Showing posts with label public domain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public domain. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
Évariste Galois - Proving Mathematically That You Can Be Dead By 21
Chances are Galois is one of the most amazing people you have never heard of. The early 19 th century French mathematician led a short but substantial life. By the age of 20 he had surpassed such famous mathematicians as Legendre and Fourier in terms of ingenuity in the field, and his work still forms the foundation of modern abstract algebra.
However, by the age of 21, he was dead. He died in a duel, possibly over a lover. It begs the question, if Galois was so smart, why did he challenge his killer to a duel? Why wouldn't he just use his mental prowess to commit murder in some undetectable way? Is this a case for book vs. street smarts?
We could point to many people today who attempt to kill others (and succeed) without putting their lives in jeopardy. Undoubtedly, the majority of these people could not evaluate a permutation let alone be the first to conceptualize a new field of mathematics from it. They do, however, manage to stay alive.
Did Galois simply lack street smarts?
Or, perhaps, honor is simply on the decline?
(Note: This post was penned by my good friend, The Loble. If we are lucky, this won't be the last.)
However, by the age of 21, he was dead. He died in a duel, possibly over a lover. It begs the question, if Galois was so smart, why did he challenge his killer to a duel? Why wouldn't he just use his mental prowess to commit murder in some undetectable way? Is this a case for book vs. street smarts?
We could point to many people today who attempt to kill others (and succeed) without putting their lives in jeopardy. Undoubtedly, the majority of these people could not evaluate a permutation let alone be the first to conceptualize a new field of mathematics from it. They do, however, manage to stay alive.
Did Galois simply lack street smarts?
Or, perhaps, honor is simply on the decline?
(Note: This post was penned by my good friend, The Loble. If we are lucky, this won't be the last.)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Creepy Argentinian Monster
Louis Feuillée (1660-1732) scientifically described many South American plants for the first time. He also described a monster born of a ewe that he was permitted to see in Buenos Aires:
The monster which is shown in the figure appeared in Buenos Aires on August 26. The contrast of three resemblances which it had, that of a child, a horse, and a calf, surprised all who saw it. I asked the person who showed it to me if I could examine it in order to describe it faithfully, but he never allowed me to do this. I examined it from quite close and drew its principal traits without his noticing. As soon as I returned to my room, having all the information about the monster vividly in my memory, it furnished what was missing from the drawing. I completed it and represented it in its natural color.
"A Monster Born of a Ewe". In: "Journal des Observations Physiques, Mathematiques et Botaniques ...." by Louis Feuillee, 1660-1732. Published in 1714. P. 242. Library Call Number Q115 .F43 1714.
Information from Wikipedia, and the photo is from the NOAA Photo Archives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
