Divine Proportions
David Halprin writes with a review of a new (and mighty odd sounding) mathematics book: "In my humble opinion, we have an unjustified polemic in the world of mathematics, yet again. My background is tertiary level mathematics
and concomitant research in specialised areas, so when a friend e-mailed
me the link to this book, I was so excited after reading the author's
hype, that I ordered a pre-publication copy. My expectations have not
been met, unfortunately, hence my analysis precipitated this review." Read on for Halprin's idiosyncractic take on Norman John Wildberger's Divine Proportions: Rational Trigonometry to Universal Geometry.
Divine Proportions - Rational Trigonometry to Universal Geometry
author
Norman John Wildberger
pages
300
publisher
Wild Egg Pty Ltd
rating
2
reviewer
David Halprin
ISBN
summary
Wilberger presents an ultimately disappointing vision of a new descriptive system for geometry.
There are various ways to approach Norman's so-called "Rational Trigonometry" and/or "Universal Geometry." I have examined it from various perspectives and it does not live up to Norman's claims, whichever standpoint, that I have taken.
DEFINITIONS
>I have to confess that I look upon his sojourn into Field Theory as a diversion in the same sense
>that a prestidigitator (magician), in his field of legerdemain (sleight of hand), distracts the
>audience members, thereby lessening their attention on what's really going on."
>
>yes, thanks for providing an explanation for your $10 college words, otherwise we plebs might not
>have understood you.
I couldn't have put it better myself.
-1 Scheisskopf (shit-head)