jgill

RIP, Agent Smith. Your enthusiasm and wit will be missed.

After reading the Wiki piece it seems to be more a decision theory problem, and that's how they classify it. On that same page there is the following ...

In fact, a large majority of mathematicians go their merry way, ignoring the incompleteness thing. Although it's in the background - like being struck...

Years ago when I was still somewhat active in the research community I published a paper on an unexplored topic. I proved a theorem, but with heavy hy...

Haley will be Trump's running mate. I know. Sad times for moderate Republicans. :sad:

Thanks Sleeping Beauty Problem

I'm lost here, too. :roll:

What's that?

This is an excellent point. Once a concept is defined within an existing framework of mathematics, in a sense all that logically flows from it is pote...

Wikipedia I can't see how this (a wave function) could be construed to be a physical reality, but some do. Perhaps my short-comings. :roll:

A vector space is a set of "objects" whose "dimension" is the cardinality of its basis. But this is linear algebra rather than purer set theory. You m...

Mathematically, a fractal (that is not finite) is generated by iterating a rather simple function in the complex plane an infinite number of times. So...

Physicists have coined words and expressions as conveniences as they work through the math, and we in the lay community have adopted them as if they r...

I can't get it to open. Sorry

Perhaps you could write it out so those of us not wishing to sit through a video could read it and reply.

As a math person (retired) sitting on the sidelines, I am beginning to appreciate the dialectics, the vitality of the practice. The thought of being w...

:rofl:

You might find the images in this entertaining: A Space of Semi-coupled Contour Integrals

I wasn't familiar with "fractal attractors", and found only this paper using that terminology. I suspect what you mean is "strange attractors", which ...

My perception of the nature of philosophy keeps changing.

The wisdom of the ancients simply turns a leaf and emerges in the now. Nice commentary, though the NYT paywall is annoying.

One of the reasons I stay on this forum is that I learn things about math. Fractals, for me mostly means fractal art. Fractal analysis of phenomena it...

The Four Color theorem was an interesting start in this direction. Some professionals still have doubts, while most reluctantly accept what the comput...

I don't think the universe is fractal, but I do think there are some rules. "Fractal" began as a mathematical notion that arises from simple iteration...

Yes, he is capable of doing a merry dance amongst the partygoers here. :cool:

Medieval scholasticism? :roll:

Is Arche more akin to "first causes" or axioms or postulates from which first causes might emanate?

We (mathematics) were mostly a service department, with courses we designed for liberal art majors, business majors, engineering tech majors, etc. We ...

You must have had a feeling of knowing what was in store. Or was it more than that? :smile:

And the distinction between "knowing" and the feeling of knowing. When I follow the proof of a theorem I know the theorem is true according to the rul...

Interesting link. It's not quite what I had in mind, but probably more reasonable. I had thought of a continuum between the world of ideas and the phy...

I'm so old I forget what I've watched. But some are Rake, Lillehammer, Luther, White Lotus, Veronica, True Detective, Fargo, Money Heist, You, Soprano...

I haven't been to a movie theater in at least ten years. With a big screen TV and HBO, Showtime, etc. plus Netflix there is an overabundance of entert...

And you did. My mistake. Yes, and in the quantum world those distinctions could be imperiled. The problem of actualization of potentia brings science ...

Maybe in English. And I'm sure you are correct. I suspect most of those things "said in depth" have relevance in philosophical circles rather than in ...

Consensus is vital to mathematics, but from what you say a hindrance to philosophy. When one argues about the reality of numbers, that is not an argum...

There's no debate, Wayfarer. Mathematical objects are quite real for me, though not like Lake Michigan is real. But I do think it's possible that the ...

So, you are saying there has been consensus about the reality of numbers and whether math is created or discovered? I'm not addressing other aspects o...

I agree. It is. On rare occasions in my career when the nature of the reality of numbers and math came up amongst a group of my colleagues invariably ...

Look to the future, not the past, pave the roads for all to achieve what they are capable of. I never complained about the idea of affirmative action,...

OK, I'm on board with that. :up: :smile:

Isn't that what you are talking about? The issue of the "reality" of mathematical objects. Over two millennia have passed with no consensus. When we s...

How large a coin would it take for you to squat down and pluck it from the ground? A nickle for me, a penny for my wife.

From your link: It may be ancient and unsolved, but that doesn't mean it holds the interests of those involved. What appeals to most mathematicians is...

Such a model would be interesting. I've played with dynamical systems in the complex plane for years, and have seen only one instance when a theorem I...

Your replies are always entertaining, and frequently thought provoking. Continuous mappings, in the context of QM, can mean the topological definition...

What are the "real" attributes of space?

Interesting. In my experiences in the Art of Dreaming (lucid dreaming) I become pure will.

Delightful! Thanks for a glimpse into the profession. :cool:

Lattice field theory avoids virtual particles, which are mathematical conveniences. I'm curious how you would express what you have said in the contex...