Understanding Fibonacci in Nature

I have always wondered about the whole "Fibonacci spirals in nature" thing. Fibonacci numbers are the numbers generated when you add each previous two numbers to generate the next.

For example: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc. (1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, 3+5=8, 8+5=13, 8+13=21) 

But two things were always unclear to me:

1.  How are spirals in nature related to Fibonacci numbers? What is a Fibonacci spiral?

2.  Why do things tend to grow in these Fibonacci spirals? There must be a reason right?

Well, I came across an excellent Youtube series that explains this, and really well at that!

See below. It is a three part series and each video is only abou 6 minutes long. Definitely worth seeing. Quite amazing and ingenious. Thanks to ViHart.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

A fern fiddlehead showing the Fibonacci spiral

The leaf pattern of a Solidago spp. (Goldenrod) to optimize light capture.

You did it!

And with flying colors. (see to the right)

I don't have words. This is fantastic, and we are grateful beyond belief.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

There will be more updates soon. I will send out a survey for backers to fill out their addresses so that we know where to send postcards and rewards.

We fly out on the 20th.


All the best,

Luka and Phil

The glass is (almost!) half full

Many great thanks and much gratitude to everyone that has helped out so far.

I’m sure most of you thoroughly enjoy the comforts and aids that our technology brings us. I definitely do! It is fantastic to have the ability to connect with most people I know in just a matter of minutes; to have the largest library of knowledge humanity has ever known, and be able to carry it in my backpack! Not to mention traveling anywhere in the world within a day or two.

So don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against modern technology, I’ve just realized the importance of being aware of certain “side effects” this lifestyle can have on us. One side effect is that we are becoming dependent on these modern conveniences without retaining our traditional methods of sustenance.

This is where Philip and I come in. We hope to add a bridge between the traditional knowledge of homesteading and our modern world. Our project is the first step. The next step (and what I see as my own direction in life), is to help people understand why this old wisdom is so important in our lives. I truly believe we would live much healthier (mental and physical) lives if we each provided even a bit of our own sustenance. Help us get through this first step.

If 200 people each pledge only 12 dollars, we would reach our goal! That may sound like a lot of people, but if only 25 of you take a few minutes to send a personal email to only 10 friends, that's 250 new potential backers. And some might even pledge more than $12!

Below are some images from a photo essay I did a few years ago, titled: “Processing a Pig”