42
As some of you may be aware, according to Douglas Adams the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, is 42. The question, paraphrased, is what is 6 times 9?
At first glance, this seems like a ridiculous statement, and that's certainly fitting with the rest of the book. However, if we start looking for ways in which the answer fits the question, it becomes clear that 6 * 9 = 42 only iff you're using a base-13 counting system. This has the inference that life, the universe, and everything, really operates in a base-13 reality (as opposed to base-10 which we commonly use, or base-2 or base-16 which are both common for computers).
What are the consequences of this?
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David,
Tuesday, 5-3-05 1:05 PM
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re: 42
Despite the fact that I don't care, you mean?
;)
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Tauna,
Tuesday, 5-3-05 1:58 PM
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re: 42
It means we're living in a fundamentally unlucky universe.
And also an irrational one. I mean, I can't think of a numbering system w/ an odd-numbered base could be actually *usefull.*
Also, your statement "only iff" is redundant. I am sure you know why.
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Annette,
Tuesday, 5-3-05 4:47 PM
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re: 42
> Also, your statement "only iff" is redundant. I am sure you
> know why.
Yes, I know why. *sigh* It's what I get for revising my message without reading things through at the end to make sure I've actually written what I want to write.
And Tauna, I know you really do care quite deeply.
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David,
Wednesday, 5-4-05 11:47 AM
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re: 42
What did you score on that geek test again Dave ? I want a re-count.
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kyle,
Monday, 5-9-05 3:34 PM
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re: 42
I took my points for all Hitchhiker-related questions, as well as for all relevant mathematical questions.
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David,
Tuesday, 5-10-05 1:33 PM
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