Monday, March 2, 2009

Hunting the Hidden Dimension

You may not know it, but fractals, like the air you breathe, are all around you. Their irregular, repeating shapes are found in cloud formations and tree limbs, in stalks of broccoli and craggy mountain ranges, even in the rhythm of the human heart.




This film takes viewers on a fascinating quest with a group of maverick mathematicians determined to decipher the rules that govern fractal geometry. For centuries, fractal-like irregular shapes were considered beyond the boundaries of mathematical understanding. Now, mathematicians have finally begun mapping this uncharted territory.





Their remarkable findings are deepening our understanding of nature and stimulating a new wave of scientific, medical, and artistic innovation stretching from the ecology of the rain forest to fashion design. The documentary highlights a host of filmmakers, fashion designers, physicians, and researchers who are using fractal geometry to innovate and inspire.

Get this documentary on DVD today...

2 comments:

cinndave said...

Perhaps it's because I have Asperger syndrome, but I find this the most captivating learning experience I've ever seen (People on the autistic spectrum have a certain inability to filter out stimuli, and notice patterns that others don't). There's something about those visuals that I really love. There's so many patterns that are realized by fractal geometry. Sometimes you look at an intricate pattern, like frost on a window, and you can contemplate its beauty. You don't really know the mathematical pattern, but you still kinda sense it's there and makes you appreciate it. It's definitely pleasing to the human eye. The fact that this helped them build a better antenna suggests that this mathematical phenomena provides some insight into the mathematical nature of physics. Damn Interesting!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Thank you very much for posting this! Isn't Nova great? :)

I use fractals and recursive geometry a lot in my art.

I absolutely adore and am fascinated by fractal geometry and the truths it expresses. I would not be surprised if one day we come to think of it as the "common denominator" of reality, & the universe.