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The Problem with Arabic Numerals

It seems to be the greatest problem with Arabic numerals is that notation for each number does not systematically compound on the previous number. By which I mean that you cannot simply move from 1 to 2 to 3, et cetera by adding a new mark or stroke. Instead, each sequential numeral is rather different from the previous. Which has the consequence of not being able to create a tattoo for one's age that is easy to update each year.
– Posted: June 08, 2010, 03:03 pm
2 Responses to The Problem with Arabic Numerals

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hash marks?  very “shawshank redemption”.

By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 08, 2010, 07:22 pm

Hash marks would be too depressing. As with Shawshank, it would be more like you are either counting your days to release, by death or parole.

If you must do something like this, consider his geeky nature.  Maybe something like an embedded LED which counts down from predicted age of death.  It could even adjust for events such as major health problems, drug binges and risky sex.

Another idea might be an embedded chip in his brain which connects to satellite with geo-location.  He could build an API for it (call it Paulapi) so that we could build fun apps like “random obscenities” and set it to go off on holidays where he is likely to be spending time with his family.

By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 18, 2010, 02:25 am
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Paul is that guy you see in a coffee shop staring out the window, idly scratching the tip of his nose, and humming the theme to an animated Disney movie while his Apple portable is humming happily in front of him. He climbs, hikes, backpacks, skis and loves the outdoors. If you're not into sarcasm, Monty Python, or puns you may never get a single one of his jokes, which populate his speech like streams of antimatter through dilithium. Oh, and he's a geek.

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