I was never very good at Calculus. I think it was because of the abstract nature of it. After all, it is, as I understand it, the study of change. I was quite good at Geometry, shapes and fixed object, the transitive and associative properties of math. I loved that. Because I was stubborn and I felt for some reason that it was really important to learn Calculus, I took three separate courses on it over the years. And, to be honest, I never really got it. Still don't. Fortunately, it doesn't come up a lot...
And so perhaps just to torture myself I've decided to include a chapter about Calculus in my book. My main character needed to learn something old and I thought about an ancient language, but I changed my mind and I decided on Calculus. It actually works perfectly with some of the main themes of the book. I just have to make it believable. Once again, Isaac Newton figured it out. It allows for the understanding of relativity, infinity, the law of motion, etc... Before that, there was no mathematical representation of these principles. I think it's about time to find a good biography on Newton. Maybe if I don't ever quite get the concepts of Calculus, at least I can understand more about the man who created it.
This morning at field day today, I spoke with my son's teacher for a long time about how she was learning ancient, Biblical Greek as a means of becoming an Episcopal minister. This is her last year teaching. After that, she will find a job as an Episcopal priest and move there, wherever that place is. Her life has already had a very high rate of change up to this point, a very interesting story that I don't have time to get into, she's already had some very major life transitions, etc... Now, she plans on moving to this new place alone, leaving her high school kids here with her partner. She said her calling to this work was that strong for her. Wow. That is some major life Calculus. You wouldn't guess it from looking at her, but she is so unafraid of change... People's choices and life stories never cease to amaze me. I wish Calculus came as easily for me.
And so perhaps just to torture myself I've decided to include a chapter about Calculus in my book. My main character needed to learn something old and I thought about an ancient language, but I changed my mind and I decided on Calculus. It actually works perfectly with some of the main themes of the book. I just have to make it believable. Once again, Isaac Newton figured it out. It allows for the understanding of relativity, infinity, the law of motion, etc... Before that, there was no mathematical representation of these principles. I think it's about time to find a good biography on Newton. Maybe if I don't ever quite get the concepts of Calculus, at least I can understand more about the man who created it.
This morning at field day today, I spoke with my son's teacher for a long time about how she was learning ancient, Biblical Greek as a means of becoming an Episcopal minister. This is her last year teaching. After that, she will find a job as an Episcopal priest and move there, wherever that place is. Her life has already had a very high rate of change up to this point, a very interesting story that I don't have time to get into, she's already had some very major life transitions, etc... Now, she plans on moving to this new place alone, leaving her high school kids here with her partner. She said her calling to this work was that strong for her. Wow. That is some major life Calculus. You wouldn't guess it from looking at her, but she is so unafraid of change... People's choices and life stories never cease to amaze me. I wish Calculus came as easily for me.
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