http://bit-player.org/2006/san-antonio-still-more-talks An amateur's outlook on computation and mathematics. Thu, 17 May 2012 08:38:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://bit-player.org/2006/san-antonio-still-more-talks#comment-92 Scott Olsen, Ph.D. Fri, 14 Apr 2006 01:40:51 +0000 http://bit-player.org/?p=15#comment-92 Very poignant remarks re: The Shapes of Sacred Space, by Christopher Powell. Honest in all respects, and raises the right questions. However, what one must realize is that the analysis of nature, both for perceptive ancient observers, as well as moderns, is that she [it] tends to work with whole number approximations to the golden mean, root 3, etc. It is so obvious when you examine the phyllotaxis and see Fibonacci numbers and Lucas numbers. Take a look at the ideal divergence angle of roughly 137.5 degrees. This does not in any way detract from the fact that the unique properties of the golden mean (simultaneously additive and multiplicative), and the derivative roots, are driving the process through utter economy and simplicity. When modern critics say that 8:5 or 5:3 is not the golden mean, they have completely missed the boat. These are nature's way of expressing this fundamental simplicity. And man's discovery of it, and application of it, tends to take the same form. Thank you for posing the relevant issue. And at the same time being sensitive to the significance that modern remnants of the Maya are employing the same geometric principles in their constructions. [I am doing a book on the golden section for the wooden books series (Walker in N.Y.), and would be happy to discuss this further with you]. Very poignant remarks re: The Shapes of Sacred Space, by Christopher Powell. Honest in all respects, and raises the right questions. However, what one must realize is that the analysis of nature, both for perceptive ancient observers, as well as moderns, is that she [it] tends to work with whole number approximations to the golden mean, root 3, etc. It is so obvious when you examine the phyllotaxis and see Fibonacci numbers and Lucas numbers. Take a look at the ideal divergence angle of roughly 137.5 degrees. This does not in any way detract from the fact that the unique properties of the golden mean (simultaneously additive and multiplicative), and the derivative roots, are driving the process through utter economy and simplicity. When modern critics say that 8:5 or 5:3 is not the golden mean, they have completely missed the boat. These are nature’s way of expressing this fundamental simplicity. And man’s discovery of it, and application of it, tends to take the same form. Thank you for posing the relevant issue. And at the same time being sensitive to the significance that modern remnants of the Maya are employing the same geometric principles in their constructions. [I am doing a book on the golden section for the wooden books series (Walker in N.Y.), and would be happy to discuss this further with you].

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