Limits

Today, my understanding of the mathematical concept of limits approached a new point. A limit, for the uninitiated, is concept from calculus where you think about a function and all it's possiblities as it "approaches" an assumed point. At least, that's the way I understand them thus far, there is probably more to it that just that.

But, as I was leaving my study session at the library, contemplating my homework, the uniqueness of consciousness crept into my thoughts, drifting between Miles Davis' notes in my ears. It seems to me that our minds are mostly a point of view. You are who you are because you have seen this set of experiences, and they impress on you a certain, unique perspective on the world. That's nothing new, I think John Locke wrote about the tabula rosa, but what I considered for a second--with Miles' crooning trumpet as I strolled in the sun--is that in a way we are like limits. We have all these possibilities, and as we approach our point of view, we discard the other possibilities, an approximate a useful solution that tells us more about our function, which in this case is our identity.

I felt good to be in the sun, with Miles, contemplating infinity and philosophy, I'm looking forward to this school year.

Happy Friday, all!