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XVIII
preface
I've attempted to make Surfing Through Hyperspace a strange journey that
unlocks the doors of your imagination with thought-provoking mysteries, puzzles,
and problems on topics ranging from hyperspheres to religion. A resource for
science-fiction aficionados, a playground for philosophers, an adventure and education
for mathematics students, each chapter is a world of paradox and mystery.
I hope my army of illustrators will also stimulate your imagination in ways
that mere words cannot. Imagery is at the heart of much of the work described
in this book. To better understand and contemplate the fourth dimension, we
need our eyes. To help visualize higher-dimensional geometrical structures like
hypercubes, I use computer graphics. To help visualize higher-dimensional
beings, I recruit artists from different backgrounds to produce visual representations
from myriad perspectives. For many of you, seeing hypothetical fourdimensional
beings, and their intersections with our ordinary three-dimensional
world, will clarify concepts. I often use the technique of explaining phenomena
in lower dimensions to help understand higher dimensions.
Why contemplate the appearance of four-dimensional beings and their
powers? Mathematicians and artists feel the excitement of the creative process
when they leave the bounds of the known to venture far into unexplored territory
lying beyond the prison of the obvious. When we imagine the powers of
hyperbeings, we are at the same time holding a mirror to ourselves, revealing
our own prejudices and preconceived notions. The fourth dimension appeals
to young minds, and I know of no better way to stimulate students than to
muse about higher-dimensional worlds. Creative minds love roaming freely
through the spiritual implications of the simple mathematics.
Could creatures be hiding out in the fourth dimension at this very moment
observing us? If you had the opportunity of stepping off into the fourth dimension,
even for a few minutes, and looking down on our world, would you do it?
(Before answering, remember that you would be peering into the steaming guts
of your best friends. You'll learn more about this unavoidable X-ray vision effect
later.) None of these questions can be answered to scientists', theologians,' or
psychologists' satisfaction. Yet the mere asking stretches our minds, and the continual
search for answers provides useful insights along the way.
As in all my previous books, you are encouraged to pick and choose from the
smorgasbord of topics. Many chapters are brief to give you just the tasty flavor of
a topic. Those of you interested in pursuing specific topics can find additional
information in the referenced publications. To encourage your involvement, the
book is loaded with numerous what-if questions for further thought. Spread the
spirit of this book by posing these questions to your students; to your priest,
rabbi, mullah, or congregation; to your buddies at the bowling alley and local