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. |
Another one from "JAFBG" [XGC]... Tell us something about yourself that you've had to learn to accept as just part of who you are. At this point? Pretty much everything. Laziness, lack of ambition, a biphasic sleep cycle, refusing to live with dogs, bachelorhood, an alcohol-positive lifestyle, generic apathy, collector tendencies, less-than-perfect health -- and, above all, the conscious decision not to change any of these attributes or many others. Accepting these things about myself was liberating. No more New Years Resolutions to fail. No more disappointment when yet another attempt at self-improvement makes me frustrated, resentful, or depressed. No wasted energy trying to pretend to be something I'm not. Yes, that was the easy part, accepting myself for who I am. It's a lot easier than working to change something, and like I said, I'm lazy. Unfortunately, other people tend to have issues with some or all of these qualities, so another thing I've had to accept is that many people will never show me the same level of acceptance. The telltale is they'll start a sentence with things like "Maybe you should..." or "Have you thought about..." or "I really wish you'd..." But even that has a positive side: fewer social obligations gives me more time to sleep and play video games. Contentment begins when you can safely tell other people to fuck right off. Sure, there are still a few things I'd like to improve, but I don't give any of them a lot of energy. Sometimes, though, the pain of being a certain way outweighs the pain of potential change, and something will shift. Fortunately, that happens less and less the older I get. It's like... I don't really want to change, and I don't really want to want to change, nor do I want to want to want to change, but occasionally I'll get a passing thought that maybe I should want to want to want to want to change, but that's as far as it goes. I'm not saying I like who I am, mind you. Just that I'd like the process of change even less. |