a post about math: small ordinals

[wjl]

I think i've come up with a new (to me) conceptualization of the ordinal ε0. It goes like this:

1. Start by imagining 0.
2. Then, repeatedly:
   
   
   1. Imagine an indexed family of successor functions Sα, one for each element you've imagined so far, and
   2. Imagine applying each of those successor functions in every way possible to every element you've imagined so far,

Comments

[wjl]

Step 1 *is* pretty interesting! Why must we start from something rather than nothing?

Does it help at all if you pretend you're reading it in a Rudy Rucker book? :)

[wjl]

maybe i will try it in person, if you're willing :) the math words have simple meanings, but they are definitely jargonny buzzwords..