In which Tory's subconscious produces Wizarding computers...

[letterblade]

So in my dream last night, I was talking with somebody--likely cktraveler--about random aspects of the Potterverse, and somehow, in dream logic, somebody was asking us what we thought the general computational ability of the wizarding world was. cktraveler asked, "in integer or floating point?"

And I remember sitting for a moment in thought, and then jumping to my feet with sudden inspiration and pointing and yelping, "Maybe THAT'S what Arithmancy is!" (For this is a question we frequently ask--what the hell is Arithmancy?) Because I'd suddenly had this theory of Arithmancy being, at least in part, the fine art of building magical calculation machines, little complicated buzzing and levitating and clicking wizarding computers, with parts all Transfigured and Charmed to do their job, and probably, yes, able to do quite impressive floating point calculations.

And I had the image of the first Arithmancy class, with the mysterious Professor Vector--who remained of indeterminate gender, with short very dark brown hair, and had a teaching style somewhat like a laid-back and friendly Snape, even sometimes cracking a very dry joke. Prerequisites of at least an A in both Transfiguration and Charms, for making the stuff--though of course this was dream logic, as that's OWL grading and you start Arithmancy in third year if you opt for it... Students were in majority Ravenclaw, and also, surprisingly enough, in majority women, with a few Huffles and Gryffies scattered here and there, and in the back corner, two dark-haired, fifth-year Slytherin girls, very dykeish and seriously focused. (Srsly. In this dream Arithmancy was totally the dyke class.) At this point it was like I was plotting a ficlet, though I could not tell whether Hermione or Albus was the viewpoint character...

cktraveler, in the dream, disagreed strongly, in part because she didn't think something as specific as making computers would be a Hogwarts subject in its own right. But I thought, and still think upon waking, that this idea is so bloody cool that it makes me incoherent.

Sorry for the nonexistence, by the way. Have been going through an introvert phase, and also putting most of my non-work energies (and work is exhausting!) into prep work for Hallowed.

Speaking of which, character profile and backstory ficlet for Merope! Go! Bask in the misery!

Comments

[slipjig.livejournal.com]

Okay, you are going to write this cyberPotter fic, yes?

[ineffablewombat.livejournal.com]

I suspect that you'd need quite a lot of mathematical theory to put together a magical computer- perhaps Arithmancy is the general magical perspective on mathematics, and building magical computers is something that you do for NEWTs in Arithmancy!

[jiggliusceasar.livejournal.com]

I always figured that Arithmancy was the study of any number-based mysticism, such as gematria/kaballah or isopsephy - more like Divination, but with more math and less tea leaves.

That said, I'd also like to see the magical computer story.

[ursula]

That was my thought, too. But a kabbalistic computer would be pretty sweet.

[jiggliusceasar.livejournal.com]

As long as it doesn't turn out like the MAGI in Evangelion...

(yes, I know that there's nothing kabbalistic about the MAGI other than random images in the opening, but it was still the first thing that popped into my head.)

[marmota.livejournal.com]

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/071807-hogwarts-it-director.html

[kickair8p.livejournal.com]

Although I haven't given much thought to computers, I have wondered what it would take to bring TV (with the cultural crossover that would imply) into the wizarding world. I was thinking magic mirrors or crystal balls for screens.

But if you're gonna give computing + magic a go (please!), you might wanna take a look at the only (that I know of) prior art on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Cook#Wizardry_series





~

[kickair8p.livejournal.com]

And note the link at the bottom of that page -- the first two books are available free at the Baen Free Library. That should give you the basics of the concepts involved -- Cook did a really good job, no matter what direction you go in you wanna give this a look.





~

[jiggliusceasar.livejournal.com]

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0376.html ?

[iibnf.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday, Liz, hope it's fabulous!

[featheredfrog.livejournal.com]

Charmed to do their job, and probably, yes, able to do quite impressive floating point calculations.

-- while floating! Floating-Floating-Point Calculations!

[mattador.livejournal.com]

This fic must be writ.