Author: stangrigsby

Pi

A project I am working led me to the calculation of π. The history of the calculation of π is an interesting journey. It started at least as far back as with Pythagoras of Samos(570-495BC). His work was fundamental to Archimedes of Syracuse(287-212BC) work with which I am starting.

This journey (aka rabbit hole) started with the Monte Carlo method of calculating π . The connections between early mathematicians and computer simulations are interesting. As I revisit this, I am sure I didn’t really understand this when I was introduced to it decades ago.

While teaching, one important insight I gained was the view of math held by my students. They saw math as a problem, not as a tool. In retrospect, I think this view was not far from my own as I struggled with the interdependence of math and physics. I was curious, but didn’t fully appreciate the tools with which I worked.

The point of this post is, I think our education system fails to present math as a fascinating subject with more intrigue than an online computer game. Mathematics is the language of science. Reading for comprehension is a critical skill which appears to be weak in many students. Reading math for comprehension is even less well developed.

The interested reader could start at https://mathscholar.org/2019/02/simple-proofs-archimedes-calculation-of-pi/

my thoughts NaNoWriMo 2022

NaNoWriMo 2022

National Novel Writing Month, write a novel in a month; or perhaps finish one started. For years I have talked about writing. I have started a number of stories. Like many things, I haven’t finished one yet. This program has been around for a while, but I discovered it last year. Last year I started a piece; and another piece, and so on. But, none really went far. So, here I am again. The organization, NaNoWriMo, was developed to encourage and support folks like me and November is designated as the month to write, or finish, that story. The goal is to write a 50,000 word story in November; a daunting goal. That is 1667 words per day or 417 words per hour for 4 hours every day.

I have started science fiction stories and some non-fiction. So if I take those as starts, I am OK; for today. Today is the day to pick one.

Are you interested? Contact me and we can encourage each other’s progress.

education

Future

I have engaged a few folks in conversation regarding where technology is taking society. Many express concern regarding the role of humans in an Artificial Intelligence empowered Robotic world. Where do we fit? Eight years ago Bret Victor gave a presentation that addresses this in a broad sense.

I think it is important we consider this. As was discussed in the presentation above, technology will move on. The evolution of technology cares little about humans. It is important for humans to evolve as well. Here is an example from 2019. This seems to be an application that increases human productivity. What do you think?

A question I have asked is, “where does this fit in our education process?” The internet, or perhaps more accurately, the “web“, provides many answers. A term I think is important here is explorable explanation. I think that is important because the web contains “all human knowledge” and unfortunately, “all human misinformation.” I wonder if the term critical thinking as applied in university education addresses discernment in the web environment.

education my thoughts

Ignorance

The more I read, the more I become aware of how little I know. I am convinced now that one must be quite well read just to be ignorant.

I was reading about simulation in “Simulacra and Simulation” by Jean Baudrillard. And in my half awake state that often accompanies my reading the words, ‘verisimilitude’ and ‘temerity’ came to mind. Verisimilitude, the appearance or semblance of truth, genuineness or authenticity. Temerity, reckless boldness, rashness. Why did that come to mind after reading about simulacra; a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness. My reading is about simulation. For my purposes, the definition is,”the representation of the behavior or characteristics of one system through the use of another system, especially a computer program designed for the purpose.”

I think there is a tendency to believe the description of something is that something. Another favorite quote is, “The map is not the territory.” As I learn more, I come to realize that shedding ignorance is a never ending process. Ignorance is not a problem. Choosing to stay there and accept but the appearance of truth; that is sad. Being bold and reckless in one’s ignorance is dangerous.

environment Porch Ponders

Bird Migration

It appears our hummingbirds have departed for warmer climes. The hummingbird migration is a fascinating story. I did notice our hummingbirds were spending a lot of time at the feeders just before they disappeared. According to the information at Hummingbird.com they engage in a feeding frenzy to store energy for the trip. We have enjoyed our humming birds and look forward to their return in the spring. One thing I find interesting is that they seem to return to feeders after this migration. How do they find their way back?

For a general picture of bird migration visit the Migration Dashboard. Migration patterns of birds and even butterflies are amazing. I have found the Cornell Lab of Ornithology a good source of information about birds. I found them when I visited a bird feeder camera on explore.org.

Bird migration is an interesting subject to start your exploration of our environment. It is popular to talk about saving the environment. I submit it is important to understand the environment, before trying to ‘save it.’ Understanding starts with observation. Complex systems may behave in unexpected ways when prodded by ignorance; the earth’s environment an extremely complex system.

education my thoughts

Math is Fundamental

During my 5 year teaching experience it became clear to me that most students had little understanding of mathematics. I tried to explain to them the importance of understanding math as one of the languages of engineering and science. Well, actually that would carry into business and other fields. So, I suppose math should be considered an essential language of an educated person.

I recently read a book I had started years ago, but didn’t finish then. “The Number Devil, a mathematical adventure,” by Hans Magnus Enzensberger. It is written for the elementary student, but I think many could benefit from reading it. It is a fun read about numbers and their relationship to each other. I think it’s goal is to stimulate curiosity.

Porch Ponders

Now, about writing

For years I have talked about writing. I have read about writing. But this blog is the closest thing to writing I have done. I suppose its rather like my teaching experience. I talked and read about education, but until I finally had the opportunity laid out before me I didn’t take that step.

So, what about writing. They say,” write about what you know.” It’s clear to me many people know far more than I do about everything. What do I have to contribute. However, when I read, I find most books are someones version of something that has been said in many ways many times before. Therefore it seems adding my voice to those thousands of voices would not be so bad.

It seems to me a story contains at least two versions. The author has a view and the reader has a view. Sometimes, I think the written word takes on a character of its own which surprises the author and the readers. I’m not sure what that means, except from my reading of “Sophie’s World” in which the characters in the book had a life. Do we bring characters to life each time we read a book? Are we inadvertant world builders?

my thoughts

Authority

No statement should be believed because it is made by an authority. – Robert A. Heinlein

My experience teaching reminded me how much is believed because someone with certain credentials said it. Those credentials can be in the form of degrees, publications, movies, or sports. All seem to carry similar weight nowadays. Because of this, many of us think we know far more than we do. I ran across an article about a study done to ask that question. A list of words were given and the participant rated what they knew of the topic. Then a quiz was given on the topics. I will post that when I find it again.

Many have made observations regarding this.

Science … looks skeptically at all claims to knowledge, old and new. It teaches not blind obedience to those in authority but to vigorous debate, and in many respects that’s the secret of its success. – Carl Sagan

Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth. – Albert Einstein

And the list goes on of those who are held in high esteem and then who caution us not to take their word for it. If we look at the lives of these great thinkers, we see they value questions above answers. One of my favorites is Richard Feynman. From what I understand, he received much criticism for this comment.

“Science is the Belief in the Ignorance of the Experts”. He meant, and explained that “science – a.k.a. research – is in the making, belongs to the (unknown, yet to be discovered) future, while expertise is based on the past, with in-built obsolescence”. — Richard Feynman

my thoughts

Another on Reading

“Readers usually grossly underestimate their own importance. If a reader cannot create a book along with the writer, the book will never come to life. Creative involvement: that’s the difference between reading a book and watching TV.

In watching TV, we are passive – sponges; we do nothing. In reading we must become creators, Imagining the setting of the story, seeing the facial expressions, hearing the inflection of the voices. The author and the reader ‘know’ each other; they meet on the bridge of words.” — Madeleine L’Engle, “Walking on Water: Reflections on faith and Art”

I came across this as I was cleaning the garage of old papers and magazines I have been keeping for years. That has been a travel in time and the source of many stories to come.

I saw this in my students. They had problems creating ‘images’ in their minds. I have seen this in myself. In some stories I create vivid images of people and places. But, in other books it is difficult. This may be why math is very difficult; what does one envision. As math becomes more complex so do the mental images. If we don’t nurture this ability to visualize complex and abstract ideas it is difficult to grasp the concept. At least that is the case for me. I didn’t understand this when I was in school; at any level. In the past decade this has become clear and my teaching experience made it abundantly clear.

I use ‘mind mapping‘ in an attempt to visualize ideas. But, I think this is not enough.

“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” ― Mortimer J. Adler

my thoughts

Social Media

“If democracy is going to function as it should, the man-in-the-street is going to have to think better.” Robert Maynard Hutchins

Social media, a phenomena on a portal to all human knowledge, put to use exchanging pictures of puppies(or kittens) and arguing with people we don’t know …

… concerning subjects about which we know surprisingly little, considering we are using the portal to all human knowledge to carry on these inane dual monologues.

To think of social media as simply Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and similar popular sites is to limit and bias the idea of social media. If we go to my main starting point, Wikipedia; also a social media of sorts. Wikipedia defines social media as, “Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks.^[1][2] “. A key term in this definition is that of being interactive. Various social media allow ideas to develop quickly through online discussions. This of course can be good and bad. I am sure you have followed threads that degenerated into juvenile name-calling.

Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. John F. Kennedy

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