> the word evoked the notion of a new kind of geometry — something fragmented, fractional or broken.
But that's not what "fractal" means; it means "fractional dimension". To say the word "fractal" evoked something is subjective - evoked it for whom?
But that's not what "fractal" means; it means "fractional dimension". To say the word "fractal" evoked something is subjective - evoked it for whom?
Fractal art of all kinds was part of a certain trend in 80s/90s culture, which also influenced the look of the early Internet. And electronic dance music, clubs, and raves.
It was maximalist, psychedelic, colourful, busy, inclusive, recursive, and complex.
Whatever the math was doing, it was a very popular signifier of certain kinds of experience.
I suspect it's not a surprise that if faded into the background when the Internet began to commercialise and blandify in the later 90s.
Compare to the etymology section here