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Very simply, Mario Livio’s book The Golden Ratio traces the history of the number phi (see above, although it’s actually infinite). As my first extra-curricular book on mathematics, it was quite interesting, but not enough to make me want to pick up another one. Basically, beginning with the time of Pythagoras, the Golden Ratio has been found in countless corners of our world: the Great Pyramids, sunflowers, mollusks, crystals, galaxies, Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”, Dali’s “Sacrament of the Last Supper;” possibly even the rise and fall of the stock market (watch the movie Pi if you're interested).

Other than a general appreciation for mathematicians, I took away two things from the book:

1) “I see a certain order in the universe and math is one way of making it visible” (May Sarton). I find this to be true, and I notice it more now that I have read this book. I kind of get the sense that behind everything there is a stream of numbers and equations and principles (miracles excluded). I think someone has said that “Mathematics is the language of God,” and if you believe (a) that he “upholds all things by the word of his power” (Hebrew 1:3), and you also believe (b) that the universe normally operates according to mathematical principles, then maybe this is true in a way.

2) Pythagoras was a really interesting guy. He was so interesting that he even had a cult following that adhered to his rigorous ethical code and philosophy of life. He said, “Most men and women, by birth or nature, lack the means to advance in wealth and power, but all have the ability to advance in knowledge.” Now, let me just say that I think this is only partially true; I can think of ways of arguing that most people can advance in wealth or power, and also that many people do not really have the ability to advance in knowledge, but let’s put the false part of the statement aside for a minute and look at the true part. Those of you who know me well know that the desire to advance in knowledge has been somewhat of a blessing and a curse for me. I have a sense of urgency to learn as much as possible about as many things as possible, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it has also led me to bring my large MCAT prep book on the put-put course, which is quite simply a silly thing to do. We can all learn from Pythagoras here though. Keeping a healthy dose of sheer pleasure/relaxation/entertainment in your life, take the steps necessary to advance your knowledge in a new sector of our world. Mechanics, agriculture, mathematics, history, anthropology, theology, culinary arts, computer technology, you name it. Don’t waste your precious time on earth! I would think serving God and others would be of primary concern, but after that advance in knowledge!