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Fractal of the Day
by Jim Muth
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Fractal visionaries and enthusiasts: I was doing a bit of casual exploring in the fourth dimension yesterday, when I suddenly saw on the screen the face of Thomas, one of the fractal cats, peering out at me. It immediately reminded me of the way Thomas actually peers from the bushes before coming into the open to check that everything is in order and no danger is about. The name "Fractal Thomas" came to mind almost at once. The actual scene is a view of the Seahorse Valley of a tiny midget deep in East Valley of the large midget on the main stem of the classic Mandelbrot set. Yes, I realize that it looks nothing at all like either a Seahorse Valley or an East Valley. This is because the image is oriented in one of the oblique directions through the four-dimensional Julibrot. The resemblance to one of the fractal cats is striking enough, but I have seen such images many times, and could rate today's image no higher than an average 5. This is not to say that Thomas is an average cat. Quite the contrary. He is tied with Tippy for number one cat in the world. It is just that today's representation of him does not do him justice. Only a real photograph could do that, and even then it would be difficult to capture his full personality. Speaking of photographs, I still am planning on getting a brand-new digital electronic camera to replace my old film-loaded Pentax that stopped working sometime during the 15 or so years that have passed since I found fractals and stopped using it. The fractal cats will not be around forever, and I would like to have some pictures of them before they go where good cats go. Taking their pictures seems such a simple thing, and there appears to be so much time in which to do it, that I never get motivated to go out shopping for a digital camera. This is curious, for I really enjoy photography. At one time I was an avid photographer who did my own black-and-white as well as color darkroom work. I was most interested in infrared and ultraviolet photography, which showed the familiar everyday surroundings in a new light. Using infrared film, I even caught some pictures of the things that ghost hunters now call orbs -- moving balls of light that are sometimes photographed in locations said to be haunted by ghosts. At the time I thought the spots on the film were flaws in the film or specks of dust floating very near the lens. I am far from convinced that I caught glimpses of an unknown energy on film, but I have never understood why such spots appeared only in the infrared photographs and on so many different batches and brands of infrared film. Well, I see that we are again wandering from the topic, which is fractals and not photographic oddities, so it's time to remind everyone that seven minutes may be saved if today's fractal is downloaded from the FOTD web site at: Friday brought little sun, but the temperature reached 46F 8C, which was just into the comfort range of the dynamic cats. They spent several hours in the yard, peeping from the bushes much as we see Thomas doing in today's image. When evening arrived, they came indoors ready to settle down without complaint. I gave them their regular treat of tuna to be sure they didn't complain. Today is starting warmer with full sun. The duo should have another fine day. For me, the work is mostly caught up. A few minor chores remain, but they can be done in less than an hour. Then it will be time for fractals and philosophy. The next fractal will appear in 24 hours; the next chapter of philosophy will take a day or two longer. Until tomorrow's FOTD, take care, and isn't it wonderful. Jim Muth jamth@mindspring.com jimmuth@aol.com |
START PARAMETER FILE=======================================
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frm:multirot-XZ-YW-new {; Jim Muth
; 0,0=para, 90,0=obl, 0,90=elip, 90,90=rect
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END PARAMETER FILE=========================================
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