Use and Abuse of Fractals

Abstract

The problem with a good name for a new (or resurrected) field, particularly one such as fractal theory which can be visually dramatic and practised without much background and sophistication, is that uninformed proselytising and inappropriate use can raise unrealistic expectations as to its relevance and applicability. Catastrophe theory is another example: its overzealous mathematical practitioners did considerable harm to the cause of interdisciplinary science. Although chaos and fractal theory have been proposed by some as biological panaceas fortunately there are enough realists to counter this view and generally keep them in perspective.