I love fractals. They were a revelation to me when I first learned about them, as I imagine it was for science to learn there really are patterns in nature. “Mandelbrot’s reality has shapes undreamed of by Euclid, and surprises that ridicule the idea of order…clouds, coastlines, tree branches, commodity prices, word frequencies, turbulence in fluids, stars in the sky, a reputation, fame, the passage of history itself… - all are fractal shapes.” (Morrow, Lance. ESSAY: Let Us Recuse Ourselves Awhile. (Time, 03-05-1990), p. 72.)
In my book I suggest awareness of fractals might help spark the consciousness necessary to create a world outside of what are now considered to be our boundaries. Some researchers believe ancient civilizations were processing fractals long ago, evidence of which is found in ancient carvings and artwork. I always thought the Mandelbrot fractal resembled a sitting Buddha on its side. I believe fractals may be a much larger part of our subconscious than we realize; somehow they provide a link, or a bridge, to a larger universe; a Greater Reality - the Tao. In my own spirit I see them as a way the Tao reaches out to us and says, I Am.
For whatever reason fractals fascinate and inspire me. If you’re into them check out Ultra Fractal 4, which a friend turned me onto recently. I’m looking forward to tackling it myself and making some fun designs. I did this one a few years ago with an older program.


This is the super-fractal vegetable, Romanesco broccoli (photo courtesy of Jon Sullivan).

Mandelbrot set.
Tags: ancient, Tao, consciousness, fractals, Mandelbrot, alternative by Angela
3 Comments »