I wish I could say that my advancement in mathematics could be described with a geometric progression, but it is much more like the stodgy arithmetic progression than the soaring geometric. I am spending much time with these processes since the geometric progressions, and the limit of infinite geometric progressions, are one of the gateways to calculus.

My White Paul Klee book's problem sets are nicely set up to reinforce the teaching of the information pages. They lure me into a sense of confidence with lots of easy initial problems before introducing me to harder material later on. In general the White Book's problems are easier than the problems in the 1958 book, which must be evidence of the "dumbing down" of American education in the last decades of the twentieth century. Also, the White Book does not include the finding of arithmetic and geometric means, which may be useful so I will review it using 1958, where I learned it in the first place.

There are plenty of Big Sigs to sum up in the White Book's problem sets, as well as somewhat realistic word problems, complete with helpful graphs. Each problem is titled with its theme, so that they form mini-scenarios: "Depreciation," or "Population Increase," or "Investment Return." I also enjoy putting numbers into graphs, so that I can view the majestic curves of exponential and geometric functions. I am filled with respect for this fairly simple mathematics that can describe the multiplication of living things. I love Order wherever I find it, especially self-organizing Order. In a culture where chaos and wildness are hip and sexy, I stubbornly, and squarely, and un-hip-ly stand by my defense of the order of the world, including a fondness for housework and cleaning large numbers of small plastic objects (sign clips used in price tag displays at work). But that brings me back to the stodginess part. It will take me longer to get where I'm going, but I still intend to get there. Even if there is no "there" there (as Gertrude Stein said about Oakland, California) by the time I get there.

Breaking my Rule about Politics just once

It is part of my policy here at ELECTRON BLUE to have NO POLITICS. But on this day of history, where a contest even more important than the World Series will be decided, I need to simply say that I will be voting for Kerry and Edwards in this national election. I'm sure this is not a great surprise to anyone who reads this. I don't talk about politics on the Electron because there is nothing I could say that would be either more original or more insightful than the writings of the myriad of other bloggers. And I just don't know that much about civic affairs anyway. Quoting statistics or factoids doesn't convince me, and probably won't convince you either; they're too easily manipulated. But the events of the last few years, and the proliferation of violence, lies and religious fundamentalist anti-intellectualism, has roused even me to political concern.

I am sure that most, if not all of my handful of readers (at least those who are US citizens) will also be voting in the US election. Most likely they have their minds made up already. But just in case they don't, I hope they will vote for the Democratic candidates. Since my readers will probably have voted by the time they read this, I hope they did vote for Kerry and Edwards. It is going to be a long day, and possibly many long years as well.

Posted at 2:27 am | link