Krimel, Excellent! But I seem to be in a labyrinth, and can't get there from here. No, actually I think Ron has got my number.
Marsha At 10:07 AM 6/12/2007, you wrote: >[Marsha] >Is there any difference in Value between zero (0) and one (1)? > >[Krimel] >Such a marvelously vague question sparking, such marvelously strange >answers. Of course my personal favorite so far is Platt's visions of >politically subversive numerology. > >It is tempting to offer the smart aleck answer that the difference is >precisely 1. (0 - 1 = 1) What the heck I will offer that, because it points >to something interesting. Both 0 and 1 have properties no other numbers >have. Many mathematical theorems begin by specifying the exceptions they >create. > >Zero multiplied by any number equals zero. >Zero added to any number equals that number >Zero subtracted from any number is that number >Zero divided by any number is undefined. > >One shares some similar properties: > >One multiplied by and number is that number >One divided by any number is that number. > >Other interesting points: > >One was the first number put to use in mathematics. >Zero was the last. (Ok almost the last, there are the negatives, i, infinity >and no doubt a few more) > >All of mathematics can be expressed with just these two numbers. > >But there is also the hint of the classic unanswered question of life the >universe and everything: Why is there something instead of nothing? > >In probability theory they are the extremes of certainty: Always and never. > >Numbers, any numbers, are symbols. They are abstractions that can be applied >to the real world in a host of ways. Their chief advantage as symbols is >that they offer precision. They allow us to specify certain unambiguous >properties in the relationship of things. > >They are unambiguous metaphors in that when two persons share a mathematical >understanding of particular relationships they achieve a unity of mind not >possible through other forms of communication. > >Two shepherds can count their flocks and agree with precision on who has >more sheep. Builders can construct edifices large and small based on their >common understanding of the mathematical relationships specified in an >architect's plans. Football fans can agree on which team won a game based on >the number of point each team accumulates. > >Number is Value. As Pirsig said in a letter to Bo: > >"Arguments that value is unreal can be reduced to absurdity by the question, >'Do you think a five dollar bill has the same value as an one dollar bill? >If so, are you willing to trade some bills?'" moq_discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
