Imaginary numbers are used in some things like modeling fluid dynamics, and some other physics things with looking at other things that move like waves or fluids. I can't really give a concrete example of how, though -- most of what I've been working on has been theoretical stuff, and I haven't looked at things like that much.

Yes, I said "the number i." Somehow, i is a number. I even know what it is -- the square root of -1. What I don't get is what it can be used for. Because it's NOT REAL!

Nope, it's imaginary. It does not, in fact, exist.

But if it doesn't exist, then it isn't real!

....perhaps you see my sticking point with it.

But it helps you get from point A to point B sometimes. It's a mathematical wormhole.

Handwaving? But how can something that doesn't exist help with something that DOES exist???

....perhaps you see why I'd swoon if anyone could explain it to me.

I will definately come out for a visit. You only live, like, an hour and a half away!

Yay! We should hang out ALL THE TIME.

But how can something that doesn't exist help with something that doesn't exist???

No no. Something that doesn't exist helps with something that does exist. Inasmuch as negative numbers exist. Which, I suppose, they don't. But they don't exist on a whole nother level than imaginary numbers. Maybe you were right the first time.

But how can something that doesn't exist help with something that doesn't exist???

No no. Something that doesn't exist helps with something that does exist.

That was a typo. My bad. I meant "with something that DOES exist."

But how can something that doesn't exist help with something that doesn't exist???

To get from a theoretical point A to a theoretical point B by way of an imaginary number.

I'm saying the words and they still aren't connecting with the brain. I find it somewhat confusing how, when I was in high school, we could just accept that "i" was a valid "number" without requiring a proof of it's existance. Maybe that was too much for a teenager's mind to comprehend.

All I can do is think that these numbers live in Lovecraftian universe, and that they are Weird Physics signifiers.

I still don't understand, but it comforts me.

i exists just as much as 2 exists. Or just as little as 2 exists, if you want to look at it that way.

I used to have a mathy sort of brain, but I've been away from it so long I think it's atrophied.

I had a joke to type about getting distracted, but I got distracted and now I can't remember what it was.

i exists just as much as 2 exists. Or just as little as 2 exists, if you want to look at it that way.

So, what I'm getting is that i is a hidden doorway to Negative Land, somwhere between A and B?

I'm very late on this, due to stoopid new filters at work, but {{{{Gud}}}}

Love the stories, P-C. Also, I don't know if this is any help, but a few years ago I decided that although I had no idea of what I wanted to do in my life, I knew I didn't want to keep doing what I was doing in my dead-end job. Since I worked in a library, I decided to go to library school. I researched schools, chose some to apply to, applied, was accepted, gave notice at work, held garage sales to get rid of stuff, packed up and moved about as far away as is possible while staying in the same country (from Anchorage to Syracuse). When it came time to change planes in Detroit, I literally had to force myself, step by step, to get on the correct plane, because I wanted nothing more than to book another flight home. When I arrived in Syracuse, it was hot, muggy and dusty. When I got to campus, I found that services were closing for the weekend. I knew no one, could not dial out on my phone, had no transportation because public transit was down to my area for the weekend, and no idea of where anything was anyway. I was so miserable that I pretty much cried myself through the weekend.

The following week, I started classes. After the first class, a bunch of us were walking towards cars and apartments, chatting, and I realized for the first time that I had made the right decision and this really was what I wanted to do with my life. Syracuse didn't get any better (I hope that I'm not offending anyone, but it's the armpit of New York), but it was a great education and I'm glad I went.

I tell this whole story to say that while it may be confusing and scary right now, I truly do believe that it will work out in the long run. If you know, deep down, that you've made the right decision, great. If not, it will come to you. Or, if this turns out to not be what you want to do with your life, then you'll change your mind and do something else. We're all faking our way through, and changing your mind is allowed. I know this is long, but I hope it helps a little. If not, please ignore, because I'm sure you'll do just fine.

ION: Panic attacks are no fun, and everyone who gets them has my deepest sympathies.