‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

Phyllotaxis: An audio-reactive LED display

354 points · 50 comments · evakhoury

  1. shevy-java · · focus · HN ↗
    I don't like the word phyllotaxis.

    I understand it was inspired by <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Phyllotaxis" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Phyllotaxis, but arrangement on leaves serves the purpose of growth in a specific niche. The pattern arises because naturally leaves serve to capture light - see the images on wikipedia there. Phyllo means green. The LEDs used here do not really tap into any of that, and the name is also a misnomer. That&#x27;s not good.

    1. pierrec · · focus · HN ↗
      The pattern in OP&#x27;s project can be called phyllotaxis. This is supported by the link you provide which gives even looser examples that are still described as &quot;exhibiting phyllotaxis&quot;. A lot of words refer to nature if you look into semantics, not surprising if you consider the amount of beautiful and useful patterns it gives us.
Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.