Stories with Tag Bibliography

• Mathematical Fiction

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  Posted: 2025-05-25 12:38:27

  Verbose tl;dr

  This website compiles a list of fictional works that incorporate mathematical concepts, theorems, or personalities. It categorizes these works by mathematical topic, including number theory, logic, geometry, infinity, and more, offering a brief description of each work and how it relates to mathematics. The intent is to provide a resource for educators and enthusiasts interested in exploring the intersection of mathematics and storytelling, showcasing how mathematical ideas can be presented in engaging and accessible ways. The list encompasses various formats, such as novels, plays, short stories, and films.

  The website entitled "Mathematical Fiction" meticulously catalogs works of fiction that incorporate mathematical concepts, themes, or figures into their narratives. This comprehensive compendium aims to be an exhaustive resource for enthusiasts of both literature and mathematics, serving as a bridge between these seemingly disparate fields. It provides an extensively categorized list of fictional works, ranging from novels and short stories to plays and films, that engage with mathematics in a variety of ways. The categorization system employed is granular, allowing users to navigate the collection based on specific mathematical topics, such as algebra, geometry, logic, or chaos theory. Furthermore, the works are also classified by the prominence of the mathematical content, differentiating between narratives where mathematics plays a central role versus those where it merely serves as a backdrop or a passing reference.

  Within each entry, the website offers a concise synopsis of the plot, highlighting the particular mathematical elements present in the story. These summaries provide a glimpse into how the authors have woven mathematical ideas into the fabric of their fictional worlds, be it through characters who are mathematicians, puzzles and problems that drive the plot, or explorations of abstract mathematical concepts as metaphors for human experience. The entries also frequently include bibliographic information, enabling interested readers to easily locate and acquire the works themselves. In its entirety, "Mathematical Fiction" presents a fascinating panorama of the intersection between mathematical thought and creative expression, demonstrating the myriad ways in which the precision and elegance of mathematics can inspire and enrich the world of storytelling. It offers a valuable tool for anyone seeking to explore this intriguing nexus and discover fictional narratives that delve into the beauty and complexity of mathematics. The website's ongoing maintenance and updates suggest a dedicated effort to keep this resource current and comprehensive, reflecting the dynamic and ever-expanding nature of both mathematical and literary endeavors.

  • mathematics
  • Fiction
  • Literature
  • Math
  • books
  • stories
  • novels
  • Science Fiction
  • fantasy
  • mathematical concepts
  • Education
  • reading list
  • Bibliography
  • resource

  Summary of Comments ( 1 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44087390

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users generally enjoyed the linked resource of mathematical fiction. Several pointed out missing entries, like Greg Egan's "Permutation City" and Ted Chiang's "Division by Zero," with some debating whether the latter truly qualified as mathematical fiction. Others discussed the definition of "mathematical fiction," suggesting it explores mathematical ideas rather than simply featuring mathematicians. The prevalence of time travel as a theme was noted, linked to its mathematical underpinnings. Finally, some users offered further recommendations like the works of Rudy Rucker and the "Manifold" trilogy.

  The Hacker News post titled "Mathematical Fiction" links to a website listing books and short stories categorized as mathematical fiction. The discussion in the comments section is relatively brief, with only a handful of contributions. No single comment stands out as particularly compelling due to the limited engagement.

  One commenter mentions a book titled "Incandescence" by Greg Egan, highlighting the book's exploration of physics through the perspective of alien life forms. They categorize it as "hard" science fiction.

  Another commenter questions the definition of mathematical fiction and wonders if books like "Flatland" or stories incorporating concepts like tessellation qualify. They suggest that a crucial aspect might be the "aha!" moment of insight derived from mathematical understanding.

  A third commenter recommends a short story, "Division by Zero" by Ted Chiang, focusing on the psychological impact of discovering a proof that contradicts fundamental mathematical axioms. They mention its exploration of existential dread and its availability online.

  Finally, another commenter laments the prevalence of time travel themes in supposedly mathematical fiction, expressing a desire for stories exploring alternative mathematical systems or the societal implications of advanced math. They mention Greg Egan's "Diaspora" as an example that touches on these themes.

  In essence, the comments section consists mainly of recommendations for works readers consider mathematical fiction, coupled with brief discussions on the definition and desired direction of the genre. The limited number of comments doesn't allow for a deep or highly engaging discourse.

• Show HN: celine/bibhtml: a Web Components referencing system for HTML documents

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  Posted: 2024-12-18 13:23:15

  Verbose tl;dr

  celine/bibhtml introduces a set of web components designed to simplify creating and managing references within HTML documents. It leverages a bibliography file (BibTeX or CSL-JSON) to generate citations and a bibliography list automatically. By using custom HTML tags, authors can easily insert citations and the library dynamically renders them with links to the full bibliographic entry. This approach aims to offer a more integrated and streamlined workflow compared to traditional methods for handling references in web pages.

  Maximilian Boeker has introduced "celine/bibhtml," a novel referencing system implemented using Web Components, designed specifically for HTML documents. This system offers a streamlined approach to managing and displaying bibliographic references within web pages, leveraging the modularity and reusability inherent in the Web Components architecture.

  Instead of relying on external JavaScript libraries or complex build processes, celine/bibhtml utilizes custom HTML elements to encapsulate the citation and bibliography functionality. This allows for a more declarative and integrated approach to referencing, directly within the HTML structure of the document. Authors can define a bibliography section using the <biblio> tag and then insert citations within the text using the <cite> tag, referencing entries within the bibliography.

  The system intelligently handles the formatting and presentation of citations and the bibliography, automatically generating numbered references and linking them to the corresponding entries. This removes the burden of manual formatting and ensures consistency across the document. The displayed format of the citations and bibliography is customizable through CSS, allowing users to tailor the appearance to match their specific stylistic requirements or existing website themes.

  Furthermore, celine/bibhtml is designed to be lightweight and performant, minimizing overhead and ensuring a smooth user experience. By avoiding external dependencies and focusing on a core set of Web Components, the system remains efficient and easy to integrate into any HTML project. This makes it an attractive alternative to more complex referencing solutions, particularly for smaller projects or those prioritizing simplicity and performance. Essentially, it offers a self-contained and efficient method for handling references within web documents, promoting cleaner, more maintainable HTML and a more integrated referencing workflow.

  • Web Components
  • html
  • Referencing
  • Bibliography
  • Citation
  • Academic Writing
  • javascript
  • client-side
  • bibtex
  • celine
  • bibhtml
  • Open Source
  • Tool
  • Library
  • Web Development
  • Citations
  • Scholarly Writing
  • In-Browser Bibliography
  • Dynamic Bibliography
  • Bibliographic Management
  • web application

  Summary of Comments ( 9 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42450232

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users generally praised the project for its simplicity and ease of use compared to existing citation tools. Several commenters appreciated the focus on web standards and the avoidance of JavaScript frameworks, leading to a lightweight and performant solution. Some suggested potential improvements, such as incorporating DOI lookups, customizable citation styles (like Chicago or MLA), and integration with Zotero or other reference managers. The discussion also touched on the benefits of using native web components and the challenges of rendering complex citations correctly within the flow of HTML. One commenter noted the similarity to the ::cite pseudo-element, suggesting the project could explore leveraging that functionality. Overall, the reception was positive, with many expressing interest in using or contributing to the project.

  The Hacker News post discussing "celine/bibhtml: a Web Components referencing system for HTML documents" has a moderate number of comments, exploring various aspects and potential use cases of the project.

  Several commenters express initial interest and praise for the project's concept. One user highlights the potential of using such a system for internal documentation, envisioning a scenario where documentation resides alongside the code it describes. Another user appreciates the modern approach of using Web Components, contrasting it with older methods like embedding PDFs for documentation.

  A recurring theme in the discussion revolves around the practicality and integration of the system. One commenter questions the ease of citing specific parts of the referenced HTML document, prompting the original poster (OP) to clarify the existing functionality and potential future enhancements for more granular referencing. The OP explains that currently, whole-document references are supported, but referencing specific elements within the document is a planned feature. Another user raises a concern about the robustness of linking within HTML documents, especially considering potential changes in the structure of the referred document, suggesting that relying on stable identifiers would be more resilient.

  A few comments explore alternative approaches and existing tools. One commenter mentions using a similar system based on iframes, acknowledging its drawbacks but highlighting its simplicity. Another suggests exploring existing Javascript libraries for footnotes, hinting that similar functionality might already exist.

  Some users delve into the technical details. One commenter inquires about the handling of broken links, leading to a discussion about error handling and potential fallback mechanisms. Another user discusses the possibilities of extending the system to support different reference styles, such as Chicago or MLA.

  Finally, a couple of comments touch upon the broader implications of the project. One user envisions a future where academic papers are published directly in HTML, enabling richer interactions and dynamic content. Another commenter highlights the potential benefits for documentation versioning and maintenance, particularly in rapidly evolving software projects.

  In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post demonstrate a generally positive reception to the "celine/bibhtml" project. While acknowledging potential challenges related to practicality, integration, and robustness, the discussion explores several compelling use cases and highlights the potential for innovation in documentation and referencing within HTML documents.