One's (1's) and Zero's (0's)

in letters in numbers
speak two kind of language
one
half as much
but twice as good
and the other
twice as much, but half as elegant

in letters in numbers
expresses one kind of thing
in one kind of place
for one kind of reason
behind one kind of face
taking up one kind of space. . .

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I can remember many years ago working with computer programmers, in the very early days of computers. They wrote there programmes in numbers and I would punch them out on to paper tape. Hadn't a clue what they meant but as a teenager I was so impressed. Letters I am much better with because I understand them more. I wish I had been good with numbers. That's where your little poem took me David, on a trip down memory lane.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Thanks Chris.

I also prefer words to numbers but was forced to become fluent in both so I have an inherent respect for what you can do with numbers as well. The idea that some people aren't good with numbers is based more off a lack of confidence than ability. While it's true that higher level physics, chemistry, biology, and so on use concepts that are counter intuitive to the layperson the learning process it takes to get there, when done in a reasonable order and taught by a reasonable instructor, is actually quite intuitive. You are probably a lot better at math than you think you are... almost everyone is.

[Chris Shaw]

My Dad had a degree in pure and applied maths and physics. He was very intelligent but didn't have much patience:) When it came to trying to help me, he moved so quickly from a to b that I couldn't take it in. He found it so easy, he couldn't understand why others couldn't. I am sure you are right. A teacher with more patience would have given me more confidence. I think I felt intimidated by my Dad's genius :))

[Davidgeo]

ha... I come from a similar situation on the chemical engineering side of things. My father and older siblings are objectively so good at these things that they only have the patience to converse about them with similar minds. One thing they objectively lack though is creativity.

[Chris Shaw]

Smiling, because you are so right. My Dad lacked creativity. I wonder now what he would make of my poetry :))

[Davidgeo]

Probably, it would confuse him. That's my guess.

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha, I like the idea of my Dad being baffled :)

[Lyanth]

Never been very good with numbers, letters I have more luck with.. It is true we speak in both, it is just not a language I am fluent in. Nice write.

[Davidgeo]

Underlying both of them is a similar concept with the same basic principles - organized human thought. You might surprise yourself with respect to learning complex mathematics if you give an honest effort. It's not something that's easy but you don't have to be really good at math to get really good at math. All I can say is that it's a field worth exploring no matter what field of employment you are currently in or are trying to get into.

[Lyanth]

Maybe so and very true. I have no interest in scientific matters to be honest, they are an intriguing aspect and no doubt useful on many scales, but I make due with the basics and lean more towards other aspects of intelligence. Thank you for the advice.

[Davidgeo]

If you learn more mathematical concepts you will see them hiding in places you wouldn't expect... you will see that you are already using advanced one's in your everyday decision making. But I totally understand why you wouldn't wanna spend the time on it... it's a frustrating and time consuming process and while we are all capable of learning these things it's not as easy for everybody like it is for some. It took me about three years on top of what I learned in high school to get even slightly above average at this s**t.

[Lyanth]

I can imagine. Determination does a great many things for us. Been a bit slow with math from the start, in all honesty it isn't because It's impossible, I just don't understand it the way people explain it, therefore it proves difficult. Where I do understand, I do well. My brain is wired a little differently perhaps.
I admire your motivation to learn however, cheers to that.

[Davidgeo]

Thanks. I enjoyed this little interaction. If you ever feel compelled to try and learn some math, chem or physics let me know and I'll be happy to share some advice on how to effectively approach that.

[Lyanth]

I'll keep that in mind, likewise, it's been a pleasure.