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. |
My dip into the past this morning takes me all the way back to January of 2022, when I was cold and disease raged across the land. So, not much different from today: "Plus Ça Change..." In it, I responded to a then-current prompt from "JAFBG" [XGC], which is still active and other bloggers should totally check out the active prompts. The prompt was: "Imagine the pandemic never happened. How do you think your life would be different now, if at all?" Most of us have forgotten all about it, apparently. ...okay, look, I'd like to say that the only thing that would be different is that I wouldn't have canceled my gym membership. But let's be real: I still would have canceled my gym membership. Eventually. Because I'm lazy. I still haven't re-enrolled. Laziness is my only excuse there. There was a long stretch, before everything went to hell, when I was going there every day. I can't say I miss it, only that I feel like I could benefit from going back. Before the pandemic, I was going out only rarely, ordering delivery groceries, and buying most of my shit from Amazon. Now, I go out only rarely, order delivery groceries, and buy most of my shit from Amazon. I just placed a grocery delivery order today, and I'm expecting a package from Amazon later. I thought about weaning myself off that site, but... nah. I will continue to wear this mask in public, regardless of what diseases may or may not be circulating. Yeah, I need to stop making promises. I probably would have traveled more, but even that would have led to me being, right now, sitting here at home wishing winter would end already because fuck, I've had it with winter. You know how stores keep stocking holiday items earlier and earlier every year? Well, "I've had it with winter" is now my default state, year-round. Hm. One thing that might be different. I might not be so completely, utterly done with approximately half of the population of the US. Even if that had been the case, I'd be completely and utterly done now. I might still have some tiny thread of hope for the future. Let's see... nope. All gone. |