So, this week I've been reading 'I am a strange loop' by Douglas Hofstadter. It's all about the self and consciousness - the 'I'. It is a fascinating read that I am enjoying in my favorite manner, reading piece by piece as opposed to cover to cover. I have enjoyed a week of contemplating time and perception and this book is complimenting it all quite well.
This all got me thinking, about memory. The storage of time within brain matter, available for reflection for ~all time. Interesting. So, if we think and then store that information to later use in further thinking, we are essentially combining times for use in our now.
Showing posts with label Mathematics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mathematics. Show all posts
18 June 2012
13 April 2012
Alcohol & Perception ~ Computing Fractions Naturally ~ Known Protein Found in New Profession
Interesting article from Scientific American about the affects of moderate alcohol on ones perception and the psychological aspects of behavior in social situations under these conditions.
Thought provoking article on the natural capacity of the mind to compute fractions.
An intriguing role for a well known protein has recently been discovered to have a significant effect on cognitive function; could lead to treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
KAS
Thought provoking article on the natural capacity of the mind to compute fractions.
An intriguing role for a well known protein has recently been discovered to have a significant effect on cognitive function; could lead to treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
KAS
14 February 2011
pi
Again, I am surprised by my new found ignorance of pi... .But, what is time anyways, I didn't know then, but know it now- making the subject regardless. So, early this morning, I was 'off to the races' to explore this new term, this new bit of information about an odd, interesting and as I perceived it unnatural number.
Unnatural, you might ask? Well, it's only strange that a number might not end because.. a number is a measurement of something. Quite obviously, a number cannot be a representation, if it is incomplete. This number is so very, very long that in decimal form- it's been measured to millions of digits of decimal numbers after the number 3. A common approximation is 3.14159...but, it never ends (at least to the extent it is currently understood.)
Let me explain. pi is the ratio of the circles radius to the circumference. It doesn't matter the size of the circle, it is always the same. O.k.,,, makes sense. I can comfortably shake that about my globe. But, at some point, doesn't a number hit 3.2? So, the number should, rationally, end! Imagine, if you will, ten lines between the number three and the number four. Imagine again that there are also ten smaller lines between each of those ten lines (and so on...) If 3.1 is one line and 3.2 is another- pi must lie on some line somewhere in between. Where it lies, must be rigid.. no?
Unnatural, you might ask? Well, it's only strange that a number might not end because.. a number is a measurement of something. Quite obviously, a number cannot be a representation, if it is incomplete. This number is so very, very long that in decimal form- it's been measured to millions of digits of decimal numbers after the number 3. A common approximation is 3.14159...but, it never ends (at least to the extent it is currently understood.)
Let me explain. pi is the ratio of the circles radius to the circumference. It doesn't matter the size of the circle, it is always the same. O.k.,,, makes sense. I can comfortably shake that about my globe. But, at some point, doesn't a number hit 3.2? So, the number should, rationally, end! Imagine, if you will, ten lines between the number three and the number four. Imagine again that there are also ten smaller lines between each of those ten lines (and so on...) If 3.1 is one line and 3.2 is another- pi must lie on some line somewhere in between. Where it lies, must be rigid.. no?
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