http://shirt.woot.com/offers/thanks-for-all-the-fish#read-more
Ha! Awesome. Douglas Adams would be proud.
What's with the 6 by 9 reference, though? I confess I don't get that part.
Should be 6 by 7, maybe?
/shakes his head sadly.
The Answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything is 42.
The question turns out to be "What do you get if you multiply 6 x 9."
Irrc, this was discovered by Dent after his Early Morning Yell of Horror, the circumstances of which are depicted in So Long, And Thanks for All The Fish.
(In the HGttG community, there is more than a little debate about the 6 x 9 reference. It may be a base 13 reference. It may even not be the Question.)
Deep Thought gave the answer to Life, The Universe and Everything as 42. Deeper Thought was built in order to ascertain the Question, "What is 6 times 7?"
Now, I did not click the link, so the joke may be on me, but 6 times 9, and I have read all the Adams books, I don't ever remember seeing.
^As I recall, Dent comes up with the question while playing chess (checkers?) with himself (actually a caveman?). I don't recall the actual translation method, but iirc, it has something to do with being the sole survivor of the earth 1 computer, something about his current existence on earth 2: electric boogaloo, but in prehistoric times.
I humbly submit your recollection about 6 x 7 is wrong. I will not humbly admit that I may be wrong, but I do admit it (lol).
I don't have the books in front me. This is hardly definitive, but I could send you about 16 billion links referencing HGttG and "What do you get if you multiply 6 by 9?" I won't -- I'm not _that_ annoying. ;)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.math-help-multiplication-tables.com%2Fimages%2F6X-chart-print.jpg&hash=820b48db193ddfd43b0b7139c6943ef1d711e960)
^Well, yes. That is obviously compelling.
I am suggesting, however, that Adams may have taken literary license with math, and stepped away from practicality, much in the way that there aren't actually two-headed people, let alone named Zaphod.
(They're ettins. Not two headed people.)
I see. Anything is possible.
Its been so long since I read the books, I mostly remember the BBC tv series anyway, that i cant remember any reference to 6x7 or 6x9. I seem to remember it as 42 was the answer to the question, Earth was to figure out what the question was.
Quote from: meadbelly on June 07, 2012, 11:39:25 PM
^As I recall, Dent comes up with the question while playing chess (checkers?) with himself (actually a caveman?). I don't recall the actual translation method, but iirc, it has something to do with being the sole survivor of the earth 1 computer, something about his current existence on earth 2: electric boogaloo, but in prehistoric times.
I humbly submit your recollection about 6 x 7 is wrong. I will not humbly admit that I may be wrong, but I do admit it (lol).
I don't have the books in front me. This is hardly definitive, but I could send you about 16 billion links referencing HGttG and "What do you get if you multiply 6 by 9?" I won't -- I'm not _that_ annoying. ;)
This is mostly what happend. Dent being the sole survivor, or so he thought, of the destruction of the Earth, which is actually a living computer called Deeper Thought, is tasked with finding the Question to the Ultimate answer.
While playing scrabble on a planet completely run by hairdressers and other "un-useful" trades - used car salesmen etc., he starts randomly pulling tiles from a bag. They start to spell actual words and he believes it must be the answer er question everyone is looking for.
The sentance he makes is "What is six times nine?" Since we already know the answer is 42, the only conclusion is the the Universe is a very screwed up place.
The series really is a must read.... 8)
I thought the answer was always C.
Quote from: Gusington on June 08, 2012, 10:05:58 AM
I thought the answer was always C.
A buddy of mine used a coin toss to fill in a multiple choice Psych 101 exam. 1st toss desided A-B or C-D group, 2nd toss chose one of that group. He got 52% on the exam. :P
^But 52% still fails! If he got 88% I would be impressed :)
Quote from: Gusington on June 08, 2012, 10:23:59 AM
^But 52% still fails! If he got 88% I would be impressed :)
On what planet does 52% fail?!? :o
^Dude in every class I have ever been in, 64% or lower FAILS. 52% isn't even close!
Quote from: Gusington on June 08, 2012, 10:36:43 AM
^Dude in every class I have ever been in, 64% or lower FAILS. 52% isn't even close!
WoW! What kind of draconian schooling did you do? Junior Stormtroopers Collegiate? 50% is a pass man. I know, I fought hard for some 50%'s back in the day... 8)
In the States, somewhere between 60-70 is usually the pass/fail cutoff. Looks like Canada does it differently depending on province.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_grading_in_Canada
NYC public schools all the way through to grad school! Then a NJ public school (Rutgers).
Best testing story ever: in New York we have competency tests in different subjects. 65% was required to pass.
For high school chemistry we had this real bastard of a teacher who loved to mess with people. We all waited on line for our scores...I got an 85% IIRC. So I was happy. The guy behind me, an obnoxious little troll, went to get his score after me.
The chem teacher had a huge poo-eating grin on his face and stated loud enough for the entire room to hear: "Oh so sorry, I just could not find additional points on here for you. You got a 64. See you next year!"
Classic high school moment.
Quote from: mirth on June 08, 2012, 10:46:42 AM
In the States, somewhere between 60-70 is usually the pass/fail cutoff. Looks like Canada does it differently depending on province.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_grading_in_Canada
Interesting.... how can it be a fail if you know at least 50% of the material.... or 60% in Gus's example? Just seems wrong somehow.....
^Or even 64%.
I dunno. Grading systems are never perfect and often take into account things beyond just knowing the material. Class participation for example. I had many courses where that could account for 10% or more of your total grade.
^But you're awesome.
^No argument there.
See!
Quote from: Mr. Bigglesworth on June 08, 2012, 01:47:30 AM
I see. Anything is possible.
Its been so long since I read the books, I mostly remember the BBC tv series anyway, that i cant remember any reference to 6x7 or 6x9. I seem to remember it as 42 was the answer to the question, Earth was to figure out what the question was.
Did the BBC tv or radio series get to the fourth book in the trilogy, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish? I believe that is where the 6x9 stuff occurs.
Quote from: Barthheart on June 08, 2012, 06:07:42 AM
Quote from: meadbelly on June 07, 2012, 11:39:25 PM
^As I recall, Dent comes up with the question while playing chess (checkers?) with himself (actually a caveman?). I don't recall the actual translation method, but iirc, it has something to do with being the sole survivor of the earth 1 computer, something about his current existence on earth 2: electric boogaloo, but in prehistoric times.
I humbly submit your recollection about 6 x 7 is wrong. I will not humbly admit that I may be wrong, but I do admit it (lol).
I don't have the books in front me. This is hardly definitive, but I could send you about 16 billion links referencing HGttG and "What do you get if you multiply 6 by 9?" I won't -- I'm not _that_ annoying. ;)
This is mostly what happend. Dent being the sole survivor, or so he thought, of the destruction of the Earth, which is actually a living computer called Deeper Thought, is tasked with finding the Question to the Ultimate answer.
While playing scrabble on a planet completely run by hairdressers and other "un-useful" trades - used car salesmen etc., he starts randomly pulling tiles from a bag. They start to spell actual words and he believes it must be the answer er question everyone is looking for.
The sentance he makes is "What is six times nine?" Since we already know the answer is 42, the only conclusion is the the Universe is a very screwed up place.
The series really is a must read.... 8)
I've got to re-read the series, obviously. It's even better than I remember.
(For those of you inclined, I also heartily recommend the two Dirk Gently novels. Many HGttG fans don't enjoy them as much. I enjoyed them arguably more.)
Dirk Gently novels are great! For a while I was sure I was the Rain God. 8)
^ "I believe you." :)
Quote from: meadbelly on June 08, 2012, 04:09:52 PM
Quote from: Mr. Bigglesworth on June 08, 2012, 01:47:30 AM
I see. Anything is possible.
Its been so long since I read the books, I mostly remember the BBC tv series anyway, that i cant remember any reference to 6x7 or 6x9. I seem to remember it as 42 was the answer to the question, Earth was to figure out what the question was.
Did the BBC tv or radio series get to the fourth book in the trilogy, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish? I believe that is where the 6x9 stuff occurs.
Not as far as I know. I remember the restaurant at the end of the universe with the fat pig creature asking if you would like to try its loin or something. In fact the first time (I could be delusional mixing it up with something else) it was a radio story on BBC radio. I was 6 so what do i know.
Hang on, now I remember dolphins. Yes it was on the TV series.
the saying goes:
if you multiplay 6 by 9 you will not get pregnant.
Quote from: Keunert on July 25, 2012, 08:14:57 AM
the saying goes:
if you multiplay 6 by 9 you will not get pregnant.
Chances are pretty good I won't get pregnant no matter what I do.
^this means you aren't Schwarzenegger?
Quote from: Barthheart on June 08, 2012, 06:07:42 AM
This is mostly what happend. Dent being the sole survivor, or so he thought, of the destruction of the Earth, which is actually a living computer called Deeper Thought, is tasked with finding the Question to the Ultimate answer.
While playing scrabble on a planet completely run by hairdressers and other "un-useful" trades - used car salesmen etc., he starts randomly pulling tiles from a bag. They start to spell actual words and he believes it must be the answer er question everyone is looking for.
The sentance he makes is "What is six times nine?" Since we already know the answer is 42, the only conclusion is the the Universe is a very screwed up place.
The series really is a must read.... 8)
Oh, is that it? I misunderstood if so. I thought it was because the Earth was destroyed five minutes before completion of the program, therefore the question got bungled. I always thought that the question was
supposed to be 6 by 7, but due to the above, came out as 6 by 9 instead.
The radio series is the best incarnation of the story, by the way. That's been scientifically proven. :)
I have the BBC production on cassette tape.
Thank you Slartibartfast, that will be all.
...sips his Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster......
I did the fiddly bits around Norway. Won an award for them...