Exploring Sustainable Solutions through Math and Technology
Written on
Chapter 1: Embracing a Sustainable Future
Hello, friends!
After a challenging ten months of illness and recovery, I’m thrilled to return to teaching. Connecting with both my online and offline communities through Zoom has been revitalizing. Together, we can explore the wealth of solutions available to create a sustainable world.
On Wednesday, November 2, from 8–9 PM CET, the think-and-do tank Abundanism will host a Zoom call featuring one of my favorite independent thinkers, Professor Johan Gielis. He is the brilliant botanist and mathematician behind the groundbreaking Superformula.
Free Zoom Call with Professor Johan Gielis - Botanist & Mathematician | Abundanism
In 2003, Professor Gielis introduced the Superformula, a transformative mathematical breakthrough that has changed the landscape of various scientific fields.
To reserve your place, please RSVP. A Zoom link will be shared on November 1. Professor Gielis has the unique ability to convey complex insights in an accessible manner. Even if the intricacies of his Superformula, such as sine and cosine functions, elude me, I know his insights are invaluable.
This video showcases the 2023 Make Math Moments Virtual Summit, a free online conference for math educators, emphasizing the power of math in addressing sustainability challenges.
The Superformula in Action
This lecture is designed to be understood by everyone in our community who isn’t intimidated by advanced sciences. If something isn't clear, take a moment to reflect and allow your mind to connect it with knowledge you already possess. From there, you can build new insights and enthusiasm.
In the following week, I will host another open Zoom session for questions and potential applications of the Superformula. This fascinating formula, rooted in ancient Greek mathematics and developed from the Superellipse by Gabriel Lame, captivates us at Abundanism for numerous reasons.
It offers profound insights into how our bodies, minds, and the five kingdoms of nature operate. The Superformula has been around for two decades and is now applied across a wide range of human advancements and wisdom.
The formula encompasses all natural shapes and in three dimensions, it reveals how tubes twist and turn, akin to recent discoveries about the heart's helical structure.
Applications of the Superformula
- Neurosciences: It helps us understand complex neural connections.
- Gaming: Creates immersive environments and avatars requiring significantly less data transfer.
- Data Sciences: Focuses on core data without misusing averages, recognizing unique patterns.
- Antennas: Anything can function as an antenna, suggesting a potential shift away from combustion engines, reminiscent of Nikola Tesla's vision.
- Architecture: Innovative designs mimic natural forms, twisting and turning in height. Check out the work of architects on Lava.net.
At Abundanism, we are passionate about developing healthy buildings. Imagine the possibilities of combining this knowledge with advancements in material sciences—think lightweight, highly insulating, earthquake-resistant structures made from breathable materials.
This video features insights into modern architecture and its connection with sustainability.
The Future of Sustainability
What other fields could benefit from these concepts? I envision a world where colors, shapes, and functions blend seamlessly rather than being confined by barriers. I'm eager to hear your perspectives on this.
When I began my journey in holistic sustainability, I had no idea how many fundamental elements remained undiscovered. Embracing the infinite potential of natural processes, shaped by 3.8 billion years of evolution, opens up countless opportunities for a brighter future for our grandchildren.
Key Principles for a Sustainable Future
- Everything should be multifunctional.
- All systems are interconnected.
- Avoid unnecessary materials; repurpose existing structures for diverse uses.
- Harness local energy sources to eliminate geopolitical constraints.
Imagine utilizing gravity to power our earthquake-resistant homes, or employing generative design to create products that echo nature’s efficiency.
Generative Design and Its Potential
Consider the possibilities if we combined generative design with phytomining—not just for metals but also for minerals from healthy landscapes. The same techniques used to produce biochar could be adapted for this purpose.
Bamboo forests exemplify resilience and productivity, growing in various climates and yielding multiple harvests annually. Professor Gielis, a trailblazer in this field, emphasizes the individuality of molecules and the importance of the unconventional.
His current projects include developing a formula that explains how sound travels through air, with potential applications in washing machines that use sonic waves and UV light to prevent microplastic pollution.
I’ve found my discussions with Johan to be incredibly inspiring. While I may not be a math expert, I recognize the importance of collaboration across disciplines to forge a sustainable future.
Bamboo as a Model for Innovation
Bamboo shoots symbolize emergence and resilience. The ability to regenerate even after root disturbance prompts us to consider practical applications of this knowledge.
I encourage you to think about how we can turn harvesting into a new paradigm for sustainable practices. If you’ve ever tasted bamboo shoots, you know they are delicious!
Please RSVP on our website to receive the Zoom link on November 1. Welcome to Abundanism, where we reject limitations and embrace abundance!
As a teacher and advocate for change, I am dedicated to inspiring future leaders in our collective journey toward a sustainable future.
Thank you, Gaia, for the gift of Wild Writing.
© Désirée Driesenaar, 2022