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Dear TreeTown -
We've never actually discussed this bit of tree physiology, which
seems to play a (symbolic) role in broad areas of mathematics,
geography, electronics and communications (the Internet being the
supreme manifestation). Our 'Family Tree' (evolutionary tree) is
only one of many more examples of branching forms (roads, tracks
and other delivery systems) -- what about world languages?
One intense part of all this, as I dimly comprehend it, is The
Node. We humans are accustomed during development of cells wildly
differentiating into all manner of properties and functions -- bone,
teeth, nails, nerves, glands, blood, hair, muscle, skin, eyes ...
Well think about these trees for a bit. A branch is growing along,
adding on thousands upon thousands of identical cells, forming a
relatively simple, lengthening tube form. Then something happens,
but what ? Some catastrophe happens. Differentiation. Bifurcation.
So what does go on? What happens to that thousand-thousandth cell
that triggers it to go against the grain and start up a new branch?
Some of you folks reading this might be thinking now, what is Richard
talking about -- this is all too obvious. But I suspect that branching
is an extremely complex phenomenon. Real Einstein stuff -- like
Mandlebrodt's infinitely swirling geometrical figures. He was the
father of chaos you know ...
RT Ellsberry
Richard@Flora.Com
TreeTown ListOp
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