Why are rivers so mathematical?

(quantamagazine.org)

26 points | by sebg 3 days ago

3 comments

ssalka 3 hours ago
Rivers form fractal shapes just like how Iterated Function Systems[1] and L-systems[2] form: by simple branching, carried out at varying levels of scale. A gentle reminder that fractals are nature's favorite building block.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iterated_function_system
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-system
MengerSponge 3 hours ago
"THE UNREASONABLE EFFECTIVENSS OF MATHEMATICS IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES" https://webhomes.maths.ed.ac.uk/~v1ranick/papers/wigner.pdf
goobleplex 15 hours ago
This is backwards cause-effect
Mathematical axioms are derived from sensory experience in this physical reality
The math is actually river-like
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- rcxdude 1 hour ago
  It's not obvious that either way should work.