Fractals
The videotape "Fractals" was narrated by a
writer of science fiction,
R.C. Clark, who is the creator of 2001 Space
Odessy. Individuals interviewed,
experts on the subject included professor
Stuart, Dr. Michael Barnsley, Steven
Hawkins, author of A Brief History
in Time, and creator of the Mandelbrot set,
Dr. Benoit Mandlebrot. These
men introduced us to their insight of fractals,
provided people with much new
and fascinating information on this obscure topic,
and left the audience with
questioning minds. The scientists and experts
reporting on fractals gave
detailed descriptions of these images. They explained
that a fractal is based
on simple principles, rather than complicated
components, and it was not
discovered until the era of modern computers. A
fractal is an image comprised
of the equation Z z +c, which was formulated by
Dr. Mandlebrot. This
equation is defined by coordinates and positions on a plane
that locate a
spot. Fractals are images that are the same all over and their
changing
patterns can be magnified unlimited times. The patterns and bright
colors
change regularly and are very consistent. With continuous magnification,
a
baby Mandlebrot set can be found in every image. Fractals are fragmented;
they
are fractional images that we are surprisingly accustomed to. These
images can
be observed in objects we see every day, specifically in nature.
From the edges
and appearances of clouds, trees, rocks, ferns, and flowers,
the fine structure
and resemblence of fractals is obvious. Certain objects
are examples of the
entire fractal, including the Mandela, a religious
symbol, stained glass designs
in many church windows, the sculpture of
Buddha, paintings and the design of
blood vessels. It is understood that the
fractal can be perceived, but what
purpose does it serve? And this is what
the scientists are still researching,
the actual application of fractals.
Fractal dimensions are applied primarily
through data, making them a major
tool in descriptive science and engineering.
The military and NASA also
have a use for fractals, which compress data for less
difficult transmission
to satellites in space. Fractals make pictures of leaves
in collages and can
reconstruct colorful and precise details of a magnified
image. Other than
these examples, fractals are presently useless to the common
person. However,
experts will soon be developing new devices to utilize, but it
is practically
certain that it will take some time for them to really figure out
the
fractal.