Re: Dick question


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Posted by davidm on February 21, 2007 at 00:13:04 from 89.19.94.138 user davidm.

In Reply to: Dick question posted by John on February 09, 2007 at 13:55:14:

There have been recent books on the "Science of DiscWorld", "Science of OZ", Science of the Dark Materials", and so-on.

"Science of Arthur Ransome" anyone?

Dick is pragmatic and rationalist in his approach. I doubt if he would be interested in abstract mathematics unless it related to a real problem. Shape of the igloo's base in WH perhaps?

AR clearly approved of a scientific approach. I have always assumed that Dick represented that aspect of his character - child of academic parents, and so on. Dorothea represented his imaginative, John his desire to learn and Captain Flint his romantic adventurer sides. All of whom have their views expressed in their own right, not as a foil to an one overiding views. Quite a complex mixture for one person, or for a set of children's books, and probably but just as well or this board would have a lot less to discuss.

AR's science, from recollection, is mostly empirical; but does use a then (I presume) novel technique in BS where Dorothea uses empathy to project a hypothesis which Dick then proves rationally. As far as I am aware, this is unique within 30's detective literature - except possibly Father Brown. He was also aware of the mutability of science - Dick refers somewhere to Bohr's atomic model as an alternative, and Professor Callum in PM refers to theories, which like most theroies are later exploded.

For the mathematicians on this board may I suggest an analysis, using a Prisoners Dilemma model, of emergent behaviour patterns/optimum strategies in flame wars on internet discussion boards. Related to the behavour patterns/strategies generated by placing 13 fictional characters in an enclosed and highly constrained environment, but with high degrees of individual freedom. Compared to those generated by abandoning 13 real children in Harmford Water for a week. Have fun.





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