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. |
Yet another blast from the not-so-distant past today. Such is the randomness of random numbers. "Scare Tactics" is from the day before Halloween, 2021, so only about 15 months ago. It's commentary on a Cracked article that lists a few fearsome folkloric figures. In large part, I do these retrospectives to see if anything's changed since the original entry—not only with whatever information is discussed, but also my thoughts about it. Well, these monsters are from myth and legend, and those don't tend to change much in a year and a quarter. Unlike many entries, I actually remembered this one to some extent, because I like to learn about folklore from different cultures. Doesn't hurt that it's relatively recent. But that also means that I haven't changed my opinions, so there's not much to expand upon here. I didn't even see any embarrassing typos this time. I'm not saying there aren't any; only that I didn't see them. Of course, the source article is still there, too. Here's another link to it for your convenience. One thing that stands out to me is the "band name" trope I used. I'm sure some people find it tiresome, but to me, it's endlessly amusing to take interesting word combinations and come up with what kind of band it would be. In that entry, I said that "Slavic Female Demons" would be an excellent name for a hard metal Go-Gos cover band. I stand by that, incidentally. The Go-Gos were, if I recall correctly (I sometimes don't), the first popular group I saw live, back when they were big and I wasn't. It's not that I was a huge fan (though I totally had a crush on the drummer), but they just happened to have a concert at a nearby amusement park, and being able to visit said park on my own (well, with fellow teen friends and not parents) was a big deal to me at the time. That said, I'd totally go see a band named Slavic Female Demons. As long as there are no actual dziwozona involved. |