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Complex Numbers
Complex Numbers
A complex number is expressed in the standard form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is defined by i^2 = -1 (that is, i is the square root of -1). For example, 3 + 2i is a complex number.
The bi term is often referred to as an imaginary number (though this may be misleading, as it is no more "imaginary" than the symbolic abstractions we know as the "real" numbers). Thus, every complex number has a real part, a, and an imaginary part, bi.
Complex numbers are often represented on a graph known as the "complex plane," where the horizontal axis represents the infinity of real numbers, and the vertical axis represents the infinity of imaginary numbers. Thus, each complex number has a unique representation on the complex plane: some closer to real; others, more imaginary. If a = b, the number is equal parts real and imaginary.
Very simple transformations applied to numbers in the complex plane can lead to fractal structures of enormous intricacy and astonishing beauty.
September 16, 2018 at 1:23am September 16, 2018 at 1:23am
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The first movie I recall seeing in theaters was Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
It's possible my parents took me to other movies before that. I don't remember, and I never asked them. But that one stuck in my mind, mostly because of the tunnel scene - that sort of thing clamps onto you when you're five years old. It's entirely possible that my entire psychological complex has its roots in that one scene. I was pumped when Thor:Ragnarok paid it homage.
Anyway, that never stopped Adult Me from liking the movie, after the usual teenage "that's kid stuff" crap. Even as a kid, I thought the moral lessons were a bit over the top, but there's enough depth to the movie as a whole for it to be worth revisiting. Plus, Gene Wilder was always awesome.
So my local theater - an Alamo Drafthouse, which if you're lucky enough to be in one of their markets you know what I'm talking about - is having a Wonka screening this Friday, complete with a couple of the actors from the movie showing up for a Q&A afterwards (the former kid actors, of course - pretty sure all the adults have gone to the great chocolate factory in the sky).
For the uninitiated, Alamo Drafthouse is just that - a drafthouse and a movie theater. It's adult-oriented (not in a tawdry way) and the theaters aren't usually stuffed with screaming kids, so watching something like, say, Incredibles 2 can be a pleasant experience. This particular screening allows kids 6 and up, which I find amusing because like I said, I was five when I first saw it in the theater.
Of course I'm going. Wouldn't miss the opportunity to get completely drunk and then watch the tunnel scene. Oh, sure, I could do it at home; I have it on DVD. But there's something to be said for watching it in a room full of other fans, on a big screen.
Now, let's get this out of the way: I never can bring up a movie that's been remade without someone commenting on the remake. I say Willy Wonka; they bring up Johnny Depp. I say Ghostbusters; they have to ask me if I liked Ghostbreasters
Yes, that's what I call it. I did like the remake, but that's irrelevant. |
. I mention the classic Total Recall, and someone has to mention the absolute crap remake of it. Point is, stop it. I get that they have to remake movies because money. Some of them are good. Some of them suck. But when I talk about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I do not want to hear about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. If I wanted to talk about the remake, I'd talk about the remake. So if that means I have to bring it up to forestall discussion of it, so be it. |
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