If you thought that fractals were restricted to coastlines, clouds and cauliflowers – think again. Over the years (especially since the name ‘fractal’ was coined in the 1960’s ) investigators have been on the lookout for them, and have been finding them in quite unexpected places. Take, for example the US Constitution.
Researcher Daniel M Braun, writing in St. Louis University Public Law Review. 2013, Vol. 32 Issue 2, pp 389-410, explained that fractals might be deeply embedded in US supreme law – and had previously been unspotted :
“ ‘We the People’ are but three simple words that, in a fractal-like fashion, have generated a philosophical harmony that set the tone for the entire Constitution and the nation that it binds. Indeed, the fractal theory helps us to hear all of the Constitution’s tonal elements, understand its composition, appreciate how its clauses work in concert, and identify which of its notes, despite its overall majesty, are off key.”
See: CONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICALITY: STRUCTURE AND COHERENCE IN THE NATION’S SUPREME LAW.
Note: The word ‘PRACTICALITY’ in the linked title, should (almost certainly) be ‘FRACTICALITY’.
[Research research by Martin Gardiner]