The meaing of mathematics in Against the Day.....

[Ray Easton]

Robin Landseadel wrote:
> First off, Joseph's right—maths are a big theme all the way through 
> "Against the Day," one would have to be DENSE [like Doc, I guess . . 
> .] not to see that. Thus time travel and multiple appearances by Tesla 
> and other science fiction/fantasy paraphernalia associated with these 
> massive, foundational, changes in math—particularly the rise of 
> 'imaginary numbers'. Again, and I repeat—I'm sure it was not lost on 
> Pynchon how central Quarterions are to computer animation and the 
> creation of fully imaginary visual realms. If "Against the Day" is 
> about anything, it's about quantum shifts.


Please explain to me what the zeta function has to do with any "theme" 
of AtD.  I'd really like to know.


>
> Second—"Gravity's Rainbow" is ONE book by an author who has supplied 
> up with Seven [six & 1/2?] novels, all with different themes, time 
> zones, centers of focus, usw . . .
>
> Sorry, can't go for this silly "The Only Book That Counts Is 
> 'Gravity's Rainbow', the rest is Crap" mantra. My door in was "The 
> Crying of Lot 49,"
>
> You folks need to start up a "Gravity's Rainbow" website/forum/blog 
> and compare dick sizes.
>
> "Gravity's Rainbow" is an anomaly. Then again, so are "Mason & Dixon" 
> and "Against the Day." So are the rest of the books.
>


Who said "the rest is Crap"?  Not me.  I don't find any of the novels 
"crap" with the exception of AtD.  

You sound like a Pope about to issue an excommunication.  And JC wonders 
why I am being aggressive!


Ray