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. |
Today is the day when I dig into the archives for a past post and talk about what's changed—in me or in the world. Unfortunately, what's changed in this case is that both of the links I shared are now broken: "Took the train down to Athens" , from 14 years ago. On one talon, it should be no surprise that 14-year-old links are broken. On the other talon, they were from The Daily Mash (kind of the British version of The Onion, still in existence) and Cracked (which, though it's gone through its own changes, I continue to read and, on occasion, share). Everyone knows that Greece's economy has taken a turn for the worse, right? I reiterate: this was 2010. Lots of economies had already tanked. Some had even begun to recover. (There followed a movie reference that was probably a lame attempt at a joke even way back then.) But it's the next-to-last paragraph that had me rolling on the floor laughing my acronyms off. And sadly, whatever that funny bit was is probably lost in the mists of time. Someone might be able to find it by searching the internet archives. But that someone will not be me. The world has moved on since then, and there are more relevant jokes around. Besides, I just can't be arsed. Bonus link is from Cracked: Back then, that site ran Photoshop contests that schlubs like us (not me, though, because I suck at photo editing). This was apparently one of them. Incidentally, The Daily Mash was paywalled last time I tried to look at it (it's been a while). They're funny, but not funny enough for me to subscribe. The title of the post was, as with some of my other entry titles, a reference to a song. If you feel cheated by all the broken links, at least I can post the relevant music video, Euro-Trash Girl from Cracker, who I once had the pleasure of seeing in concert: Took the train down to Athens And I slept in a fountain Some Swiss junkie in Turin Ripped me off for my cash Yeah, I'll search the world over For my angel in black Yeah, I'll search the world over For a Euro-trash girl |