July 12, 2026
Physics vs. The Comment Section
So you want to learn physics (second edition, 2021)
A beloved DIY physics guide is back, and the internet is split between awe and eye-rolls
TLDR: A hugely popular self-study physics guide got an updated edition after helping hundreds of thousands of curious readers. The community reaction is split between inspired fans who love the open-access roadmap and skeptics who say learning a giant subject alone is unrealistic unless you keep it practical.
The internet’s favorite “teach yourself physics” guide has returned with a second edition, and the reaction is basically a mix of standing ovation, skeptical side-eye, and one very loud cry of: “Okay, but where’s the math version?” The updated guide, written after years of reader feedback, has already built a near-mythical reputation online. The author says more than 600,000 people have used it, with some readers even going on to earn physics degrees. For fans, that’s the fantasy: a clear roadmap for ordinary people who just want to understand how the universe works, no fancy classroom required.
But in the comments, the real show begins. One person points out the guide was already wildly popular on Hacker News in 2023, basically confirming it has become one of those recurring internet favorites people keep rediscovering like a comfort movie. Then came the instant heckling from the practical crowd: can you really self-study an entire subject as huge as physics after college, or is that just aspirational internet catnip? One skeptical commenter flat-out said they “have no idea why these sorts of posts are popular,” arguing people should learn only the small chunk they actually need, like GPS or fluid flow, instead of trying to swallow a whole university education at home.
And then there’s the joke that says everything: “Is there a math edition?” In one line, the community summed up the eternal truth of physics fandom — everyone loves the idea of physics until the numbers show up. The mood? Equal parts inspiration, reality check, and nerdy comedy.
Key Points
- •Susan Fowler says her self-study physics guide has been used by more than 600,000 readers since the first edition.
- •The article reports that some readers later pursued undergraduate physics degrees and graduate study after following the curriculum.
- •Fowler says the guide was created to provide a clear, accessible path for people who want to study physics outside formal university programs.
- •The second edition was revised using reader feedback collected over nearly six years.
- •Updates in the second edition include newer textbook editions, additional undergraduate electives, and a new section for graduate-level electives.