%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |    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. ![Merit Badge in Quill Award
[Click For More Info]
Congratulations on winning Best Blog in the 2021 edition of [Link To Item #quills] !](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Quill_Award-1375927_6.gif) ![Merit Badge in Quill Award 2
[Click For More Info]
2022 Quill Award - Best Blog - [Link To Item #1196512] . Congratulations!!!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Quill_Award_2-1375927_6.gif) ![Merit Badge in 30DBC Winner
[Click For More Info]
Congratulations on winning the Jan. 2019 [Link To Item #30dbc] !!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-30DBC_Winner-2064535_14.gif) ![Merit Badge in Blogging
[Click For More Info]
Congratulations on winning an honorable mention for Best Blog at the 2018 Quill Awards for [Link To Item #1196512] . *^*Smile*^* This award was sponsored by the blogging consortium including [Link To Item #30dbc] , [Link To Item #blogcity] , [Link To Item #bcof] and [Link To Item #1953629] . For more details, see [Link To Item #quills] .](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/type-Blogging-2180.gif) ![Merit Badge in Highly Recommended
[Click For More Info]
I highly recommend your blog.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/Kudos-Highly_Recommended.gif) ![Merit Badge in Opinion
[Click For More Info]
For diving into the prompts for Journalistic Intentions- thanks for joining the fun!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Opinion-1150.gif) ![Merit Badge in High Five
[Click For More Info]
For your inventive entries in [Link To Item #2213121] ! Thanks for the great read!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/Kudos-High_Five.gif) ![Merit Badge in Enlightening
[Click For More Info]
For winning 3rd Place in [Link To Item #2213121] . Congratulations!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Enlightening.gif) ![Merit Badge in Quarks Bar
[Click For More Info]
For your awesome Klingon Bloodwine recipe from [Link to Book Entry #1016079] that deserves to be on the topmost shelf at Quark's.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Quarks_Bar-2046190_12.gif)       |
| "None of your business" is always an acceptable response to a nosy question. A growing share of childless adults in the U.S. don't expect to ever have children, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey. Some people gave specific reasons, like medical conditions or finances, but a lot of people said they just don't want to. And yet, almost no one ever asks "Why do/did you want children?" No one needs to give a reason for their life choices. If pressed, "I just (don't) want to" should more than suffice. If that's you, you might find yourself facing unwanted commentary or questions. Angela L. Harris can relate. She's child-free by choice, and she says people often question her choice or want to know all the details. What details? Kids are messy and chaotic and smelly, and a net drain on resources? Those are the details that matter. She says, first of all, to remember that you don't owe anyone an explanation: "If you don't feel like explaining, don't explain. Your life is your life." See? Even the psychologist agrees with me. Sometimes Harris' responses might be more sincere; other times, she opts for levity. "I think there's a playful and joking way in which you can respond," she says. Thing is, having kids, or not, is the actual definition of a major life choice. And yet, you don't get a lot of "Why did you buy that house?" or "Why didn't you choose a hybrid car?" with some slightly less major life choices. Any of those choices usually involve not just one, but a myriad of reasons, and sometimes entire pros and cons lists. There's rarely, if ever, just one reason why someone does something. I know I don't even get out of bed unless I can think of at least two reasons why I should. The article then presents a few of the questions, and her answers, in graphic meme form because that's the only way to get attention these days, except for short-attention-span vertical videos. Format notwithstanding, they're all good answers, even if they do present the questioners in a rather unflattering manner. Even nosy people are often well-meaning, and I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. Harris acknowledges that having this conversation with your parents or your partner can be difficult. She stresses waiting until you feel ready to have the discussion. Okay, sure, parents, I understand. But it seems to me that having this discussion with a potential partner as early as possible would be a good way to avoid wasting the time and energy of everyone involved. Back when I was still dating, I tried to determine pretty quickly if she had baby-rabies, and broke it off before either of us got involved in something we didn't want. If one partner wants seven kids and the other wants two, perhaps a compromise can be reached. But if one absolutely wants kids and the other definitely does not, well, there's no compromise there (unless you're one of those assholes who abandon your family). Your Turn: If you're child-free by choice, we'd love to hear how you respond to unsolicited questions and comments. Well, I won't be commenting to NPR, but that's one of the many reasons I have a blog. "Don't you want a little Waltz running around?" Oh, hell, no; I remember what I was like as a kid. "If you wait until you can afford them, you never will." And? "Who will take care of you when you're old?" Bringing another life into a dying world just so you can have free nursing later in life is the absolute pinnacle of selfishness. "What do you have against children?" Nothing (usually). As with dogs, I think they're just fine; I just don't want to own one. "Why don't you want kids?" Why do you? "When are you going to have kids?" When there's a shortage. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
