankles because I kept kicking them as I ran. But I was captain of the XC team.
Fortunately, I'm already in my 70's so it no longer matters that my ADHD was never diagnosed. Besides, as a child I don't think even the doctors really had a handle on what ADHD was. Now I just blame it all on old age, and I watch your videos and Feynman's Lectures and such on RUclips and ignore the way my brain works or doesn't work. I bought your book. I've watched nearly all of your videos. I love the history of science because it explains the 'who' and 'why' of science, which to me is half of what science is. I can't learn 'pieces' of anything. All the pieces of the puzzle must fit together. I have to grok it. I wish I had been taught that way in my youth instead of having to teach myself so much after I retired. (I taught myself electronics as I worked, and spent a career solving problems in electronics R&D at HP, TRW, IBM, SONY, etc, with a HS education.) Now I look around and find that even though I dropped out of college after my freshman year the majority of my friends have PhD's in science. A friend, an American-born physicist, a professor who started the University of Central Florida's school of electro-optics can barely write well enough to be understood. He's very smart, and very well educated. But everything he writes has to be edited by someone else. We all have our quirks. Thank you for this video and your channel. BTW, just be you. It's what you do best. Your potential is your potential, not someone else's.
I’m not a big Heinlein fan, but I love the word grok. And I too need to grok it before I understand it.
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics, Heinlein was a sexist, elitist, pompous, Right-wing ass who never got his fill of himself, or of jackbooted military power trips. I think he was insecure all his life, and so he spent it trying to convince himself and others that he wasn't. But he and Asimov were all I had as a child at my tiny town (population 1100,) rural MI library in the 1960's. (I had to have my mother give the librarian permission to allow me to go to the adult side of the library where the Sci-Fi books were kept.) So I read Heinlein, but I loved Asimov. I read over and over the 6 Asimov books the library had. What a crystal clear and thoughtful mind. But Heinlein did create the word 'grok' to describe that deep understanding of 'knowing' a subject, having it be a part of your reality that is far more than simply being able to answer test questions. In some areas of electronics I can go straight to an optimal solution to a problem instead of having to spend time number-crunching to come up with a 'pretty good' solution, because I grok the interactions of that area of knowledge. I know. Everything comes pre-weighted in my mind with known interactions. It's just nature. It's just reality. It's a carpenter knowing how hard to swing a hammer to drive a nail halfway down into the 2X4 without ever attaching a number to it, or even thinking about it. It's essentially a Zen awareness. Just being a part of your surroundings, belonging there. So in the context of creating a word to describe something important, Heinlein performed a service. His politics, on the other hand, I would happily spit on. I'm much more of a Robert Pirsig fan.
Laughing out loud when you talk about commenters complaining about your hands. Some people have too much time in their life. Your hands show your enthusiasm, and your enthusiasm for the topic is what makes your channel so great. Don't change!
Cheers from an older woman with ADHD that finds it to be a “delight” to be creative, curious and live in my head. The lamentation is that there aren’t many like me to relate to. ADHD can be a major superpower for those like us that love theoretical physics.
My late wife was Italian and her family would all talk with their hands. A friend of mine was sitting on one side of her and I was on the other while she was gesturing away. I looked across her to my friend and nodded- we each grabbed a hand and she went da da... and couldn't say a thing. We all laughed. You aren't alone, and we're all different. Keep up the good work.
It is amazing to discover you have ADHD as an adult. I discovered many of the same things you did and the patterns all fall in place. Your great, and I don't understand it all, My strength was cognition of words not math.
Kathy, longtime fan here. I’m 63 years old. Also undiagnosed childhood ADHD. I totally relate! My world changed when I took up my father’s coffee habit. I consider it “Ritalin/Adderal Lite” 😉
I suspect I’m also slightly Asperger’s. You might be too!
Coffee and my obsession with computers and electronic music got me through a Bachelor of Science in degree in Physics.
As a music lover of music, I remain obsessed with acoustics, electronics and digital signal processing. The history of musical instruments and recorded music of all kinds fascinates me. Wish I could start a channel like yours!
Never stop what you’re doing.
You are a great person Kathy. It is wonderful to have people like you, during this period of time I am also living. I enjoy every single video you made as well your book. Your joy on making videos here is shared with everyone that follows your work.
Thank you so much.
🎉🎊🎉 congrats with you diagnose. Your story sounds identical to mine, I was diagnosed at 52. It feels so much better when you finally understand why. I follow you for a while now and you are RUclipsr number 20 or so who reveals they have ADHD. So I will say duh 😅
We ADHD-ers seem to like each other. 😁
Isn’t it funny that once you see it it’s so clear in other people and yourself, but before you see it you have no idea?
How can you congratulate someone for getting a medical diagnosis? What sense does that make?
@@lucaambrogioni
The diagnosis doesn’t change who you are/what you have, but it explains a lot of things that happened in your life.
The diagnosis also gives the opportunity on the improvements by means of medication and or therapy.
The diagnosis of ADHD usually means that things will improve. It’s totally different from being diagnosed with cancer.
I hope this helps.
Didn't know how much i needed this as an adhd female physics student with a very non lineair career and life path. Seems like our stumbling isn't only our weakness, but also our strength is the reassurence i needed. You are such a delight and so brave!!!!
You are an amazing person with great storytelling and teaching skills. Thanks for sharing your story and your message. I love how passionately You explain the history of science. Congrats for your great RUclips channel. Greetings from this high school math teacher in Puebla, Mexico.
Thank you so much.
What attract me to your channel was your spirit and enthusiasm in talking about your subject material. I have ADHD so I never really notice your hands moving.
I just wanted to share that I teach some physics classes and I came across your channel last year when I was looking for some videos to share with my students for additional context. I'm not sure how my students feel about your videos, but I love when you have one that fits nicely with the content. I think that the historical context is important for learning and for understanding that science is done by real people, and your videos do a really good job of that!
In appliance repair school, 50 years ago, I learned about diodes. But I actually really understood diodes only a week ago. After all the books, all the videos, and all the years, I finally got it. And it was done by watching a video on how electrons were discovered. I can't tell you what a game-changer it's been. For me, I need to dig down to the "how" or the "why". Since then, my understanding of the unseen and small has rocked my world.
Someone on another YT channel in the comments mentioned you and here I am. I'm so excited to have discovered your channel and I'm looking forward to learning so much. You're so charming Kathy and thank you for sharing your love of making YT videos.
Kathy, I went to Patreon, but I see to give money, I have to do it every month, which I don't like to get locked into. Have you thought about YT's "Super Thanks"? That way I can just send a one time donation and I'm not locked into a monthly payment scheme.
Thanks for sharing. Especially, the "Stop being you!" insight. My ADHD wasn't diagnosed until I was 63.
I’ve loved your videos for a long time, and learned so much. As a specialist of ADHD here, I have to thank you so much for this sincere testimony. Awesome. Surely it will help other people to understand they’re not stupid and encourage them to seek for help. Well done.
Thank you for this heartfelt video. My ADHD expresses itself in aphorisms:
You don't have to be neurological to be good. You don't have to be good at too much to give your best.
Stay awesome.
p.s. My motto is now: We're all different. It gives me something to talk about ...
Welcome to the club! I diagnosed myself when I was in my counseling psychology Ph.D program over 30 years ago. I have learned to accept that I learn differently, react differently, process differently, etc. I love to say "not all great minds think alike!" Although I resisted taking medications for decades, I find that Vyvanse (a dopamine reuptake inhibitor stimulant) really helps on days when I need to focus my concentration for long
periods.
Thanks for sharing your story!
I self-diagnosed I had ADD when I was about 50. When I went back to college at 45 yo, I taped every class and listened to the tapes once or twice. I graduated Deans List. Before that I was a B-C-D student. Life was SO fun fun is still HARD. Having fun is still important to me.
Having got to the end of this I have to comment again! You are so true and inspriring (I don't normally say this sort of stuff!). I'm nearly 54 and have of late really begun to think seriously that I'm ADD, recognising a lot of the traits you talk about in my myself. So thanks for shining a light on the subject in your charmingly non-BS way.
Just diagnosed with severe autism and ADHD at age 53. There is some anger at all the suffering but I'm super encouraged by finally knowing what's going on.
Don't let the trolls get you down. Ignore them. Your style is your style.
When I finally dragged myself into university my first essay was borderline fail and the tutor said he was surprised given the level of my contribution in tutorials. I said I can't spell so have to use the words i can spell. He said on the next essay forget the spelling and just write what you want. All the other essays were As. As it got harder i left the 'smart' folks behind because I understood complex interdependent theories better than them. I owe that guy a lot 😊
I must admit, I hadn’t really noticed the hands until you mentioned them. Interesting story. I recognise many parallels - barely turning in any homework as a child, annoyingly engaging in debate, family having low expectations of me academically (my mother described me as not very bright). Despite this, excelling at maths as an undergraduate, then research in particle physics which fizzled when it came to the actual research. I was at a loss there - ok, super-symmetric Yang-Mills isn’t exactly easy, but trying to get my head around it by taking a random walk through the ‘literature’ is overwhelming. I would not think I have ADHD, but my brain is definitely unique - I’ll learn more about ADHD now though. I’m certainly ‘uneven’ too though ;) - I can relate.
Hi Kathy. I live with a person who has ADHD, she was undiagnosed for many years (more than fourty), and I can follow what you're saying in this video. Congrats on your success on RUclips. I also like the history side of things and I have written web-pages about my field (Loudspeakers), a book, and a couple of RUclips videos with historical content (and they took months to prepare). I also gesticulate and I think of it as part of the communication. I totally understand your attraction to the history perspective. You're wonderful. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much
Kathy- this is your best video ever.
I love your science history videos, but learning about your personal history was heartwarming and moving.
Thanks for sharing so openly.
:-)
All I can say is, Kathy, that I found out about you because of your book, not your RUclips. And your book is really, really great -- it brings the history of science to life in a way that is truly original and unique.
As for me, I found this video delightful and laughed a lot, perhaps a wee bit guiltily. I also loved the history of science form the first time I came in contact with it, Yet, I also flunked out of PhD programs. Twice (it wasn't because of playing too much solitaire, though).
This is one person who hopes that your RUclips work doesn't interfere with you writing another, if not a series of, book(s).
After watching some of your videos regarding quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, I realized that many of what I considered difficult and abstract topics are really logical consequences of prevailing knowledge at that time. I also realized that there is something wrong with how they teach physics nowadays and it really helps to go back to the source. We don't have the resources to go back to the source and translate from original publications so thank you for doing these videos! Historical approach, in this case, works especially when your audience has a considerable background on the subject. It made me see the forest and not just the trees.
I love the way you present. And I love this authentic look into your life and yourself.
Thanks Kathy, I am 100% sure I have inattentive ADHD. I struggle in math and physics because of poor working memory. This makes it extremely difficult for me to learn as fast as others, organize the material, use the theory in practice, plan out a solution, and also paying attention to detail when I read the problem statement. I am an adult now and have grown out of some symptoms that have affected my general life. Also have a difficult time visualizing the physics when I read or at lectures. Hopefully I will soon be diagnosed. I struggle with Electromagnetism (griffiths) and I saw you have conceptual videoes about it, which I look forward to watching. Thank you
"Contribute w/ur skills, not ur deficiencies."
Love ❤️ it.
Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf - makes video so much easier to follow.
Kathy your youtube is just so easy to follow I look forward to each posting they are so well layed out and bring sicence and the understanding right to me your hand flapping helps bring it all home and makes the story come alive Thank you so much. Russell Loudon New Zealand.
Thank you. (also, New Zealand is on the top of my bucket list so maybe someday I’ll come and visit you.).
Hi chatty Kathy. I’m an adult with adhd and a huge fan of all things science. Lifelong learner, no surprise you show up in my cue. I enjoy your videos & the interesting tidbits about history. You’re a gem!
We're so grateful. Your way of introducing us to the history of science is so great. Your enthusiasm is catching.
Dear Kathy, Thank you for sharing your inner self with us. You are simply wonderful!
Thankyou so much for your channel. I was diagnosed with ADHD on Monday which is both life changing and life confirming for me.
Also at the age of 39 I am retraining to become an electrician. Your videos and excellent way explaining 'stuff' has really helped be grasp concepts I was previously struggling with.
Thankyou so much, keep up the great work! Am looking forward to your next 3 videos.
You have an original way of presenting, not because you do move your hands, but because you stand out between many. I must admit that when I started watching your videos, I sometimes thought why can't she stop moving her hands'', but the path you took us viewers on. Explaining how the human knowledge about physics evolved over time, this made me a subscribed viewer. The content is always first class, the pictures you use, the research you do, superb. The picture you sketch for me as a viewer connecting this knowledge evolution to physics itself is a natural way to understand or maybe better expressed to comprehend physics. I would hate to watch a future video without your hands. Thank you for all your work. I think that simplifying science (or math) is a stupid idea; it is a way of hiding essential parts. Many educators think that by leaving out certain parts the topic will become easier to understand, I disagree, explaining might take more time, but please let no one think that adjusting the facts makes learning easier. Your succes underlines this philosophy. I am looking forward to your next posts. Best regards.
Kathy, Thank you for this episode! I watched your 3 phase and was hooked. I have ADD and was fortunate to have two careers that allowed me to use my weird talents to make a positive contribution in the engineering field . You are a great teacher and have the ability to explain concepts on many levels!
Thanks, I needed that. I’m so discouraged and I really needed to hear about how you cope and make ADHD work for you. Thanks!
Absolutely loved this honesty Kathy. Really brilliant and funny thanks for inspiring me to be my best friend also💕
As a recent and late diagnosed autistic, I can’t recommend enough getting one’s whole genome sequenced, then checking one’s variants against all of SNPedia. Reading about a “selective mutism” variant or whatever gene one may have starts the process of reprocessing all the interactions one has had in life and puts them into proper context.
Early diagnosis will save lives. (Thank you Project Genome).
I knew there was something very special about you! My oldest son was diagnosed with ADHD in middle school. It was a difficult time and my wife and I had a difference of opinions on what treatment to go forward with. Her and I worked it out and we modified our lives to help our son without medication. He did well in grad school and today he is doing very well. Kathy, you have great content I enjoy your mannerism and enthusiasm. Keep it up.
When it comes to mental illnesses and treatment, acceptance is always the hardest step because no one wants to have a broken mind, right?
I can understand your turmoil when you've had that computer test. It is always hard being proven to have a broken mind and to take that info in. But once we've accepted it, things get a bit easier and we move on to finding help and getting better.
Glad to know youre living your best life yet at the moment. Love all of your videos. Physics and physicists always have amazing stories and you connect the dots very well! ❤
Please don't be sorry for who you are. You are a delight to this old soul, even though most of the time you're way over my head! I love your passion and love for your subject, and you make my day better by coming into my home!!
How it's possible that some people get mad just because you move your hands? Clearly, they've never been in Italy! (I'm Italian 😉) Thank you for your videos! The passion you put into them is just wonderful!
I have ADHD too, and got a late in life diagnosis. I can relate to all of this. I saw part of me in you, and have loved binging your content. You're a great presenter and I love your channel.
Thank you
I enjoy your talks because you love the wonder of creation. I love it also. I am a retired Mathematical Statistician but am interested in everything.
I agree physics is beautiful. I liked it at school but was side-tracked to Biometry. I have been always fascinated by the extraordinariness of living things.
Your talks on Physics have filled in a gap in my understanding that I enjoyed 100%.
I think you are a special person.
🔴✔
“You’re useful just the way you are. There are people who love you just the way you are. … the only one who didn’t was me.”
Boy, is that ever painfully true.
It’s super helpful to see people diagnosed as adults, find their way through this garbage of being different, what their skills are and where they belong.
I often hear the phrase “be a difference maker” or “make a difference”, but when you ARE different and show up that way, most of the time people just want you to go away. It’s hurtful and confusing and makes life feel so long and not worth it.
But, these are just feelings. They change sometimes. And it gives hope to see you making it through. Thank you very much for sharing, congratulations on everything and good luck with the upcoming move! ❤ ✌️ 🤙
Thank you! The positivity you express in this is so humbling, barely understand what it must have been like for you during a particular point in time in the respective environment. Your talk exhibits what is often just talked but not "walked" about - if you fail get up, learn from it and move on!
I'm 68, and have always talked with my hands constantly. (It's called illustrators.) A ticking clock will keep me awake at night. I remember every friend/relative phone number I've ever dialed. It's kinda cool, and frustrating at the same time. _Can not remember names_ .
This video is an eye opener for me. Though at this point in life I try to just accept myself 100%.
So much parallel including learning how to figure things from first principles rather than memorizing and so much more.
Your hand/arm(a) movements are so common to me where I grew up in french Québec. The act of these physical expressions are extensions of my communication to others. This goes as well for the majority of french Québecers. Of course there are so many exceptions particularly in any of the media and communication areas where excessive hand gesturing is subtly controlled for viewership presentation.
When I first came across your videos on the subects you covered almost 2 years ago I thought that you may have some french blood in you as are some of my family roots reside in the U.S.
I love your videos and often return to some for clarification and further study. Thank you Kathy 😊.
Love your work, please keep it up. And also, that flower arrangement behind you - beautiful
Here's a comment for the bump. But I'm 6 minutes in and can't listen anymore. It hurts. My ADD was severe and the memory of my father shouting that "if I cared about the family, I wouldn't have lost my gym clothes again" is still fresh. Thanks for your content.
Oh my, I’m so sorry. I 100% understand if this video is cuts just way too close to home for you.
Good luck with everything and please tell me if there’s any way I can help.
Kathy
I have a enjoyed you and your videos for some time. Thank you.
An industrial psychologist years ago told me there are several hundred job skills and few to none have them all; therefore, we are all handicapped.
Later, a family counselor told me everybody is crazy, but most of us adjust in socially acceptable ways.
Keep those key ideas in mind and life will be easier.
Thank you for a most inspiring personal reflection. You have a delightful sense of humor. I actually find that your hand movement adds drama to your presentations. Love your videos!
💚
Just be yourself.
.
(I am also ADHD ... brain hyper activity and very creative but often it's difficult to get my hands to follow my ideas, but when I do get in sync, I become hyper focused).
Leon (76)
Hi Kathy. Thankyou so much for this video. I watch all you video and enjoy all of them. I never even noticed your hand gestures. People can be overly sensitive sometimes. Your honesty and sharing your passion for history is a real gift. Thankyou
Thanks
Great video. Different from most Kathy videos. Congrats for the best channel in youtube
Lots of love, I enjoy all your videos, but this one, got me to tears. THANK YOU from México
Now that’s gonna make me almost cry. Thank you.
Awesome!! I have a similar story. I was 40 when I was diagnosed. Understanding made all the difference! PS Love your channel. Go ahead and move your hands! :)
Don't stop being you! I love your story telling. Keep it up.
Love the channel. Love your animation. Welcome to the club. Is it a pain? Yes. But my ADHD / Autism is a great strength! The PE head of the company, head sales rep., my supervisor and I were brainstorming how to solve a gearing problem for a customer. After about 20 minutes I realized that instead of using real numbers I had to use integer math and keep track of the remainders. It worked well. We see things differently and so catch things that others can’t.
Thank you, especially thank you for welcoming me to the tribe. It really is a pain a lot of the time but at the same token it’s wonderful isn’t it? As long as we can focus on our skills, another weaknesses, it can be such a blessing.
Hi Kathy, thank you for posting your story and for making your videos. My wife also has ADHD. I enjoy your videos.
Listening to you is truly an uplifting experience.
Your videos are wonderful. And we love to listen to you and watch your videos. It’s ok to talk with your hands. Society needs more people like you! Just keep doing what you are doing please. Thank you.
Your videos remind me of this British tv show called connections…and the secret life of machines….
Lastly, Maloon Lomis claimed to have transmitted wireless years before Marconi.
Great video. I love the videos you produce. They fill a void in RUclips which is hard to do.
Kathy, I am truly happy for you, that you found your place in the world, that fits you. Even though you had it rough, eventually you are happy, you can do what you are passionate about, you do a great job doing it and you can pay your bills to live a comfortable life. It is rare to see this happening to people. I am truly happy for you and wish you all the best for the future. You said so many things in this video, I could talk about them on hours with you, so we could expand each others knowledge. But that will not happen. Bottom line: It is great that you recognize yourself as being worthy. Some of us still struggle with it, maybe we just did not have luck.
I wish I had something profound to say, but I don't really, except to thank you for your honesty. I don't always watch your videos straightaway, because I like having something really interesting to look forward to watch! I hope your impending move has worked out well for you? Take care and carry on!
Kathy You are really a creative story teller …. A great teacher. I admire your skills. Love to meet you once. Being a teacher I refer your videos to teacher so I become more resourceful when I feel confident and impress kids with history of science. This important for every kid that motivates them to do better.
Thank you so much!!!!
I don't even see your hands moving. I would not have noticed them if you had not brought them up. What strikes me about you is your amazing energy, love, integrity, curiosity, and deep, deep desire to know, and the desire to explain to the world the very hard won secrets of our universe that extraordinary people have discovered or determined. You bring up the notion of being worthy, but that is only because the world at large does not tell all people, at least every day, how worthy they are, by just being who they are, which I have found to be no small feat. i would change nothing about you.
My grandson has ADHD and is a very good gamer i understand. But he is quite quiet, uncommunicative to me, and I would appreciate any resource you might have on a person like that. Thank you for the great videos, sorry I can't be a patron of yours as you deserve them. I'm looking forward to your eventual video on the great people who brought the great internet in our lives.
First, thank you for your kind words. I’m thinking about my advice for you and your grandson.
In general, I think the best way to bond with somebody is to pick a subject that neither of you are experts in. I feel like trying to join in other peoples areas of expertise Just leaves you frustrated.
For example, if you both like doing physical things, you could have a contest to see who could make the strongest electromagnet with a single battery. You could turn up the ante and see what happens with two batteries. Then you could experiment with making your own telegraph line or making your own Crystal a.m. radio set or making your own shocking induction coil. The options are endless.
If your grandson and you are not interested in physical things, you could play an old infocom game together. Infocom was a company that in the 80s produce this puzzle games with no visuals so it’s very old school. I would particularly advise Zorc three because it was fun and the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy because it is not only fun but also may introduce your grandson to the great Douglas Adams.
These are just a couple of random suggestions based on things that I particularly interested in, but as long as it is something that seems interesting to the two of you, but neither of you are experts in it should work well. And if it doesn’t, it will be fun to learn what you both like together and what you both don’t like together.
Good luck.
I have known that something was "wrong" with me since is was 6 and suffered a lot of consequences with not fitting in. As I grew older I realized I loved seeing how things worked and took things apart but never got around to putting them back together working. I finally figured out I could make a good career out of dismantling things and getting paid for it. It allows me to use my power to intensely focus on a job and efficiently break things apart. Short term, a few days at a time then on the the next demolition job.
I love that!
Wow wow wow!!
I love your videos. I watch them with my son.
THANK YOU for this description 🙏
Everything you were breaking down & explaining, was what at least “used to be” described as the difference between “A.D.D.” & “A.D.H.D.”, to my parents, all them many years ago, when I first got diagnosed @ 1982 or 3… having this non-H variant that, for whatever medical mental health psychologic reason, has all but been abandoned being used as an identifier around 15 some years ago. I can’t recall why that was done. As you were describing your childhood, it was as if you were explaining my own experiences verbatim! Only key diff was of myself having been diagnosed fairly early on in life. One interesting thing about mine was of there apparently being zero signs of me having any of the associated specific traits or symptoms of this ‘supposed’ “Disorder” (something i very much despised the labeling of when young; likely attributed to my being highly skeptical &/or, doubtful of dang near everything, questioning always), BEFORE i had my tonsils removed, which used to be back in the day, an extremely common surgery, tonsillectomy, on children, whether one had chronic sinusitis &/or ear-infections, or not.. I was 6 years of age at the time of that surgery; had to be knocked out. The anesthesiologist discovered rather quickly that I had literally flatlined.. it turned out that I’m deadly allergic to Succinylcholine, which was & still is sadly, commonly used on young children. This traumatic experience lead to why I think, my diagnosis of having A.D.D. came at such a young age.. @ 7 and a half or 8. As again, i hadn’t displayed any of the common associated traits or symptoms of it, pryer to ‘that’ trauma event. My parents, relatives & teachers’ alike, quickly noticed symptoms I was having, that weren’t “normal” of however I was pryer too that surgery & subsequent, albeit very short, temporary death… was as if that part of our frontal lobe that has something to do with this condition, was adversely affected by that anesthesia. Anywho… sorry for long rant! Too much coffee this morning, lol… at least now, I more understand why I’ve enjoyed & well understood your take/process of explaining whatever in your many fantastic videos! TY
I worked as an IT support guy. , when users said they felt stupid I would tell them they weren't stupid just lacking in knowledge. At one time, I had a girl on my team who knew to subtract a negative you add the number. It took me a year trying different explanations before I came up with the one she finally understood.
i just found you, looked for some videos and really loved them. I began to appreciate the history of science nearly a year ago and i think that it`s more proper way of teaching it. Probably i`d thought like that sooner if saw your videos earlier. And i guess that ADHD is the thing that makes your videos special and unique
Kathy, I must be blind, never noticed your hands moving until you pointed it out. I love your videos, always have. You are great, never try and change who you are for random people on the Internet - you just keep on being you.
In my mind the only purpose of a language or any form of communication (I just noticed I'm moving my hands while thinking what to type, anyhow where was I, on yea), if I am currently the speaker, is to transfer one or more thoughts inside my head to the head of one or more fellow humans (or animals) and vice a versa. If I have tried my very best to say something but I end up mispronouncing the odd word, I do not see anything wrong with that as long as the bulk of the information has been transferred from A to B in the most accurate form - and you are brilliant at that.
I expect that very soon your videos will start to reach a level were each one is viewed by more people than someone pre-internet would have communicated with in their entire lifetime - just keep in mind when that next jump in popularity happens that the way YOU got there was not by being what other people what you to be for them, but you being you.
Keep doing what you do. Keep being yourself. I love watching you move your hands when you speak. I'm certain that others feel the same as I do. If it were not so, your channel wouldn't have so many followers.
I very rarely comment on RUclips but feel compelled to now. Your videos popped up in my recommendations about a year or so ago and I was hooked. You and your videos just exude such energy and enthusiasm for the subject matter that I feel engaged from beginning to end, just by you being you. It was -- dare I say it? -- FUN! And reminded me of some of the very best teachers I've had. Got the book, loved it, recommend it to everyone, and can't wait for the next one. Keep on keeping on, being your authentic self, and don't let the negativity get you down. Thanks for all the knowledge you've shared with us so far, and here's hoping for more, as long as you yourself feel it's worth it for you.
Thank you so much
You are one of the bravest souls I have ever seen.
This one really deserves to be made a TED talk !!!
This is fantastic. Such an interesting story. So well told. So personal, and yet so relevant to many people. I am going to share this with many of my students and friends.
Thanks! I was worried about publishing this video but almost everyone has been so kind and supportive that I’m really glad I did
I enjoy physics. There are many physics channels on youtube. I watch you, because l pay attention and learn. I pay attention because l am swept up by your enthusiasm. Thank you!
Such an encouraging and lovely video to watch this Sunday morning in India. I love all your videos, Kathy. You're such a fine, sincere person. I wish you the very best in all your endeavors.
super, just super, thank you! Your weirdness stories are hilarious..... exactly because they are so familiar ... it’s nice to be able to laugh at them with someone who knows
I love your videos. The way you are makes them so interesting and engaging. I would never think there was any reason you were different to anyone else. And you are not , you are brilliant and amazing . KEEP IT UP.
I am so proud of you, you told your truth and it was beautiful, similar experiences to all "different" people.
Love your flapping arms!!!!!
Kathy, your RUclips channel is your niche in life, no doubt about it, and your videos are well done and highly enjoyable. I have been involved in electronics tech since I was 14 (now 75) and I absolutely love everything about electronics even though, like any tech niche, it does separate you from the general population to one degree or another simply because most people you talk to have no idea what you're talking about. haha Anyway, I want to point you to a couple of books that have been a part of my library forever: "Mastering Technical Mathematics" (on Amazon Kindle) by Stan Gibilisco and Norman Crowhurst literally starts with counting and progresses all the way to probability with each section building to the next. Superbly written, take a peek at it if you're curious. The other book is "The Art of Electronics", a real work of art, literally. Perhaps they'll inspire more ideas ... ;-)
Kathy,
I am so glad to know the tick tock of battery operated clocks makes someone else crazy. I’ve tried damping the disc they’re mounted on as well as separating the movement from the front, also with damping.
The second hand sweep also really makes me crazy. I used to have jewelers remove the second hand and wish there was a digitized “analog” watch face without the second hand.
Yes!! Isn’t it horrible and no one else seems bothered.
@@Kathy_Loves_Physics
Kathy,
A “quiet wall clock no ticking sound” search brings up a number of quiet clocks, and includes “Brand: Up Force”
“Silent Clock Movement, Non Ticking Sweep Quartz Clock Movement DIY Repair Parts
Replacement with Hands”. Did not read the reviews, but will, and then order one to use to “fix” a ticking clock I like. I will leave the super distracting second hand off!