Name: Anonymous 2011-07-14 16:00
Lisp is based on mathematics, so if you deny the following, you are denying mathematics. Therefore, you are denying that Lisp is a great programming language, since Lisp's power comes from its roots in the Lambda Calculus (one can be be pedantic about whether or not logical structures like the Lambda Calculus are more philosophical than mathematical (in theory), but in most cases it is considered a part of mathematics).
The span of a collection of vectors is defined to be the set of all possible linear combinations of the vectors with scalars selected from some set (a field--usually the real numbers). For example, if you select vectors i = <1, 0> and j = <0, 1>, the collection of linear combinations ai + bj (for a, b real numbers) is every vector in the two-dimensional coordinate plane. Creating something so large using something so small is surprising but at the same time expected because of previous experience with vectors, say in Calculus. Now let's think about something whose words are very simple, say the love of God, and meditate on what the span of God's love might be. We read in Paul's letters to the Ephesians that he prays that they might 'have the power. . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.' So the span of God's love is really really big! Is this surprising? YES! Just think about our rebellion and sin--so it is a surprise that God should love us! Is this expected? Again, yes! We have models in our families and friends that demonstrate how broad a father's love for his children can be.
The span of a collection of vectors is defined to be the set of all possible linear combinations of the vectors with scalars selected from some set (a field--usually the real numbers). For example, if you select vectors i = <1, 0> and j = <0, 1>, the collection of linear combinations ai + bj (for a, b real numbers) is every vector in the two-dimensional coordinate plane. Creating something so large using something so small is surprising but at the same time expected because of previous experience with vectors, say in Calculus. Now let's think about something whose words are very simple, say the love of God, and meditate on what the span of God's love might be. We read in Paul's letters to the Ephesians that he prays that they might 'have the power. . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.' So the span of God's love is really really big! Is this surprising? YES! Just think about our rebellion and sin--so it is a surprise that God should love us! Is this expected? Again, yes! We have models in our families and friends that demonstrate how broad a father's love for his children can be.