Re: [math-fun] a certain crop circle and 10 digits of Pi in uk
The article praised the fact that the E.T.'s had even rounded the last digit (up) correctly. They *also* used an ellipsis at the end to show that "pi is infinite" -- OK, that its decimal expansion is infinite. But these are not very bright E.T.'s, since one should EITHER round the last digit (and indicate that this is only an approximation), OR use ellipsis to show the digits continue . . . but NOT both! --Dan _____________________________________________________________________ "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that certain je ne sais quoi." --Peter Schickele
Think about it. If this crop circle were made by aliens, then - These aliens are versed in mathematics. - These aliens use base 10 numerals. - These aliens use decimal fractions. - These aliens use an ellipsis mark similar to our own. - These aliens attach significance to the constant pi. - These aliens prefer pi to, for example, the more fundamental 2pi. Unless these cultural choices are more fundamental than they at first appear, we must assume - These aliens are aware of humans and human culture. Futhermore - These aliens are intelligent. - These aliens are able to communicate with humans. - These aliens use advanced technology to effect physical changes on Earth. Presumably, these aliens are intelligent beings interested in communications with our species. It would make sense that they would try to tell us who and where they are, as we did with the Pioneer plaque. Yet they seem to prefer to use an obscure and senseless communication medium to tell us things we already know. Seriously.
Everything you say males eminent sense but I think crop circles are just about the only genuine mystery among a whole bunch of pseudo=paranormal rubbish that people believe in. I don't think they're made by aliens but humans making them, if the reported details are true, is also extremely unlikely. But possible! Steve Gray -----Original Message----- From: math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of David Wilson Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 12:29 PM To: Dan Asimov; math-fun Subject: Re: [math-fun] a certain crop circle and 10 digits of Pi in uk Think about it. If this crop circle were made by aliens, then - These aliens are versed in mathematics. - These aliens use base 10 numerals. - These aliens use decimal fractions. - These aliens use an ellipsis mark similar to our own. - These aliens attach significance to the constant pi. - These aliens prefer pi to, for example, the more fundamental 2pi. Unless these cultural choices are more fundamental than they at first appear, we must assume - These aliens are aware of humans and human culture. Futhermore - These aliens are intelligent. - These aliens are able to communicate with humans. - These aliens use advanced technology to effect physical changes on Earth. Presumably, these aliens are intelligent beings interested in communications with our species. It would make sense that they would try to tell us who and where they are, as we did with the Pioneer plaque. Yet they seem to prefer to use an obscure and senseless communication medium to tell us things we already know. Seriously. _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
I might be willing to admit that there are some very simple crop circles whose origin is worthy of questioning. However, if a crop circle has anything more complicated than a simple circular geometry, it's manmade. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Gray" <stevebg@roadrunner.com> To: "'math-fun'" <math-fun@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 4:56 PM Subject: Re: [math-fun] a certain crop circle and 10 digits of Pi in uk
Everything you say males eminent sense but I think crop circles are just about the only genuine mystery among a whole bunch of pseudo=paranormal rubbish that people believe in. I don't think they're made by aliens but humans making them, if the reported details are true, is also extremely unlikely. But possible!
Steve Gray
Yes they are made by humans, ok let's admit that, but I wonder : what is the method of construction they use ? some drawings are quite complex and they have 100 meters in diameter : How can you use simple tools to do that ? This is the puzzle for me. Simon Plouffe
You may find the answer you're looking for here: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/resources/pseudobib03.html If you don't get enough clarity from the resources there, let me know and I'll track down something more specific. --Joshua Zucker On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 5:15 PM, Simon Plouffe <simon.plouffe@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes they are made by humans, ok let's admit that, but I wonder : what is the method of construction they use ? some drawings are quite complex and they have 100 meters in diameter : How can you use simple tools to do that ? This is the puzzle for me.
Not to mention what their motive might be. I'm not saying I'm a convinced believer in an extraordinary origin, but if the earthly constructors are after publicity, why haven't they ever stepped forward and claimed credit (except for a few exceptions which don't account for more than a fraction)? And why have they persisted for 20 years? There's no money in it. Steve Gray -----Original Message----- From: math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Simon Plouffe Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:15 PM To: math-fun Subject: [math-fun] method of construction : crop circles Yes they are made by humans, ok let's admit that, but I wonder : what is the method of construction they use ? some drawings are quite complex and they have 100 meters in diameter : How can you use simple tools to do that ? This is the puzzle for me. Simon Plouffe _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun
participants (5)
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Dan Asimov -
David Wilson -
Joshua Zucker -
Simon Plouffe -
Stephen Gray