Medieval Muslims made stunning mathematical breakthrough

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Magnificently sophisticated geometric patterns in medieval Islamic architecture indicate their designers achieved a mathematical breakthrough 500 years earlier than Western scholars, scientists said on Thursday.

By the 15th century, decorative tile patterns on these masterpieces of Islamic architecture reached such complexity that a small number boasted what seem to be "quasicrystalline" designs, Harvard University's Peter Lu and Princeton University's Paul Steinhardt wrote in the journal Science.

Only in the 1970s did British mathematician and cosmologist Roger Penrose become the first to describe these geometric designs in the West. Quasicrystalline patterns comprise a set of interlocking units whose pattern never repeats, even when extended infinitely in all directions, and possess a special form of symmetry.

"Oh, it's absolutely stunning," Lu said in an interview. "They made tilings that reflect mathematics that were so sophisticated that we didn't figure it out until the last 20 or 30 years."

Lu and Steinhardt in particular cite designs on the Darb-i Imam shrine in Isfahan, Iran, built in 1453.

Islamic tradition has frowned upon pictorial representations in artwork. Mosques and other grand buildings erected by Islamic architects throughout the Middle East, Central Asia and elsewhere often are wrapped in rich, intricate tile designs setting out elaborate geometric patterns.

The walls of many medieval Islamic structures display sumptuous geometric star-and-polygon patterns. The research indicated that by 1200 an important breakthrough had occurred in Islamic mathematics and design, as illustrated by these geometric designs. Continued...

 

It is amazing what the mind can do when not bogged down with all the senseless mush we have to concern ourselves with today. I believe what we consider the average genius today is really only a person who has better mastered use of existing technology. Architecture is a true indicator of the level of intelligence we often forget or miss. Cancun is great for a day at the beach but if I were to go to the Mediterranean's I doubt I'd spend more than a day if that. Just imagine the fascinating architecture? As for design and style I love the Mediterranean look all that is except for the mosaic tile that basically hurts the eyes to look at. While at the same time it is however fascinating. I must say though that the "quasi-crystalline" patterns he boasts about I would like to see these non-repeating patterns he boasts of then shows me a picture of just the opposite repeating crystalline pattern in the picture he is showing. This makes me question his motive. Or maybe the authors knowledge of what he is talking about. That and the fact that at the time period referred to Mosaic tile was not in my understanding an exclusive form of "Muslim" expression. Lets remember that although the Muslim domination of the Middle Eastern region although effectively perpetuated by their brutal tactics of “claim our religion or suffer extreme consequence” as well as the softer tactic of taxation forcing non-Muslims into a lower economic standing as well as out of the sphere of influence. There were other religions of the same ethnic peoples. So why the emphasis on "Muslim"? Oh and BTW yes I understand that all mosaic is neither Mediterranean nor Muslim I'm just giving an example.

 

Besides





Did Dave Navarro turn Muslim after being dumped by Carmen?

 

It's called beauty, Joe. It's a reflection of divine harmony at an intense, high [intelligence] frequency. Or an extremely complex, mathematical level. What a mind can aspire to when unimpeded by the primitive, base impulses that drive the lower, beastial aspects of human nature. Quite bedazzling, isn't it?

Tiles (and glass - which was used for glazing) were invented in ancient Iraq. As were mathematics. Arabs developed the tile designs into a high geometric form because they couldnt show figurative representations in Islamic religion.

 

I don't think the point is whether Muslims can be smart. The answer is obviously yes. The point is are certain ones among them going to become such a threat that they need to be smacked down hard and restrictions on movements put in place. The religion when taken literally is aggressive especially the wahabis. We didn't ask for them to step up to our door and knock on it by blowing up the twin towers. We offered our institutions of higher learning up for the asking with little or no restrictions. Now I don't agree with staying in Iraq. I think we should have been in and out with the threat of coming back if we didn't like the results with possibly some air craft carriers with cruise missiles reminding whatever despot should come to power who has the real strength. Same goes for Iran and the nuclear threat. In and out if necessary. That said I did not vote for Bush the second time around and lately I have had more democratic leanings with regard to universal health care and portability of insurance.

 

The left-right paradigm is a bullshit, it doesnt matter who you vote for because they all do the same, its rigged anyway.

The planes that flew into the towers were drone piloted (remote controlled).

Our governments are not to be trusted.

Merely another tiny fragment of the endless war.

 

I tend to think of things in pre WW2 terms. I don't think we are as tough as we used to be. We didn't doubt ourselves as much. There were less bullshit artists which I consider most politicians to be these days. I think the towers were a sort of modern day pearl harbor event. Yes it is difficult when the perpetrators can't be traced directly to a certain government. But I am convinced had a comparable event happened pre WW2 we would have started invading arab countries and topling their governments. Arab countries and gov'ts were comparable to pawns on the scale of WW2. We didn't worry about making them into shiny new societies but they new enough not to mess with us or any of the big powers. Live and let live is fine with me but if they choose to not abide they should be given the short end of the stick and not have us give ourselves the short end by staying around occupying their countries for more time than it takes to kick their asses and leave.

 

When I mean topple the govt's I am talking about the ones promoting the teachings and not arresting the instigators of violence against western societies. Taking the imams and jailing them permanently until they find they may not want to be so bold as to try making a living preaching hate against us. Maybe then the people will look for someone who doesn't want to pick a fight with one of the most powerful countries on the planet.

 

They may say they are crazy and don't care for life but it is mostly just the suicidal rejects of their societies that are blowing themselves up. The imams in their comfortable homes are about as full of it as the television preachers millionaires we have had so many of in the past int he US.

 

You just went from "amusing" to "idiot" in one sentence.


Barry

 

I think I have herd something to that effect before. I will take that for what its worth. Also though I must say the degree of liberal or radical attitude with in the Muslim communities varied from town to town and season to season. One point as well as the other point you truly pointed out that "Arabs" developed and while at that time the predominate may have been Muslim I think it is as likely they could have been poor and oppressed Christian holdouts doing all that real work and labor at the time. What people keep on forgetting is that there were plenty of areas in that region that were predominately Christian. Admittedly however I'm no authority on tile. Just generally skeptical and the fact that unlike you who attributed these arts to Arabs the person who penned the article seems a little misguided point out that this is uniquely Muslim. He is either dull minded pretty much in line with 80 percent of society but dull minded none the less. Or purposefully deceptive. The art is often times Beautiful however this I have to agree.

 

Here it comes I can hear it already.

 

Never believe anything I say outright you bloody fool, go read up the facts and draw your own conclusions. Its right fucking there if you'd just go and look. The US have STATED they want 50% of their airforce DRONE CONTROLLED by I think it was 2020(the actual date needs to be checked, perhaps it was 2050), either way its a FACT, that is what they're doing. 9/11 was the 1st test, quite successful wasn't it?

 

http://www.livingroom.org.au/uavblog/archives/us_airforce_building_top_secret_drone.php

http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=122

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3406

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19820-2005Feb12.html

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/11/19/D8LGBFB80.html

 

Now you are a raving idiot.

I know that we have drone controlled planes. It is openly prompted knowledge that the US wants more remotely controlled aircraft.

To believe that the US government would take a commercial airliner full of people, and use remote control devises to plunge them into the Pentagon and Both Trade Towers is sheer lunacy. Or maybe not. Maybe it is sheer stupidity.

 

Several of those 'people' were found alive, You think I am ranting like a loon, but I go by news accounts which are widely recognised you can go look stuff up if you like. You cant really believe everything sure but whatever you might think is true, I believe this to be true and you're pretty stupid for a) Your prejudice against someone with a different belief than you. b) Not looking into all the evidence.

 

Come on Dis. Do you really think that I haven't "looked into all the evidence?"
I probably read more in a week that you do in a year. There 3 things I am sure of -
1 - I am not even close to being ignorant.
2 - I am even further away from being stupid.
3 - I can prove both 1 and 2.

You sound more like SmurfNursey every day.
Wake up before the hobgoblins in your head take up permanent residence.

 

You think I am stupid because I state information that you're fully aware of, this has serious backward logic. I bet you get angry at Ice Cream for being cold.

Fire away, I'd love to see you try and prove me an idiot because of what I've read and what I believe in, 2 bullet points, and a smarmy self-confident reference is going to do much without any proof.

Prove me an idiot.

 

Honestly Disorder I can appreciate taking a look at thinks with a view of skepticism. But you seem to be one of those that are falling for the idea where at first it is healthy to look at the view from all angles. Then the sickness kicks in and takes over your soul. The whole world is deduced to good vs bad. Good is all things worldly with a socialists tint. Or there is the approach of all things anarchy. The one common denominator is that all things bad are U.S. and capitalism. What you are neglecting is to view all those Millions of articles you will find out there on the WWW with ant skepticism what so ever.

 

berry would never ever get angry at ice cream