You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
So, today happens to be the 20th Anniversary of my Existential CrisisTM. I'm not sure what to do to mark this, so I'm just gonna post an appropriate song.
So, today happens to be the 20th Anniversary of my Existential CrisisTM. I'm not sure what to do to mark this, so I'm just gonna post an appropriate song.
The [second] argument was called “Achilles,” accordingly, from the fact that Achilles was taken [as a character] in it, and the argument says that it is impossible for him to overtake the tortoise when pursuing it. For in fact it is necessary that what is to overtake [something], before overtaking [it], first reach the limit from which what is fleeing set forth. In [the time in] which what is pursuing arrives at this, what is fleeing will advance a certain interval, even if it is less than that which what is pursuing advanced … . And in the time again in which what is pursuing will traverse this [interval] which what is fleeing advanced, in this time again what is fleeing will traverse some amount … . And thus in every time in which what is pursuing will traverse the [interval] which what is fleeing, being slower, has already advanced, what is fleeing will also advance some amount.
I couldn't seem to get into Flann O'Brien's At Swim-Two-Birds,but I'm not sure how obscure that really is. I liked his The Third Policeman a lot more...
I'm not sure how obscure Surreal Numbers is, either.
I don't think it's a bad book. It's more interesting as a demonstration of how a new mathematical system might be developed than for the surreal number system itself.
Although people need to stop calling it a novella. It's a novella-length philosophical dialogue; the occasional fantasy and romance elements are entirely superficial and pretty pointless.
well, it might be somewhat on my end, since i pretty much can't stand philosophical dialogues. i might also be biased as a mathematical reader since i'm pretty used to how mathematical concepts are developed (not a shitload of random lemmas)
also i don't think it's bad, anonus asked for mediocrity. the other two aren't bad either. spirits in the wires just struck me as the most aggressively paint-my-numbers novel i had ever read, but i still read the whole thing so it's not like it's completely meritless.
i figured it's obscure because i mentioned surreal numbers (i.e. the concept not the book) in a fairly mathy IRC channel and a few people asked what i was talking about, and by extrapolation even more people in the general public aren't going to have heard of it.
anyway i looked up some amazon reviews to see what the masses think
First of all, a word of advice for the future readers of this book. Do not read it for its story. From the literary point of view, it's bad. Perhaps the only type of reader that will benefit or enjoy this book is the mathematical one.[...]In conclusion, this book is a book about advanced mathematics written in a funny style. Do not expect the story to be good in a literary sense.
that's from a five star review, and then
I really like math, but I was left utterly uninspired to fill in the gaps. In the author's defense, he does recommend this text be used as a supplement to another text or class. As such, you might find reason to attempt to complete the ideas, but most of the motivation would have to come from the instructor, as the book just does not make you care. Essentially, his goal would have been more easily reached-and probably bettered-if he forsake this confused dialogue for simply the following: "Here are the axioms for the surreal numbers:... Have fun!"
from a two star review
and i agree with the former and strongly disagree with the latter (well, the last sentence certainly) even though i'd probably give it 3/5
I found it quite intriguing, but I kind of raced through it because at the time I was busy with other things. I should revisit it once I'm done with resits.
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
You are the end result of a “would you push the button” prompt where the prompt was “you have unlimited godlike powers but you appear to all and sundry to be an impetuous child” – Zero, 2022
There's a statue of Patchouli Knowledge outside the entrance
Comments
CARAMELLDANSEN
The universe has already one-upped anything I could do anyway.
Still, I feel basically ok.
maybe I'll add one
I couldn't seem to get into Flann O'Brien's At Swim-Two-Birds, but I'm not sure how obscure that really is. I liked his The Third Policeman a lot more...
it is difficult to remember them because they are obscure. these are just ones i have right in front of me
I must say, I thought it was rather glorious.
maybe I will someday
I don't think it's a bad book. It's more interesting as a demonstration of how a new mathematical system might be developed than for the surreal number system itself.
Although people need to stop calling it a novella. It's a novella-length philosophical dialogue; the occasional fantasy and romance elements are entirely superficial and pretty pointless.
also i don't think it's bad, anonus asked for mediocrity. the other two aren't bad either. spirits in the wires just struck me as the most aggressively paint-my-numbers novel i had ever read, but i still read the whole thing so it's not like it's completely meritless.
i figured it's obscure because i mentioned surreal numbers (i.e. the concept not the book) in a fairly mathy IRC channel and a few people asked what i was talking about, and by extrapolation even more people in the general public aren't going to have heard of it.
anyway i looked up some amazon reviews to see what the masses think that's from a five star review, and then from a two star review
and i agree with the former and strongly disagree with the latter (well, the last sentence certainly) even though i'd probably give it 3/5
so like shrug??
...near the royal barn, perhaps?
It's very 70s-looking
om nom nom