CURRENT MISSION

Improbable

ABOUT ME

I recently defended my PhD thesis in fusion plasma physics, so I guess I am a scientist. I also have a master's degree in engineering physics, but currently no plans of pursuing the engineering profession. I'm bad at decision making, especially Big Decisions, as with deciding what I want to do when I grow up. (This particular hesitation owes at least in part to the social analogy of a physicist's obsession with doing "useful work" as opposed to just producing more heat...) I probably worry to much... =)

PHILOSOPHY

I'm an awkward mixture of a cynic and a hopeless romantic. Hopeless in the common unyielding sense, but also because of cynicism and romanticism being quite akin to oil and water, with cynicism usually ending up on top.
I've always regarded myself as a pessimist, but I generally don't let that get in the way of having a semi-good time. (I also can't quite stand overt pessimism in others, thus I often try to talk them out of it. I'm a hippocrite, I know...)
I believe that people in general should devote more time to one another, and be less preoccupied with things. That being said, I am very fond of many of my own possessions, especially my books. As I said, I can be a hypocrite, but sound advice is sound advice, regardless of whether the giver has the strength to follow it. ^^
I am also of the opinion that passivity, when the consequences are understood, and the means for fixing a perceived problem are available, is an active choice, and should be judged as such. Needless to say, I get a very bad conscience from just walking past scrap paper on the street...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

So far mainly by meeting my friend's couchsurfers, but I have hosted on occasion. Always a nice experience.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've couchsurfed twice now, but both times with former couchsurfers of a friend of mine, so I'm not sure that it counts. Either way, both experiences (and trips) were great.
So far I've only had the opportunity to host two surfers.

Interests

I have tonnes of interests, most (if not all) of which can are clustered around of three principal concepts: understanding, creating and telling.
The Natural sciences at large interest me, as do many other sciences. I like to learn about how things work, be they people, communities, musical instruments or stars. To this end I frequently engage myself in various hobby projects, but I often loose interest when I feel I have learnt or understood the technique.
When I have time over I like to read. It is in many ways my favourite pastime, and I enjoy very disparate genres, ranging from humour and popular science to social realism and science fiction. In SF I prefer idea-driven stories, and as of late I have a special liking for social SF.
Reading aside, my largest interest is definitely capoeira. I have been doing it for nigh 10 years, and hope to continue. A friend recently asked me if you "feel capoeira", and though the question puzzled me at the time I realised just yesterday that, yes you do feel it. It is so much more than a dance or a martial art. It is music, culture and the freedom of the body. I normally use the L-word sparingly, but I love capoeira.
I am regularly overcome by sloth (not the nice and cuddly South American variety, but the more pedestrian kind), so I don't show my interests as much interest as I would have liked to.

• arts
• culture
• books
• dancing
• capoeira
• coffee
• walking
• electronics
• reading
• traveling
• music
• engineering
• physics
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I love books. Three of my favourite authors are George Orwell (Homage to Catalonia, 1984), Douglas Adams (The Guide, Last Chance to See) and Mark Twain (his short stories!). I also like the works of Ursula K. LeGuin, especially her thought-provoking novel The Dispossessed, and I consider the manga Nausicaä by the master Hayao Miyazaki a true work of art.
I'm a musical omnivore, but at the moment I particularly enjoy electronic music, progressive rock, punk cabaret and melancholy folk pop/rock. I can't quite play any instruments myself (though at times I try to learn), but I like to sing.
Renting movies in my home town was very cheap, so I can afford a broad taste... I recommend My Neighbour Totoro by Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli and Land and Freedom by Ken Loach.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My primary circuits came online just two minutes ago, and therefore my greatest achievements to date have been attaining self-awareness, inventing time-travel, and instigating nuclear Armageddon.

Teach, Learn, Share

Whisky and watermelons don't mix, and neither do coffee and scones.

I am a physicist. I also know soldering and electronics, programming, and how to make flutes from bamboo or PVC pipes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Sweden

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