3 ms·
The Fine-structure constant and the Golden ratio are two sides of the same coin
- gus_massa 4y agoThis is just a collection of approximated numerical coincidences. We know enough digits of pi and phi and sy, and enough experimental digits of alpha to e sure that in spite the proposed formulas give impressive similar results, they are not exact. xkcd has a pot with a lot of similar numerical approximate coincidences https://xkcd.com/1047/ https://xkcd.com/1047/ My favorite is sin(60°)=e/pi, that is a simple mix of important constants, so it's looks plausible. It is a good prank to tell a mathematician because they can cheek in a calculator and get a number that starts with the same digits a mathematician remember...
- pyinstallwoes 4y agoNumerical coincidences are also geometric in nature, ratios or musical intervals, etc. Do you really find such dismissive thoughts as useful towards expanding boundaries of knowledge? Just think about all the people in history, famous, smart ones too, who've said things in the absolute sense.
- al2o3cr 4y agoJust think of all the people in history, famous, smart ones too, who've said absolutely stupid things because they confused a numerical coincidence for something profound.
- pyinstallwoes 4y agoI rather be stupid and foolish than rigid and closed-minded. One is worthy of exploring life, the other is closer to death. We all have our preferences for novelty I guess; I prefer not thinking in absolute terms as the only thing that is absolute is change itself. Let paradox be paradox.