On Ron Eglash and African Fractals

Dr. Ron Eglash, currently of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, was one of my professors for the Science and Technology studies curriculum. My first impression of him was someone who is genuinely fascinated with his work. I could hardly say I was wildy enthused when first introduced to the term ethnomathematics. Yet Dr. Eglash’s own enthusiasm was infectious. Over the course term I discovered how interesting the subject can be. His approach to teaching was sharing his excitement about possibilities in human cognition.
In my efforts to find my own passion, I am remembering the people who earned my admiration by living their passion. Dr. Eglash is at the top of this list. I googled his name and found his website for culturally situated design tools, a familiar site. I also found a recorded talk on ted.com. So here I’ll share it with you. And don’t forget to read about Dr. Ron Eglash on their profiles page.

I can’t comment based on a first reaction to this talk because I’ve heard him discuss something similar before. However it makes me remember how fascinated I was with the concept. I have always enjoyed math. It was something that might not have come fast, but it always came easy. I am also interested in other cultures. Sometimes I feel that America has become such a melting pot in its few short years of existence that instead of being many cultures, it has deformed into being cultureless. And that is how I feel about myself. Without a unique culture to claim for my own, I have found that learning about others is extremely fascinating: a lesson in human existence. Naturally, a talk about fractals in Africa is worth a hoot and a hollar from me.