The following occurred to me this morning, and it seems that maybe it has also happened to others. So please share.
I was thinking about how certain weird functions could be used to solve a problem of long term interest to me last night. When I woke up this morning I realized that maybe another class of functions I studied years ago might help. But I couldn’t think of the name. Two syllables, maybe starts with “f”, contains a “b”. Had to do with polynomials, taking mods, etc.
So I pondered making a GQ post asking for help. Started thinking of a subject line. Needed to make sure to get ultrafilter’s attention. Thought of making it amusing like a classified ad. (“Desperately seeking …”, “Enjoys infinite walks on fractal beaches.”) But probably better if I didn’t.
But what key words to use: polynomials, basis, mod. No, not mod, synthetic division. That kicked the old brain in. Grubner basis! (Actually turned out to be Gröbner basis. And neither Google or Wikipedia were helpful with those keywords.)
Sometimes just going thru the process of imagining posting to the Dope helps.
I concur. I often come up with “Why does…” sorts of questions when my mind wanders. I think to myself about posting to the Dope. Then I imagine all the replies being “Here, I Googled that for you” or “According to this Wikipedia article…” or even “The answer is obvious…” and I come up with the answer on my own.
Yes, you guys have put the Fear of Og in me that I might ask a stupid question But really, I think it’s sort of good for my critical thinking skills.
Cafe Society is a place that always blows my mind.
I’ve seen people, including myself, go on there posting a thread asking for help “Identify this movie”. They (or I) will give the vaguest of details. I’m thinking there’s no way in hell anybody could possibly get this.
Noble sentiment, but not at all what I was talking about.
Which brings up my own personal downside on the board (and real life). I think I make a post that is clear and unambiguous and yet people take it a whole 'nother way.
Also, I have no idea why this thread was moved since I was asking for other’s to share. I thought that was what made IMHO different from MPSIMS.
But really, I think it’s sort of good for my critical thinking skills.