Fuzzy Logic

The digital computing world is built on a structure of Boolean logic applied to binary values -- one or zero, yes or no, in or out. But this powerful structure is a gross oversimplification of the real world, where many shades of gray exist between black and white. In everyday life, we use quasimetric notions that are clearly related to numerical concepts or values but lack precision or demarcation. If I'm a server time-stamping thousands of files, digital certificates or transactions, I need very fine distinctions. But if I'm asking a co-worker what time it is, do I really care that it's 11:49:54 a.m.