Herman Rubin wrote:
> Robert Frick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >Jerry Dallal wrote:
>
> >> Robert Frick wrote:
>
> >> > I know it is hard to make statistics fun, but FOLLOWING
> >> RULES IS NEVER
> >> > FUN. Not in math, not in games, nowhere.
>
> >> In math and in games, following rules isn't just fun,
> >> IT'S THE LAW. In fact, you can't have fun unless
> >> you follow them. :-)
>
> >Well, technically, most real rules tell you what not to do -- they
> >usually don't tell you what to do, because that isn't fun.
>
> This is well put. The rules describe what is allowed, but
> not which of the allowed possibilities to perform.
I can't help but feel we're using the word "rules" in different ways.
Any time you learn a new game, the first thing you learn is the rules,
a mix of can and can't do. ("The batter shall take his position within
the lines of the batter's box". The batter shall not have his entire
foot touching the ground completely oytside the lines of the batter's
box...") One of the reasons I enjoy mathematics
so much is that it is rule based. You follow the rules, you get to
someplace new. These new locations reached by following the rules are
called "publications". :-) 'Couse, that's also what makes it
tautological!
Happy holidays to all!
