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Abstract_Logic
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11 May 2009, 11:31 am

The Muse showed up on my doorstep, dressed in plaid pants and a striped shirt. So I invited it in for coffee: :idea:

An eminent mathematician working on the most famous unsolved problem in contemporary mathematics called the Riemann Hypothesis has a flash of creative insight- eureka moment -and transcends objective reality. He finds himself trapped in a strange universe with humanoids who speak an arcane language and communicate with him by using mathematics. The mathematician soon discovers that by thinking a certain original thought he activated an area of his brain that enhanced his imagination and rendered him physically immobile; that is to say he is trapped in his own mind! He learns that the only way out is to think of another original thought and thus reverse the effect. Now he intends to finish what he had started...solving Riemann. Through periods of self-doubt and mental turmoil, the pressure is on him to succeed.
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This is my science fiction story idea that I concocted about one year ago. It is so absurdly complicated that I find myself tirelessly pacing back and forth in my bedroom, befuddled as to how to begin writing it. That was supposed to be my summer project of 2008, but apparently my mind wandered elsewhere, into the realm of psychology where I began doing research on the theories of personality. At any rate, I've been in desperate need of something to do as of late, so I thought perhaps I will make an attempt at starting my story. I was inspired by the book How Mathematicians Think by William Byers, which focused on the ambiguity and the creative thinking process characteristic of mathematical cognition. I was also inspired by the ability of many of the greatest minds of humanity to focus on a problem and stick with it despite serious set-backs until they have worked it out in its entirety. So I am currently in tandem with the Muse and hopefully it will help me work my way out of this mental rut I have fallen into over the past couple months.

8)



carturo222
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16 May 2009, 12:52 am

It's not clear how making use of a previously untapped faculty of his imagination his brain would respond by paralyzing his motor muscles. How do you intend to explain it, or at least make it believable enough?



Abstract_Logic
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16 May 2009, 1:20 am

Yes, I've already thought that part over. I'm not going to write about that anymore. He's going to have a dream where he finds himself in another universe with an alien species. The alien species discovers that he knows methods of solving problems that they could find useful in their universe, and therefore he shares his knowledge with them in exchange for some of their knowledge. He finds that some of the ways in which they solve problems in their universe can be useful for humans on earth in our universe. When he awakens, he realizes that it was just a dream, but nevertheless decides to publish his "newly discovered" methods of solving certain problems.

The Riemann hypothesis idea was too complex for my current level of knowledge and skill. So I was a little in-over-my-head on that one. Thank you for pointing out the idea of the paralysis due to the original thought. I, too, after reviewing my ideas, thought that one was a little too far-fetched.

Take care. 8)



carturo222
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16 May 2009, 1:56 am

He's going to have WHAT? The first plot was much more interesting, sound, and ORIGINAL than your revised version of it.



Prof_Pretorius
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22 Jun 2009, 12:33 pm

I liked the original idea...


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Abstract_Logic
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22 Jun 2009, 2:29 pm

The original idea is what I'm currently working with. Thanks!


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Sand
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22 Jun 2009, 9:25 pm

Since we are all "trapped" in our minds the basic concept is intriguing. The basis of the story might be one we all deal with - that a creative re-interpretation of our knowledge conflicts with our general paradigm of our understanding of the nature of the "real" world and requires a reconstruction of the nature of the universe. "Reality", after all, is merely our current consistent comprehension of how all things fit together and when something doesn't fit a major psychological change must take place.