Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos: Discovering a New Aesthetic of Art, Science, and Nature

by John Briggs

Fractals are unique patterns left behind by the unpredictable movement-the chaos-of the world at work. The branching patterns of trees, the veins in a hand, water twisting out of a running tap-all are fractals. Learn to recognize them and the world will never look the same again. Fractals permeate our lives, appearing in places as tiny as the surface of a virus cell and as majestic as the Grand Canyon. From ancient tribal peoples to modern painters to Star Wars animators, artists have been captivated by fractals and have used them in their work. Fans of computer science and math whizzes are wild about fractals as well, for the interesting programming and math problems they present. In The Patterns of Chaos , science writer John Briggs uses over 170 illustrations to clearly explain the significance and beauty of fractals. He describes how fractals were discovered, how they are formed, and the unique properties different fractals share. Fractals is a breathtaking guided tour of a remarkable frontier in art, science, and nature. It will revolutionize the way you see the world and your place in it.

Genres: Science, Art, Nonfiction, Mathematics, Reference

194 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The butterfly effect, nonlinear functions Vs. Linear, turbulence, fractal art, chaos theory, strange attractors, juxtapositions, reflectaphors, and so many more intriguing topics were discussed in this book.

The ones I find most interesting are Hyperion’s strange, unpredictable orbit around Jupiter, which since the times of Newton has remained unexplained. Fractals in general can be used to explain so many aspects of reality. It is a great fortune to have computers capable of rendering and displaying these intricate formulas. It brings us one step closer to replicating the natural world. Self-similarity is very apparent on many scales on earth. Even the nebulous clouds in space are reminiscent of the clouds here on Earth. Atoms resemble solar systems, it is as if life is one big fractal.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Briggs takes us on a magical journey into the world of fractals and to the limits of the human imagination. A marvelous marriage of science, mathematics, nature, and art.

"In Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos, science writer John Briggs uses over 170 illustrations to clearly explain the significance -- and more importantly, the beauty -- of fractals. He describes how fractals were discovered, how they are formed, and the unique properties different fractals share. Fractals is a breathtaking guided tour of a brand new aesthetic of art, science, and nature. It will revolutionize the way you see the world and your place within it."

[Petra X · Rating 2 out of 5]

All pattern and colour and nothing behind it. I like very abstract art (being an artist myself) but there seemed to be no artistic sense in choosing the pictures and, seemingly without theme, it left me cold.,

[TheDenizen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some lovely pictures, but the "Chaos Theory for Dummies" approach leaves me kinda cold.

[Mikey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book on a topic that could very well be the key to understanding the universe. The writing was repetitive and waxed mystical, however. From a scientific perspective Briggs tends to underplay fractals (at least in my opinion) and is careful to restrict himself to a conservative exaltation of them. From an artistic perspective, Briggs argues that "reflactaphors" in art are what make it endlessly interesting for the human mind and therefore good art is fractal- an idea which felt like a reach. He has a strange and highly logical take on art and seems to view it almost entirely in terms of what makes for a successful composition as opposed to its expressive qualities. I find it to so often be the case when it comes to books on math that the author will take the subject in a strange direction - bending over backwards to apply it to classical art or stretching the definition of a mathematical entity so it can fit their worldview in some esoteric spiritual sense instead of exploring in greater depth the reasonable and real qualities of it that make it beautiful and truly awe inspiring. Overall, it was an enjoyable read but felt superficial at times - more fitting with the theorizing of a stoner than a mathematician.

[Mary D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way this book was organized. It made the science more accessible for me, a non-mathematician and non-physicist. The photographs and visual images are phenomenal and are what drew me to this book in the first place. I particularly appreciated the 3 sections at the end that dealt with the overlap of fractals and the arts, visual arts in particular.

[Raenuka Mallikarjun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fractals are a very beautiful thing in this world. They are all around us. It shows that fractals are in nature around us. It shows us that mathematics are around us. I like this book because it makes the reader think about things as they walk around in the world.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great pictures, not advanced mathematics. More appropriate for younger students interested in seeing math in a different persepctive.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely explanation of fractals that speaks to the layman and the expert

[Karie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fantastic, if not WAY over my head. Oh physics, why do I love you so?!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book. I like it specifically for the visual aspect of math as art. It opened my mind to observation of natural patterns in nature.

[Bart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable if a bit needlessly evangelistic.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good primer