At Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Skippy objected to the term “blogosphere”, because nothing in the internet is truly “spherical”. I countered, with citations of “sphere of influence,” and “magnetosphere“.
Skippy still takes issue. But, as this point it is a digression from the main thrust of his (her?) thread, I thought we might take it up here. Oh, and BTW: anyone looking for a REALLY cool graphic of the magnetophere should go here: http://www.pparc.ac.uk/Nw/Magnetosphere.jpg
The internet is not a three-dimensional domain, nor is its topology constant. Because of this, comparisons to real-world shapes are generally meaningless.
However, under normal circumstances, the only sane person who’d really care would be a topologist. Consequently, use the term ’sphere’ if it’s convenient to do so, let the opposition waste a few days to generate a formal mathematical analysis proving you wrong, then counter with the comment that you were using verbal shorthand for ’spherical to a first approximation’ which in mathematician-speak approximates ‘rough guess’. That should shut them up.
Comment by Mark Rosenbaum — 20050630 @ 1820
Oh bravo, Mark. Except, I think the proper terminology would be: “spherical to a first-order approximation.” No?
Comment by Kevin Connors — 20050630 @ 2047
Is it “topology” or “topography”?
Just asking….
Comment by Joe Comer — 20050701 @ 0054
Topology. Topography is something altogether different.
Comment by Kevin Connors — 20050701 @ 0107
The internet is more of a Venn diagram
Comment by Rodney Dill — 20050701 @ 0555
I’ll bet you could make the Internet spherical — the coordinate system would be mindbending, though. (And topologically a coffee cup is a donut, too.) You have to watch out for those math types and always make sure you lock the door behind you after you visit. Remember, Math departments are cheaper than mental institutions!
Comment by bad cat robot — 20050701 @ 1103
So it’s a Blog-o-blob.
Mmmm, blobs-o-blogs.
Comment by Sigivald — 20050701 @ 1142
Electronic impulses from people that have way too much time on their hands was my first choice, but nobody asked me.
Comment by Adraine — 20050704 @ 0325