Tuesday, October 26, 2010

NBA on the Internet

I'm so impressed with watching sports like this, and so glad it's streaming on the internet.




Monday, October 11, 2010

What an introduction

"My book will no doubt be flawed in many ways of which I am not yet aware, but there is one "sin" that I have intentionally committed, and for which I shall not repent: many of the arguments are not rigorous, at least as they stand. This is a serious crime if one believes that our mathematical theories are merely elaborate mental constructs, precariously hoisted aloft. Then rigour becomes the nerve-racking balancing act that prevents the entire structure from crashing down around us. But suppose one believes, as I do, that our mathematical theories are attempting to capture aspects of a robust Platonic world that is not of our making. I would then contend that an initial lack of rigour is a small price to pay if it allows the reader to see into this world more directly and pleasurably than would otherwise be possible."

- Tristan Needham, from the intro to Visual Complex Analysis

A great introduction that gives hope to a reader who picked up a book on an interesting topic, worried it might be a little over his head (namely, me)