Comments on: Napier's Bones: math and mysticism make for great international adventure http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 05:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1108756 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1108756 I actually just finished reading this book, for those too worried about the math i wouldn't. The numerates don't deal with anything really mathematical it's more akin to magic then anything real. It's a really good read though, just don't be surprised if it's more magic than mathematics. I actually just finished reading this book, for those too worried about the math i wouldn’t. The numerates don’t deal with anything really mathematical it’s more akin to magic then anything real.

It’s a really good read though, just don’t be surprised if it’s more magic than mathematics.

]]> By: pKp http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1109017 pKp Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1109017 I am suddenly reminded of the magic system in Mage: The Ascension (oldish pen&paper RPG). At least, the non-silly aspects of it. Other than that...seems pretty cool. And what Skroo said...my "BUY THIS" bookmark folder is about a hundred links long buy now. I guess I need a better-paying job. I am suddenly reminded of the magic system in Mage: The Ascension (oldish pen&paper RPG). At least, the non-silly aspects of it.

Other than that…seems pretty cool. And what Skroo said…my “BUY THIS” bookmark folder is about a hundred links long buy now. I guess I need a better-paying job.

]]> By: dobbsthedog http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1112346 dobbsthedog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1112346 i'm just in the middle of this book and am really enjoying it! i was lucky enough to receive a special limited edition hardcover copy from the author. =) and i'm really happy to see it reviewed here, on one of my favourite sites! i’m just in the middle of this book and am really enjoying it!
i was lucky enough to receive a special limited edition hardcover copy from the author. =)
and i’m really happy to see it reviewed here, on one of my favourite sites!

]]> By: craiig http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1109025 craiig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1109025 Math isn't numbers! It's the study of relationships and patterns. Mathematicians are primarily concerned with examining the relationships between mathematical concepts, not with collecting, enjoying numbers. Infact, even the study of numbers (Number Theory) isn't about studying particular numbers, but the relationships and patterns they form. Barf on this book (and everything else) for math==numbers. Math isn’t numbers! It’s the study of relationships and patterns. Mathematicians are primarily concerned with examining the relationships between mathematical concepts, not with collecting, enjoying numbers. Infact, even the study of numbers (Number Theory) isn’t about studying particular numbers, but the relationships and patterns they form.

Barf on this book (and everything else) for math==numbers.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1111350 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1111350 This is interesting. This is interesting.

]]> By: Thylacinthine http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1109311 Thylacinthine Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1109311 I always thought maths was magic. Just ordered this. Can't wait! I always thought maths was magic. Just ordered this. Can’t wait!

]]> By: Latro http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1109325 Latro Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1109325 Actually, this would not be out of place in an Unknown Army RPG session. It sounds exactly as one of the obsessive-compulsive schools of "postmodern magic" that form half the backbone of it. Actually, this would not be out of place in an Unknown Army RPG session. It sounds exactly as one of the obsessive-compulsive schools of “postmodern magic” that form half the backbone of it.

]]> By: Chevan http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1162088 Chevan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1162088 I read this book based off Cory's recommendation, and I have to say I wasn't impressed. I felt that the basic premise of the book - that certain people could control numbers - was very poorly explained and implemented. I thought there was a lot of potential to geek out and get into the mathematical rules and probabilities governing nature, but instead I got some generic plot-device handwaving about numbers floating around doing things. Basically, I read the book expecting speculative fiction and found it to be basic fantasy. I read this book based off Cory’s recommendation, and I have to say I wasn’t impressed. I felt that the basic premise of the book – that certain people could control numbers – was very poorly explained and implemented. I thought there was a lot of potential to geek out and get into the mathematical rules and probabilities governing nature, but instead I got some generic plot-device handwaving about numbers floating around doing things.

Basically, I read the book expecting speculative fiction and found it to be basic fantasy.

]]> By: damiro http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1110635 damiro Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1110635 This sounds good, whether or not the numenaries manipulate "math" or "magic." The powers of the mind are very close to magic anyway, as anyone who has passed calculus and been amazed at Newton et al.'s genius could tell you. If you're looking for another good book incorporating the earthly and mystical powers of numbers, check out Neil Stephenson's Anathem--as I'm sure many of you have already. This sounds good, whether or not the numenaries manipulate “math” or “magic.” The powers of the mind are very close to magic anyway, as anyone who has passed calculus and been amazed at Newton et al.’s genius could tell you. If you’re looking for another good book incorporating the earthly and mystical powers of numbers, check out Neil Stephenson’s Anathem–as I’m sure many of you have already.

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1108876 AnthonyC Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1108876 This is definitely getting added to my reading list. I hope it's good. I find the premise... troubling, though. If you told me the Numerates could change the laws of physics, or physical constants, or the statistical distribution of particles, energy, and momentum in a system, I would have no complaints at all. But changing *math?* Math just *is.* You choose a set of premises, and theorems inexorably follow, whether you want them to or not, whether you're aware of them or not. This is definitely getting added to my reading list.

I hope it’s good. I find the premise… troubling, though. If you told me the Numerates could change the laws of physics, or physical constants, or the statistical distribution of particles, energy, and momentum in a system, I would have no complaints at all. But changing *math?* Math just *is.* You choose a set of premises, and theorems inexorably follow, whether you want them to or not, whether you’re aware of them or not.

]]> By: jphilby http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1108641 jphilby Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1108641 Damn great idea. Now see, kids, why you should pay attention to your math teacher? Damn great idea. Now see, kids, why you should pay attention to your math teacher?

]]> By: Rotwang http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1108404 Rotwang Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1108404 This sounds excellent - I'll have to check it out. This sounds excellent – I’ll have to check it out.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1109433 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1109433 The math background to the plot in this novel reminds the one to Arkady & Boris Sgtrugatsky's Definitely Maybe. The math background to the plot in this novel reminds the one to Arkady & Boris Sgtrugatsky’s Definitely Maybe.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1109691 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1109691 If you like something different, intelligent and thought-provoking, Derryl's your man. I also recommend his anthology Wasps at the Speed of Sound. The two stories I remember best were the title one, and a reality TV show take on watching the last member of an endangered species expire. http://www.amazon.ca/Wasps-Speed-Sound-Derryl-Murphy/dp/080954489X If you like something different, intelligent and thought-provoking, Derryl’s your man. I also recommend his anthology Wasps at the Speed of Sound. The two stories I remember best were the title one, and a reality TV show take on watching the last member of an endangered species expire. http://www.amazon.ca/Wasps-Speed-Sound-Derryl-Murphy/dp/080954489X

]]> By: codersquid http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1109967 codersquid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1109967 There was less math in the book than I was hoping for. When I read the premise I had expected there to be something akin to different magical 'styles' based on different maths e.g. set theory, topology, logic, etc. that aside, I did enjoy the book, and might get a sequel. There was less math in the book than I was hoping for. When I read the premise I had expected there to be something akin to different magical ‘styles’ based on different maths e.g. set theory, topology, logic, etc. that aside, I did enjoy the book, and might get a sequel.

]]> By: simonbarsinister http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1108443 simonbarsinister Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1108443 I fear reading this book could damage my mind. Years ago I read Kit Willams 'Masquerade' and Bamber Gascoigne's commentary on it 'The Quest For The Golden Hare'. I started seeing patterns everywhere. Billboards and pennies on the sidewalk were clues. It took a few months for it to fade away completely. I fear reading this book could damage my mind.

Years ago I read Kit Willams ‘Masquerade’ and Bamber Gascoigne’s commentary on it ‘The Quest For The Golden Hare’. I started seeing patterns everywhere. Billboards and pennies on the sidewalk were clues. It took a few months for it to fade away completely.

]]> By: Skroo http://boingboing.net/2011/05/12/napiers-bones-math-a.html#comment-1108444 Skroo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1108444 Damn you Cory for adding another book to my already too long "want to read" list. Damn you Cory for adding another book to my already too long “want to read” list.

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