After questioning how easily we might create useful models of our environment the other day, I started to wonder if I could even mimic our planet with a fractal. I’ve played around with spherical fractals in the past, for instance, my Paper Ball and my Harvest Moon. As with most of my fractals, I could only come so close. These patterns, as with most fractals, are based on a "seed" number; a number chosen at random. So, after choosing an earth-like palette and setting up the basics, I started trying different seeds. Some produced worlds covered in oceans, others bare and rocky. Sometimes they had odd-shaped condiments continents (oops... see the comments for an explanation), or, as shown here, scattered archipelagos.
Simulated Fractal "Earth"
A part of me wanted to explore these alien worlds... but they were simply fractals. While based on complex variables, they didn’t have near the depth of complexity as the Earth. Still, as I toyed with the different settings, I couldn’t help notice how such intricate beauty was born out of chaos. Now, I could be speaking of the fractal, or of our planet. I’ll let you decide. In the meantime, here’s a fractal world, born of chaotic beginnings:
Fractals made by the author using ChaosPro.
- Log in to post comments
"Sometimes they had odd-shaped condiments, or, as shown here, scattered archipelagoes."
I hereby lay claim to the Lands of Mustard and Relish! ;)
Doh! I didn't even see that. I suppose that's what I get for trusting spellcheck before my first cup of coffee. Strangely, now I'm craving a cheeseburger.
Have you noticed that your last couple of posts have showed up as being authored by Dave Munger?
Strange, they look correct to me. I checked in a few different browsers. It sounds like there is some sort of database error that is misdisplaying for only some readers. Weird, and worth checking out. (I sort of like the idea of being able to suggest Dave was the one who typed "condiments" instead of "continents")
;)
hmmm strange i like this blog
I've started a climate change project called proxEarth.org. Many people have blogs, websites, and use social software sites (social networking, social bookmarking, photo and video sharing, etc.). Some standards for tags and text on blogs, websites, and social software sites could turn the whole global Internet into a kind of Web 2.0 participation platform for climate change. Iâm suggesting a few simple standards for tags and text that leverage processes of the sustainable ProxThink growth model. To get this going, we need people to adopt and use these standards. The project could also use contributors, collaborators, partners, funders and sponsors. To find out more, see:
ProxThink growth model. To get this going, we need people to adopt and use these standards. The project could also use contributors, collaborators, partners, funders and sponsors
Strange, they look correct to me. I checked in a few different browsers. It sounds like there is some sort of database error that is misdisplaying for only some readers. Weird, and worth checking out. (I sort of like the idea of being able to suggest Dave was the one who typed "condiments" instead of "continents")