Recursions in the Sky
The most fascinating concept in computer science has to be recursion. Even when it’s not its pure form, recursion is just a beautiful concept:
A programming technique in which a program or routine calls itself to perform successive steps in an operation, with each step using the output of the preceding step.
It might not be the most efficient or the fastest way to do things, but it’s just damn cool. Some cool uses for them are quines, computing Fibonacci numbers and fractals.
Fractals and Fibonnaci numbers, along with the golden ratio, can be found in numerous places in nature. Tree branches and roots grow in a vary fractal nature. The spiral of a sea shell is dominated by the golden ratio. If you look closesly, recursive properties are found all over the universe.
I’ve known this link between recursion and nature for a while but this past summer, a co-worker at Grooveshark, Chris, and I have had many discussions about math and science. He revealed to me an idea of his that the universe is made of many self-similar structures: sub-atomic particles, atoms, solar systems, galaxies and even the mega structures of the universe. His goal is to describe the basic laws of physics using a fractal model. While this idea seems really crazy, I really like it because fractals have shown that very simple equations can describe very complex behavior (see Chaos theory).
A while back, I read an article describing evidence that the universe appears to be fractal at certain scales. Currently, there is no theory to describe why this occurs and due to the limitations of modern technology, scientists cannot prove this observation at larger scales. Despite these limitations, I really do believe there might be something “fractal” behind the basic structures of the universe. Here’s a really uncanny picture proving this point. While there are many theories trying to bridge the gap between quantum theory and relativity, only string theory and its variations have come close. While I wait for Chris to finish his fractal model of physics, here’s some cool recursive and fractal music to check out:
Hey Chanel,
Found your blog through Grooveshark. You should DEFINITELY read the book “Gödel, Escher, Bach” if you like recursion. It’s a dense and incredible journey through recursion in mathematics, music, and illustration, everything in between, and how it all links together. I have a feeling you’ll love it!
Thanks Ben,
I’ve read most of the book and absolutely love it.
The Bach is great! Thanks buddy, and as far as that fractal theory is concerned, can fractals simulate consciousness? Because that’s what it comes down to! IMHP
its not technically fractal, but jeff hawkin’s theory on “hierarchical temporal memory” reminds me of it:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2500845581503718756&ei=-xg4S4WiLNf9lQfCu71z
Hi Chanel,
I’ve been trying really really hard to apply the Grooveshark song widget into my WordPress.com blog and could not get it to work… is there any way you could give me some tips or help me out??!!
I’ve tried to copy and paste the code into html box and access it through the grooveshark widget page, but after entering my wordpress username, password, and blog url, it just kept loading and still couldn’t link to the posting… it just keeps saying “Oops…
Well this is just taking way too long. Refresh the page and see if that helps.” and so now I’m desperate!
Please help if you can!!! You can reach me at amaniparadise@gmail.com.
Thank you so much in advance!
Kit