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Description
The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of ZeroA symbol for what is not there, an emptiness that increases any number it's added to, an inexhaustible and indispensable paradox. As we enter the year 2000, zero is once again making its presence felt. Nothing itself, it makes possible a myriad of calculations. Indeed, without zero mathematics as we know it would not exist. And without mathematics our understanding of the universe would be vastly impoverished. But where did this nothing, this hollow
A symbol for what is not there, an emptiness that increases any number it's added to, an inexhaustible and indispensable paradox. As we enter the year 2000, zero is once again making its presence felt. Nothing itself, it makes possible a myriad of calculations. Indeed, without zero mathematics as we know it would not exist. And without mathematics our understanding of the universe would be vastly impoverished. But where did this nothing, this hollow circle, come from? Who created it? And what, exactly, does it mean?Robert Kaplan's The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero begins as a mystery story, taking us back to Sumerian times, and then to Greece and India, piecing together the way the idea of a symbol for nothing evolved. Kaplan shows us just how handicapped our ancestors were in trying to figure large sums without the aid of the zero. (Try multiplying CLXIV by XXIV). Remarkably, even the Greeks, mathematically brilliant as they were, didn't have a zero--or did they? We follow the trail to the East where, a millennium or two ago, Indian mathematicians took another crucial step. By treating zero for the first time like any other number, instead of a unique symbol, they allowed huge new leaps forward in computation, and also in our understanding of how mathematics itself works.
In the Middle Ages, this mathematical knowledge swept across western Europe via Arab traders. At first it was called "dangerous Saracen magic" and considered the Devil's work, but it wasn't long before merchants and bankers saw how handy this magic was, and used it to develop tools like double-entry bookkeeping. Zero quickly became an essential part of increasingly sophisticated equations, and with the invention of calculus, one could say it was a linchpin of the scientific revolution. And now even deeper layers of this thing that is nothing are coming to light: our computers speak only in zeros and ones, and modern mathematics shows that zero alone can be made to generate everything.
Robert Kaplan serves up all this history with immense zest and humor; his writing is full of anecdotes and asides, and quotations from Shakespeare to Wallace Stevens extend the book's context far beyond the scope of scientific specialists. For Kaplan, the history of zero is a lens for looking not only into the evolution of mathematics but into very nature of human thought. He points out how the history of mathematics is a process of recursive abstraction: how once a symbol is created to represent an idea, that symbol itself gives rise to new operations that in turn lead to new ideas. The beauty of mathematics is that even though we invent it, we seem to be discovering something that already exists.
The joy of that discovery shines from Kaplan's pages, as he ranges from Archimedes to Einstein, making fascinating connections between mathematical insights from every age and culture. A tour de force of science history, The Nothing That Is takes us through the hollow circle that leads to infinity.
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 12/01/2000
ISBN: 9780195142372
Pages: 240
Weight: 0.58lbs
Size: 7.73h x 4.68w x 0.60d
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★★★★★ 5
Watch with day & date
Nice watch, light in weight. Looks good with the grey background.
Has the day and date too, just wish they were a little larger, for easier reading.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Amazing buy!
Love it. Very nice looking and seems to keep time well. Incredible value!!!! I really enjoy wearing this watch!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Es muy elegante
Color: 3316:white band white dial
The OUPINKE Automatic Two-Tone Skeleton Watch is a stylish timepiece that blends luxury design with mechanical craftsmanship. Its gold and silver stainless steel construction gives it an elegant, premium look suitable for both formal and casual occasions.
Design & Appearance:
This watch stands out with its two-tone bracelet and gold-accented bezel, creating a bold and sophisticated aesthetic. The dial features crystal-style hour markers, multiple subdials, and a visible skeleton window at the bottom that showcases the internal movement. These details add a high-end feel often associated with more expensive watches.
Movement & Performance:
It uses an automatic mechanical movement, which means it winds itself through the motion of your wrist—no battery required. This is a major advantage for watch enthusiasts who appreciate traditional watchmaking. The watch also includes useful calendar features such as day, date, and month indicators.
Build Quality:
The stainless steel case and bracelet feel solid and durable. The polished finish enhances its luxury appeal, although like most polished watches, it may show fingerprints or small scratches over time.
Comfort:
Despite its robust design, the watch is comfortable to wear. The bracelet is well-balanced, and the clasp keeps it secure on the wrist.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Exceptional quality
I have only had the watch for a few days, but Oupinke watches are very high quality. It keeps time very well and serves as an attention grabber. Great value for the money. It isn't easy to determine where it was made, but it is a Chinese company. Don't stop there with preconceived ideas about cheap products and low quality from China. These watches are exceptional, high-end, and dedicated to creating a brand that endures and stands for quality, rather than simply turning a profit. I would put this watch against those that cost 3-4 times as much. If you are a watch enthusiast, they are worth adding to your collection.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Value
Color: GZ3255Z:Two tone band&Blue dial
Higher quality than I expected, especially for the price.
I have recieved lots of compliments, but I have never told anyone what I paid for it.
I use it for a daily wear, and when I go out for dinner.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2025