Morgan Owens wrote: <much snippage>
I agree completely, [that the science-religion conflict is off-topic on this list] so why do you keep [broaching the topic here] especially when you said you'd stop?
IMO, the non-problem lies not so much in the fact that I keep posting off-topic letters, but rather in the nature of fractals themselves, which invite and almost demand philosophical (and yes, mystical) speculation. This, in large part, is what makes fractals so fascinating to both skeptics and the less skeptical. Check the original FOTD for August 8, which started this thread. In that letter I mentioned the four-dimensional nature of the Julibrot, which I often mention, and pointed out that the world we live in has only three dimensions, with no place for a four-dimensional object. I mentioned nothing about religion or the philosophy of science. As I recall, someone else posted a justified and IMO on-topic reply speculating about the nature of numbers and mathematics, and the mini-debate progressed from there. I have no idea where or how the topic of the conflict between science and religion entered the discussion.
So I take it you waited a while so that people who might want to see your reply would've had time to subscribe before you posted it?
Most of the delay in my replies is due to the time difference between New Zealand and the east coast of the USA. And yes, I did post the notice to this list so that those who might want to see my reply would know where to find it. My message might even have resulted in a few additional subscribers to the under- manned philofractal list, where posting a letter is often like talking to oneself.
I have a suggestion. I'm suggesting it here 'cos it could impact on the other readers of this list. Start yourself a weblog. Then you can post whatever you like whenever you like...
I've been thinking of doing things like this for years. It's a nice idea, but I don't see how I could find the time. As a final remark, I wonder why no one ever complains about the really off-topic things I write, such as the weather report and activities of the cats. All the off-topic complaints seem to come when I connect fractals to metaphysical things such as spiritual reality, a connection which is only slightly if at all off-topic. To me, fractals are spiritual (non-material) realities and their existence lends credence to the claims of other spiritual realities, such as the claims of religion. I cannot honestly ignore the fact that fractals lead in this direction. Jim (still controversial) M.