The Loom of God
Tapestries of Mathematics and Mysticism
Published on 17. August 2010
288 pages
978-1-4027-7441-6 (ISBN)
Description
From the mysterious cult of Pythagoras to the awesome mechanics of Stonehenge to the "gargoyles" and fractals on today's computers, mathematics has always been a powerful, even divine force in the world. In a lively, intelligent synthesis of math, mysticism, and science fiction, Clifford Pickover explains the eternal magic of numbers. Taking a uniquely humorous approach, he appoints readers "Chief Historian" of an intergalactic museum and sends them, along with a quirky cast of characters, hurtling through the ages to explore how individuals used numbers for such purposes as predicting the end of the world, finding love, and winning wars.
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05/2009
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Content
- Intro
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Acknowledgments
- Contents
- Introduction
- Notes to the Paperback Edition
- 1: Are Numbers Gods?
- 2: The End of the World
- 3: Pentagonal Numbers
- 4: Doomsday: Friday, 13 November, A.D. 2026
- 5: 666,666, Gnomons, and Oblong Numbers
- 6: St. Augustine Numbers
- 7: Perfection
- 8: Turks and Christians
- 9: The Ars Magna of Ramon Lull
- 10: Death Stars, a Prelude to August 21, 2126
- 11: Stonehenge
- 12: Urantia and 5,342,482,337,666
- 13: Fractals and God
- 14: Behold the Fractal Quipu
- 15: The Eye of God
- 16: Number Caves
- 17: Numerical Gargoyles
- 18: Astronomical Computers in Canchal de Mahoma
- 19: Kabala
- 20: Mathematical Proofs of God's Existence
- 21: Eschaton Now
- 22: Epilogue
- Postscript 1. Goedel's Mathematical Proof of the Existence of God
- Postscript 2. Mathematicians Who Were Religious
- Postscript 3. Some Mind-Boggling Terminology
- Author's Musings
- Smorgasbord for Computer Junkies
- Notes
- References
- About the Author
