2015-06-28

Tau and equality

Periodically, on June 28th, I draw attention to Tau Day, a concept in math which helps "round" out learning angles and waves. Only two days ago on June 26th, another date worth remembering occured: the Supreme Court of the United States of America has "held that state recognition of same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the Fourteenth Amendment" [Wikipedia: "Obergefell v. Hodges"]. While I, personally, am unaffected by this decision, I do think it's an important advance in equality in the USA and I'm glad this country has chosen to see the LGBT community as I always have: equal and able to pursue what they love.



Coupled with this landmark court decision, I think we should recognize the mathematical unity of the circle of hands being joined around the United States of America these last few days. Earlier this year the "Ultimate [Half Tau] Day" (aka Pi Day) occurred and in my writing I drew attention again to how using Tau can help people understand circles, angles, and waves with ease.

Here's an entertaining overview of Tau by DNews:

URL: https://youtu.be/kmnogV9S7b8

Additionally, I invite you to watch the long version of the Tau Manifesto talk below or you can take a smaller slice of the pie by jumping back to the Half Tau article to watch the short version. Either way, let's remember the significance of June 26th as we move forward as a country and the significance of June 28th as we attempt new mathematical understanding. Through both politics and math we will find new ways to overcome obstacles and inequality both in human rights and in math education.


URL: http://youtu.be/H69YH5TnNXI

Read more about Tau here: http://www.tauday.com/

2015-06-03

Friendship and the adventure of life

Earlier this evening, I spent some time with a pair of long-time friends who will soon be off on a new adventure in life. Last year, when writing A chapter ends, the story continues, I said that "Life is nothing without the people in it, the experiences we have, and the relationships we form through each chapter."

With that perspective always in mind, it was easy not to spend my time saying goodbye to my friends with sadness. We looked ahead with eagerness on the opportunities we can create with eachother in the future and the memories we’ve shared together in our past.

The words of my character are shown right on the front page of my website:
Life is a journey through exciting challenges and breath-taking experiences. I try to embrace the fun and adventure of each day and strive not to take things too seriously.
There will be significant transitions in my life this month. So many chapters will be ending, but -- as I said in that article last Spring -- the story will continue. I welcome both the celebrations and the hardships which are ahead because each will bring value and enrichment to the adventure of life.

Yes, it will be painful to say goodbye to people who have meant so much to me. Yes, it will ache every time I'm reminded what was, but is no more. However, that pain and those aches will stand as monuments to adventures and people well-remembered.

We remember best the things we feel the most. My greatest adventures are the ones that I experienced with significance. Whether that significance comes from suffering, elation, or even repetition, those memories are truly felt when reflected upon. If there’s advice I can emphasize while I stand at the bow of my metaphorical ship, staring into the storm ahead, it’s this: Trust your instincts and skills. Respect and embrace your challenges. Love with all your heart. And, most of all, live. Really LIVE. Every moment of this life is your adventure.


Photo by Indy. The fedora after a unforgettably cold and challenging adventure.

2015-06-01

Review: Ready Player One

Ready Player OneReady Player One by Ernest Cline

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Last week I read a book that quickly became one of my favorite novels. Ernest Cline's Ready Player One was a thrilling journey of nostalgia mixed with imagination. Cline does a great job of weaving a story that draws the interest of every type of geek imaginable. Whether you're a fan of 80s trends, arcade games, fantasy stories, sci-fi TV, MMORPGs, dystopian futures, political activism, corporate intrigue, or simply the thrill of a treasure hunt, you'll enjoy this novel. I was glued to this book from start to finish.

Adding to my excitement about this story, I've come to understand that this entertaining novel will be made into a film [IMDB]. I sincerely hope that they'll acquire all the necessary intellectual property permissions to do this story justice. In the meantime, pick up a copy of Ernest Cline's novel and...
READY PLAYER ONE


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