[math-fun] Proofs that computers cannot have a sense of humour
Theorem: It is impossible for a computer to have a sense of humour. Proof 1: Note that computers cannot determine whether general Diophantine equations have solutions. For a general Diophantine equation given by D(x_1, ..., x_n) = 0, consider the following sentence J: J = "Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 min{8 + D(x_1, ..., x_n)^2 | x_1, ..., x_n in Z} 9." Then J is humorous if and only if D(x_1, ..., x_n) = 0 has a solution. Proof 2: It is undecidable to determine whether a group with presentation P is the trivial group. Now apply the same proof to the following sentence K: "What's purple and has presentation P? The trivial grape." Then K is humorous if and only if P is a presentation for {e}. Sincerely, Adam P. Goucher
="Adam P. Goucher" <apgoucher@gmx.com> Theorem: It is impossible for a computer to have a sense of humour.
Heh, too late, joke's already on us: "We already have prodigious cybernetic machines far superior to the people using them; they even get away with serious pranks on the scientists employing them for their questionable programming, for sometimes the computers act like cretins, which is a marvelous retort to the insufferable logic of human beings." --Salvador Dali, c. 1969
participants (2)
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Adam P. Goucher -
Marc LeBrun