Not for the faint of art. |
Complex Numbers A complex number is expressed in the standard form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is defined by i^2 = -1 (that is, i is the square root of -1). For example, 3 + 2i is a complex number. The bi term is often referred to as an imaginary number (though this may be misleading, as it is no more "imaginary" than the symbolic abstractions we know as the "real" numbers). Thus, every complex number has a real part, a, and an imaginary part, bi. Complex numbers are often represented on a graph known as the "complex plane," where the horizontal axis represents the infinity of real numbers, and the vertical axis represents the infinity of imaginary numbers. Thus, each complex number has a unique representation on the complex plane: some closer to real; others, more imaginary. If a = b, the number is equal parts real and imaginary. Very simple transformations applied to numbers in the complex plane can lead to fractal structures of enormous intricacy and astonishing beauty. |
Wrapping up October's "Journalistic Intentions" [18+] with a blind quote. "It is important to start socializing the idea of reforms now—sometimes they are upon us quicker than we think." I have no idea what this is in reference to, and I don't want to look it up to do this entry. It's called a blind quote for a reason. I'm going to go ahead and assume it's referring to something in the US, though. Consequently, no matter to what it refers, half the country stopped reading at "socializing" and immediately dismissed anything else. "Sounds like soshulizm to me." I considered listing some issues that might need reform here, but there are so many things in that category in the US that it might be easier to list the things that are not in need of reform. And if I had given myself more time, I might even be able to think of one. Thing is, when something is going right, we tend not to worry about it too much. This was the case with (yes, I'm going here) abortion laws, until suddenly it wasn't going right and it became something in need of reform. The other problem with listing the things I think do need reform is that, inevitably, listing them creates the implication of some sort of order. Like, even if I say "in no particular order," whatever I list first will stick in a reader's mind as my top priority. If I say "police" first, you'll think that's at the top of my mind, for example. And now you probably already think it's police. It is not. And it's not like fixing one thing would make everything else fall into place. Well, with one possible exception: elections. But that's still not the foremost problem on my mind. Nor is education, nor space exploration, nor even the imminent threat of nuclear war. Not health care delivery (actual health care, now that I think of it, is one thing we do right—for those who can afford it). Not animal cruelty, not the environment, not climate change, not energy, not terrorism (domestic or otherwise), not gun violence. Even the problem of homelessness isn't the top issue for me; neither is inflation. Or the looming recession. Or living wages, or the existence of tipping, or lack of religious freedom. Racism (both systemic and personal), a general lack of affordable housing, Twitter, regressive drug laws (especially the continuing illegality of cannabis at the federal level), private prisons, infrastructure rot, drought, political corruption, and far more issues are certainly important, but again, I wouldn't put any of them at #1. No, the biggest issue needing reform right now is the severe lack of beer in my refrigerator. Fortunately, that one's easily solved, unlike these others, and I will do so later today. What? With enough beer, I can pretend that these other problems don't exist. Okay, now that I'm done, I'm going to Google the blind quote. Huh. Supreme Court term limits and related reforms. Just goes to show that, even when sober, I can't think of everything. |