dempsey@KODAK.COM (Richard C. Dempsey) (02/13/90)
Specifically, I am writing in reply to Ricardo Salvador's call for Benoit Mandelbrot's response to the claim that Brooks and Matelski found the M-set first. As scientists, our first concern should be that we properly and completely understand nature. This is a cooperative endeavor that has worked to the overall benefit of mankind for centuries. Admittedly, some ideas have had more difficulty than others gaining acceptance, and in that light, some appropriate publicity is a necessary part of the process. BUT, if one is more concerned about who gets the credit (or the blame) than about understanding, then I feel that he is wasting our time and energy, and obstructing progress towards that understanding. Since this is my opinion, it appears to me from my reading of 'The Fractal Geometry of Nature' that Mandelbrot protests a bit too much, and I, for one find it somewhat tiresome. It detracts from an otherwise excellent, thought provoking book. Further, Mandelbrot has already written many times on the topic of "what did he know and when did he know it". I think that we have sufficient direction from him into the historical record. Let's encourage Mandelbrot to continue to think about the application of fractals and how we can use fractals to understand and to solve problems. Let all of us work together to build a rich and satisfying body of knowledge, large enough to contain ample credit for all. Leave off this fingerpointing. Down that path lies only bitterness and sorrow. Rich Dempsey