Seeking a distant horizon
Fractals are fun. That is something I figured out many years ago when I was introduced to the whole field of study. Mainly because of the pretty pictures I think that you could reproduce and the computers we had in those days. What I did learn during my times of study was that it’s very hard to describe what happens as you zoom in on a particular feature. Coastlines are a good example what seems like a very simple thing becomes more and more detailed as you get closer and closer to the sand period. I bring this up after listening to a documentary about people who sailed the oceans in small boats because I do not think they realize how insignificant they are compared to the bigger picture. I also bring this up because I would love to find where my ancestors landed here on the island. I have theories but I also realize but the shoreline looks nothing like it did when they came in 200 years ago. Other design at the most macro level in fact I really wonder if they would find the shore because it has changed so much now you might think that things are simpler if you just go in land a little ways and find the forest believe me it is not a forest is a landscape that changes all the time and that tree you thought would serve as a landmark is probably long gone. So many predators for trees, you know, armed with axes and chainsaws and wind. I have taken the time to look at old photographs of my own backyard, stuff from almost a century ago and although I can identify where I am there are no features that I can say with certainty that were there teacher when the picture was taken not my fault I have refrained from digging holes hoping to find the past because that also seems to be an exercise fraught with frustration. There is no gold here. I checked the surveys; all we have is a bit of sand. But back to those who sailed alone a century ago these people were nuts I am not going to try naming names because I get the feeling that there have been a lot of them over the years. The theme of I have a boat so I must sail for the horizon has been used again and the gain I put it right up there with the crazy people that telephone me over and over again looking for riches or something.
