The Loom of God: Tapestries of Mathematics and Mysticism by Clifford A. Pickover (PDF)

Description

“A marvelously entertaining, historical romp through the unexpected connections between mathematics and mysticism” (Paul Hoffman, Discover).From the mysterious cult of Pythagoras to the awesome mechanics of Stonehenge to digitally generated “gargoyles” and fractals, mathematics has always been a powerful, even divine force in the world. In a lively, intelligent synthesis of math, mysticism, and science fiction, Clifford Pickover explains the eternal magic of numbers. Taking a uniquely humorous approach, he appoints readers “Chief Historian” of an intergalactic museum and sends them, along with a quirky cast of characters, hurtling through the ages to explore how individuals used numbers for such purposes as predicting the end of the world, finding love, and winning wars.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This book is alight with Pickover’s enthusiasm for mathematical concepts and esoteric meaning. I just wish I was a mathematician.

⭐What does Pickover mean by the loom in the “Loom of God?” There are two historic looms that I can think of that relate to this title.The first loom is the Greek Loom of the Fates. Each person’s life is a thread. This is a loom of destiny. When one of the Fates cuts your thread, it is all over.The second loom is a mathematical loom. The Jacquard Loom used punched cards to control the positioning of threads. Herman Hollerith adopted the punched cards for the tabulation of 1890 census data. Soon after that, he founded a company, the Tabulating Machine Company, which after some mergers, in 1924 became the International Business Machines Corporation.Pickover’s loom is a combination of the Loom of the Fates and the Jacquard Loom. It is a mathematical loom of destiny. In this work Pickover illustrates mathematical calculations for the end of the world. There is, of course, the end of the 5000-year Mayan calendar cycle, December 21, 2012. But, did you know about the population explosion of November 13, 2021, or the impending comet impact of August 21, 2126? And Pickover looks like such a happy person in his dust jacket photos.Along the way to our destiny, we are treated to the Urantia Book which contains some interesting large numbers. The Urantia Book is like the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP). They are each over 2000 pages long, the author is unknown, and they are treated as bibles by some. We also learn that the Aubrey holes at Stonehenge can be used to predict eclipses. This interesting analysis was explained by G. S. Hawkins in Stonehenge Decoded. We also learn about quipu knot writing, numerical gargoyles, and much more.The “Loom of God” is filled with interesting stories and mathematical curiosities. This book is wonderfully illustrated. There is a drawing or photo on almost every page to go with the stories.As for the end of the world, my bet is September 21, 2012, three months before the Mayan calendar flips its 5000 year page to a new cycle. This date is when some models have predicted that the Arctic Ocean will be ice free. Actually, this event will not be the end, but may signal an early tipping point in the climate change scenario. In the meantime, enjoy Pickover’s book.

⭐I’m a huge fan of Mr. Pickover books since I was a graduate student at Universidade Federal of Rio de Janeiro; It has been a great to drink of the source of beautifull ideas intertwined on his books where art and science mixture is masterly displayed.

⭐The Loom of God has a wonderful premise: how does mathematics and faith intertwine. Pickover doesn’t lack interesting anecdotes to explore and the book does contain some intriguing content. However, without any analysis or argument, all you get are anecdotes, interesting tidbits and some nice illustrations.Unfortunately, Pickover not only doesn’t commit to analysis or argument, but also chose a dreadful narrative device for the book. Starting each chapter with a conversation between “you,” the Chief Historian of an intergalactic museum and your alien assistant, Mr. Plex (who is kind of robotic). Pickover doesn’t have any noticeable literary chops, so these parts drag terribly. If this were aimed at middle-grade students, it would work. As a book aimed at adults, it limits Pickover’s ability to reach for any of the promise of his theme.For me, this book represents the downside to buying books online. Had I been in a bookstore, I would have read some middle sections and discovered that the narrative concept didn’t work. Online, it was easy to see the solid press reviews and think this was a book aimed at an older audience than it really is.

⭐A poorly constructed story with terribly drawn characters. It must have seemed a good idea at the time, but the reality is awful.

⭐Interesting, thought-provoking & enjoyable.Some people may be put off at first by his somewhat quirkyapproach (e.g., the fictional dialogues) but, having readprevious works by him, I was prepared for this and could enjoythe content without being distracted by the format.I’m sure this will not be the last Clifford Pickover additionto my bookshelves!

⭐I am excited, surprised and intrigued by this universe of mystical mathmatics collected and contextualized by an inspired man. Whether I will end up understanding its vastness or not does not keep me awake what so ever … Any one who can write a book with such a brilliant title and comes through with the goods, deserves a great review!

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