myrmepropagandistJul 26, 2023

Sacred Geometry people are my math heretics— The mad with power inquisition version of me would want them burned at the stake. As it is? I just seethe at their “incorrect appreciation of geometry”

They worship wrong.

I bought a book of geometric constructions — (not reading about it too carefully...) Just cracked it open. It cheerfully gives instructions for constructing a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, and heptagon…

A footnote begrudgingly admits the heptagon is only 98.25% correct. 1/

Show threadmyrmepropagandistJul 26, 2023

I almost thought that footnote wouldn’t even be there! This book is that glib. The footnote contains the most interesting fact presented in the entire book.

I must compulsively check all these constructions to see if they are “real” they probably are— but still.

I wonder how the heptagon approximation was created— I get the desire to just know how to make a serviceable regular solid— but to talk of heptagons but not unconstructability ? heresy I say!

Show threadPetra
@futurebird Wikipedia claims the approximation is mentioned by heron of alexandria which is fascinating
Jul 26, 2023 at 6:42amWeb