Why trees look like rivers and also blood vessels and also lightning…

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Why do the same, self-repeating patterns appear in trees, rivers, lightning, and even inside our own bodies? Is there some secret, hidden rule of nature or mathematics that makes these intricate designs appear all over the place? Let’s talk about fractals.

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[αβγδε]

Fun fact: Fractals are sometimes used to create realistic computer-generated landscapes and environments in video games and movies. Their self-similar patterns allow for efficient rendering and an infinite level of detail. They have really cool applications.

Also in future, fractals may be used to improve cooling systems. As they provide infinite surface area in minimum volume, they can theoretically maximise the efficiency of transfer of heat.

[mr.least]

Unbelievable. I noticed this exact thing as a child, without a clue about fractals. My veins, lightning, and trees.

[phillydragonfly]

Our exterior anatomy is fractal, too. Our arms and legs branch out from our trunk, which then branches out into fingers.

[naveengautam]

My brain has formed fractal memories to efficiently learn about fractals.

[AceSpadeThePikachu]

You know what else we see a lot in nature, especially on large scales? Spheres. Because a sphere is in every way the exact opposite of a fractal; the maximum amount of volume packed into the smallest surface area. All planets and stars are roughly spherical because no one point on the surface of a sphere is further from the center than any other point, so it's the most stable shape for something with a lot of gravity. Likewise, bubbles and water droplets are round because they have a surface tension that wants to hold the finite amount of material as close to itself as possible.

[markzambelli]

A good analogy for Fractional Dimensionality is to crumple up a sheet of paper into a ball... the 3D ball is comprised of a 2D sheet with air gaps... it's 'D' lies somewhere between 2 and 3.
Self similarity is awesome... take a rough looking stone and hold it up infront of a far-off mountain and close one eye and their similarity is remarkable.

[Alasdair]

The fact nature always comes up with the most ingenious solutions to problems is truly astounding. It feels me with a sense of wonder and awe.

[davideverling]

man the Benoit B.(Benoit B.(…) Mandelbrot)Mandelbrot joke is phenomenal

[davideverling]

given that it neatly explains nearly all of these natural fractals, it seems odd to not talk about the fact that they all just follow the path of least resistance? as a kid i remember that the term “path of least resistance” allowed me to actually understand fractals in our world unlike explanations that just said that these systems somehow prefer maximum efficiency

[Aliessil]

Chaos Theory (the mathematics behind fractals) was my favourite module at university, and I've loved fractals ever since. That was over 30 years ago!

[_Geist]

this video scratches an itch that my brain has had for 30 years. thank you. :)

[mutanix]

My power flurries through the air into the ground
My souls is spiraling in frozen fractals all around...

[christupper]

Even the fungal network on the bark follows the same patterns 🍄

[mr.giggles]

I first noticed fractals when I took psilocybin mushrooms when I was younger, they were popping out everywhere. I've been obsessed ever since.

[munchkenzie]

I've always wondered why asphalt roads crack in the branching shape. I didn't start this video expecting an answer to that question but I'm so pleased I got one!

[geneseenelson]

I wrote my senior paper on fractals in nature. I love them!! It feels like you can find fractal dimensions everywhere, like country borders, lightning, and veins in leaves. They really the coolest thing possible.

[KierraKoeber]

I remember looking at a tree once and seeing the dendritic pattern and thinking if the whole thing were visible it’d probably look a lot like a neuron, then I read a bit about power laws but since I don’t know physics this video really summed it up for me pretty eloquently. Now I’ve just gotta know why different plants take on different leaf patterns!

[NewMessage]

That's why they call me "ol' Lightning Veins"

[iamthethis]

Fractals are the natural method of energetic sophistication in the Universe, and they all serve the same purpose and rule:
To expose itself through contrast, as without contrast, there is no progression.

[thebrainy]

Next Video idea:
Why some fruits, nuts and vegetables have similarities with our body organs, and eating them help the same organ they look like.👀