"1/0" by Yanga

1/0 The amusing thing about Mathematics is its casual ability to explain ideas that are impossible and – sometimes – literally out of this world. It gives names to the unnameable and discusses it nonchalantly. There are infinities between every number, within every equation, symbolized by lines and arrows. Galaxies can be denounced by mere numbers; can turn the universe into digits. Something can be divided by nothing, creating a value so unexplainable, sometimes perceived infinite, and it’s labelled undefined. Its gift can solve the unsolvable; transform the enormous and unknown into something tangible, existing and genuine. It’s like words, except it doesn’t only give it a name, but defines it. That’s hope. It’s something abstract and ‘mythical’, yet possible like love.

The ultimate root of all of our problems is hopelessness. Many say its money or the government, but even if we do have the solutions, what use it could be if no one has to initiative to solve anything? Also, there’s the fact that hate and pain are too surprisingly real; it overshadows the existence of its opposites. Humans assume that everything is black and white, or rather, just black. But our world is grey, varying only with how light and dark are its shades.

People are like that. They are capable of both accomplishing something bad or good. Hope exists as long as the goodness in people does. Mathematics is its living testimony. It makes the sky within reach, the heart accessible, and the world comprehensive, as long as we hope and make that into more than a hidden thought.

In order to attain that distant yet close dream, we must share hope first.

First, change yourself for how can you explain why a circle has infinite number of lines of symmetry if you yourself don’t know why? You could start simple, like smiling at everyone

you pass by, hoping that they’d smile back. You may do something like dyeing – no, shaving – your hair because you wish that people will not define you by your appearance. Then, attempt something drastic, like walking with your hands. You can say, ‘I want to see the world in a different perspective. You should try it too.’

You don’t have to follow these unorthodox examples. They are such because our universe is constantly changing – like that of the numbers of pi – and one must catch up. Not only the peculiar catches the eye, but also adhering to the society’s ideals yields unsatisfactory results. Therefore, the course of action must be the opposite. Your aim is to fulfil our goal: to display your confidence and overflowing belief in what you hope for. Hook them with something unusual and then inspire them with what you’ve to say.

Next, express yourself. If you know how to look for the values of sine, why not teach it?

Focus on your immediate vicinity. Express how hope must be surfaced within one’s self by convincing your Mom to take that promotion or by helping your friend with their homework.

Hope is believing in the best in people. Prove all who don’t believe in hope wrong, by showing that there’s something to hope for. If they say hoping is useless, that to see, hear, touch, smell and taste are to believe, that it’s for those who cannot do anything for themselves, prove them wrong. Prove them wrong until they’ve got no more arguments left and can do nothing but follow in your footsteps.

Lastly, share yourself. How people can ask of your help, if no one knows that you understand the Euclidean Algorithm? Vulnerability is something humans collectively possess and despise. Take advantage of the information. In showing the most secreted and revered part of yourself, you display your strength in revealing your weakness. Your deficiencies do not define

you but it’s you that define them. No one can have power over you, other than yourself. Share perhaps why you hope for a better tomorrow. Some might say it’s unrealistic and blanch at you, others may laugh and mock it, most will ignore it, but there is still that minority who’s willing to understand and listen. Believe that everyone’s capable in hoping; they’re just too stubborn to admit it. Retaliate by being more stubborn a hundredfold.

Don’t waste your resources and talents. Exhaust it—without this exploitation causing anyone or anything harm, of course. Push yourself to the limit, like how you push others to theirs.

Social media is an eagerly awaiting vessel for ideas, not just statuses or information on your crush. Post your opinions and experiences online, so that it may be accessible globally. If you have a flare with the arts, you may post posters and the like. If you’re into sports, go ahead and participate in fun runs or charity events. If you have spare money, why not donate?

Change. Express. Share. These are the main components to make the world hope more.

But more especially, just hope. Hope in what’s good, right and just. Hope in love and miracles.

Hope in infinities and the undefined made definable.

Plato believes in the notion that the idea of something is more real than that of the actual object. The idea of an apple is more real than that of an apple, because it will eventual be either eaten or wither away. The idea becomes more absolute. But it could just stay that, an idea.

Hope shouldn’t stay as an idea. It shouldn’t be something that’s just possible but not quite there. It should be alive; thriving within our very beings. I may be wishing for something that might never be, but that’s hoping isn’t it? Trying to change the world when you can’t even

change yourself? Trying to express your hopes through mathematical concepts that no one cares to understand? Trying to share through an article, when even I hate hearing my own voice?

Isn’t that hoping? Trying even when you know you won’t succeed?

It’s amusing how Plato liked math, too.