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Polynomial polyamorous equations
May. 19th, 2006 11:46 pmI found the following in the May 1985 issue of Games:
"Welcome, class, to Human Algebra 101. In these eight equations, let b = boy, g = girl, m = mother, f = father, s = son and d = daughter. Correctly arranged in mathematical terms, these six variables describe a delightful array of human existence.
b + g = a date
(b + g) + m = a chaperoned date
(b1 + g1) + (b2 + g2) = a double date
(bg) = marriage
m + f + s + d = a family
m + (s + d) + f = protective parents
(d1 + d2) = twin daughters
s1 ≠ s2 = son, having an identity crisis
— by John Calhoun"
I read this ages ago, but it's always stuck in my mind as a fun pursuit. A few additions:
b/g = a divorce
g' = transgendered female
g! = drama queen
[b(g1 + g2 + g3)] = HBO's Big Love
But then I thought, "Jeez, Fermat's Last Theorem has got nothing on trying to formulate Human Algebra equations for poly situations." In this light, I present unto you two challenges:
General challenge: Create new examples of Human Algebra equations. While I have you here, are the six variables listed sufficient for all such equations, or are there others that merit use?
Specific challenge for polyamorous readers: Write an equation that describes your current situation. (If you're not comfortable discussing your relationships in a public forum but think it'd be fun to give it a go, feel free to e-mail me.)
"Welcome, class, to Human Algebra 101. In these eight equations, let b = boy, g = girl, m = mother, f = father, s = son and d = daughter. Correctly arranged in mathematical terms, these six variables describe a delightful array of human existence.
b + g = a date
(b + g) + m = a chaperoned date
(b1 + g1) + (b2 + g2) = a double date
(bg) = marriage
m + f + s + d = a family
m + (s + d) + f = protective parents
(d1 + d2) = twin daughters
s1 ≠ s2 = son, having an identity crisis
— by John Calhoun"
I read this ages ago, but it's always stuck in my mind as a fun pursuit. A few additions:
b/g = a divorce
g' = transgendered female
g! = drama queen
[b(g1 + g2 + g3)] = HBO's Big Love
But then I thought, "Jeez, Fermat's Last Theorem has got nothing on trying to formulate Human Algebra equations for poly situations." In this light, I present unto you two challenges:
General challenge: Create new examples of Human Algebra equations. While I have you here, are the six variables listed sufficient for all such equations, or are there others that merit use?
Specific challenge for polyamorous readers: Write an equation that describes your current situation. (If you're not comfortable discussing your relationships in a public forum but think it'd be fun to give it a go, feel free to e-mail me.)
