|
From the notes of Guthrie Carroll:
 Mathematics.  The mathematics of chain letters are supposed to be simple. Go tell five friends, and they'll tell five friends, and so on. In my inbox, 2 letters appear.
 Yet chain letters fail: many people don't have five friends, some have no friends who have not already received the letter, and most consider the letter not worth reproducing.  Factors (a) and (b) are statistically calculable, but factor (c) is difficult. Term it "the urgency factor." In my inbox, 4 letters.
 I am not a good enough mathematician to determine the numbers behind the urgency factor... but empirical evidence suggests that this message has it. In my inbox, 37 letters.
 Hours have passed, and a rhythm to the letters has emerged, a rhythm increasing in tempo.  I am witnessing a complex variation on the exponential sum, brought to life by minds like mine, who prefer to dream in science.  This may be how the religious feel, as they kneel in their geometrically-balanced temples. |
 Previous |
 Home |
 Chapters |
 Next |