Twentieth Century Trees

"Twentieth Century Trees" is a metafictional concept introduced by author Douglas Hofstadter, inspired by the idea of imagining a forest of trees where each tree represents a different pattern or sequence from the 20th century. Essentially, it visualizes how countless interconnected ideas, events, and cultural developments form a complex "forest." This metaphor helps us understand the vast web of historical and intellectual connections that shape our understanding of the 20th century, emphasizing the intricate, layered nature of history and knowledge as a dynamic, interconnected system rather than isolated facts.