On 2011-08-16, Roy Smith <[email protected]> wrote: > In article <[email protected]>, > Steven D'Aprano <[email protected]> wrote: >> I'm reminded of this quote from John Baez:
>> "The real numbers are the dependable breadwinner of the family, the complete >> ordered field we all rely on. The complex numbers are a slightly flashier >> but still respectable younger brother: not ordered, but algebraically >> complete. The quaternions, being noncommutative, are the eccentric cousin >> who is shunned at important family gatherings. But the octonions are the >> crazy old uncle nobody lets out of the attic: they are nonassociative." > Wow, at first glance, I mis-parsed that name as "Joan Baez". Had me > really confused for a moment. Would it have been that much weirder than Hedy Lamarr? -s -- Copyright 2011, all wrongs reversed. Peter Seebach / [email protected] http://www.seebs.net/log/ <-- lawsuits, religion, and funny pictures http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Game_(Scientology) <-- get educated! I am not speaking for my employer, although they do rent some of my opinions. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
