The Rational Side of "2012"

epix · 30th July 2011, 12:23 PM

From time to time, the Universe tests the natural evolution of the mind of human species. The 2012 hoopla is an example. The subject spread around like Spanish flu and became familiar to the point of Hollywood capitalizing on the notoriety.

The principle of the test calls for completing a statement with characters that seem to fit the circumstances. Before anything, when the collection of those four digits 2012 is interpreted as a year, there are two ways to verbalize it:

1) 2012 = "year twenty twelve"

2) 2012 = "year two thousand twelve"

Lets start with (1) where 2012 is separated. The functional separation has three parts (a), (b), and (c) where (a) looks like this

a) 20_______?________12

and asks for completing the space between 20 and 12 given the overall "flavor" of that time period bestowed upon it by all the jolly catastrophic predictions. So the general guide for the completion of (a) is described by one word: negative.

The (b) and (c) questions are based on the fact that the Mayan Great Cycle ENDS in 2012(Gregorian). That means 20 and 12 are positioned at the end of the statements to be completed. This also affects the order: the number that ends statement (a) starts the (b) and (c) parts of the test.

b) ______?______12

c)_______?______20

The last statement (d) to be completed is formulated by the (2) option where 20 and 12 are kept together and the formulation is also based on the concept of END and additionally on the fact that Mayans were an ancient civilization, so they lived in the past. That means the number 2012 appears as a closing statement that is reversed

d) 2012_______?_______

and you are solving from right to left. (When we check what we've written (past) we go to the left, whereas the words to be written (future) will appear to the right.)

Note that 2012 is a collection of four digits. Hence the four question (a), (b), (c), and (d).

Here is a very important note to the solution which doesn't pretend to be analytically unique and just calls for the best option: all four answers must be very closely related.

The strategy to the solution: The answer to (a) seems to be the pilot. Once you realize the trick, the rest is a matter of a rational association based on a clue.

I personally flunked the test big time and had to be told. But I believe that if someone comes up with the preferable solution, then the United Nations should provide all the necessary means for that person, if male, to be set apart for breeding purposes providing that there are at least a couple of thousand young females around who do care about the future of mankind.

JoeTheJuggler · 30th July 2011, 12:32 PM

There is nothing at all rational about this. Starting right off with the pathetic fallacy:

Originally Posted by epix

From time to time, the Universe [sic] tests the natural evolution of the mind of human species.

The universe doesn't have the ability to have intentions or care in any way about the mind of the human species. Rather the mind of the human species is an adaptation that has proven successful (at least for the short span of time humans have been around).

The shark mind has been around a lot longer and has resulted in a lot more biodiversity, so if you insist on using the pathetic fallacy, the universe is a lot more interested in the shark mind than in the human mind.

JoeB · 30th July 2011, 12:34 PM

Vortigern99 · 30th July 2011, 12:35 PM

Ummm... what?

JoeTheJuggler · 30th July 2011, 12:38 PM

And don't even get me started on the irrationality of talking about the significance of the way years are numbered from the erroneous but traditional calculation of the date of Jesus' birth in a base ten numbering system to a calendar that made reference to neither.

And the significance of our custom of saying year names based on the cardinal number for the number of centuries (20 hundred and twelve) as opposed to the custom of saying the year as a number of individual years only (two thousand and twelve--which by the way is how it is done in most Latinamerican countries nowadays).

AdMan · 30th July 2011, 12:39 PM

epix needs a FAIL subforum of his own.

kerikiwi · 30th July 2011, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by epix

... providing that there are at least a couple of thousand young females around who do care about the future of mankind.

...and who also pass the test

dafydd · 30th July 2011, 01:33 PM

Rational?????

Foster Zygote · 30th July 2011, 01:38 PM

Remember that kid in your neighborhood who used to eat boogers to get attention? Ever wonder what he would be like when he got older?

catsmate1 · 30th July 2011, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Foster Zygote

Remember that kid in your neighborhood who used to eat boogers to get attention? Ever wonder what he would be like when he got older?

And discovered marijuana.

Jono74 · 30th July 2011, 01:41 PM

I flunk it too. Im terrible at these type of puzzles. The really sad thing is, Im probably still not going to get it when the solution is explained either. Someone here will be clever enough to solve it, Im certain.

JoeTheJuggler · 30th July 2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jono74

I flunk it too. Im terrible at these type of puzzles. The really sad thing is, Im probably still not going to get it when the solution is explained either. Someone here will be clever enough to solve it, Im certain.

He already explained it. Somehow the year that is the end of the Mayan Calendar's great cycle that corresponds to the year 2012 in the Gregorian Calendar means "the end" and since the Mayans invented their calendar when they were already an "ancient civilization" (????) the significance of our calling the year "twenty-twelve" is somehow "the end".

Yep. . . .that's some seriously rational thinking all right!

Jono74 · 30th July 2011, 02:24 PM

Already explained it?! what the... there goes I, then. Im still looking foward to the full solution, though.
This is certainly the last thing I expected when clicking here. I dont think the OP is promoting or implying any truth in the 2012 thing, but just sharing a cool puzzle that requires a bit knowledge around the 2012 nuttiness, which I'd imagine many skeptics have, but without the belief. No doubt it will have a pareidolia component, with concidences that seem significant, but which are just a result of the puzzle design, but nothing beyond the puzzle solving power of a normal clever person.
Thats my take, anyway.

AdMan · 30th July 2011, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Jono74

Already explained it?! what the... there goes I, then. Im still looking foward to the full solution, though.
This is certainly the last thing I expected when clicking here. I dont think the OP is promoting or implying any truth in the 2012 thing, but just sharing a cool puzzle that requires a bit knowledge around the 2012 nuttiness, which I'd imagine many skeptics have, but without the belief. No doubt it will have a pareidolia component, with concidences that seem significant, but which are just a result of the puzzle design, but nothing beyond the puzzle solving power of a normal clever person.
Thats my take, anyway.

Looks like you're not too familiar with the epix brand of posts.

Jono74 · 30th July 2011, 02:40 PM

No, Im not, not at all. Like that then, is it...? I usually give the benefit of the doubt, and wait for evidence, which never takes too long.

Kopji · 30th July 2011, 05:13 PM

You are not savoring the eclectic and nuanced bouquet of an epix thread. It will help if you use the decoder key here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxb0OBq7N3Q

The hokey pokey IS what its all about.

Drudgewire · 30th July 2011, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by epix

Note that 2012 is a collection of four digits.

58008 is a collection of five digits. But when you type it on a calculator and turn it upside it says "boobs."

dafydd · 30th July 2011, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Jono74

No, Im not, not at all. Like that then, is it...? .

It's worse that that.

John Albert · 30th July 2011, 07:31 PM

Epix, I believe David Wynn-Miller would like to have a word with you about your misuse of the English language to enslave humanity.

Brian-M · 30th July 2011, 07:33 PM

Abbreviating the "question"...

Originally Posted by epix

a) 20_______?________12

b) ______?______12

c)_______?______20

d) 2012_______?_______

and you are solving from right to left. (When we check what we've written (past) we go to the left, whereas the words to be written (future) will appear to the right.)

Note that 2012 is a collection of four digits. Hence the four question (a), (b), (c), and (d).

Here is a very important note to the solution which doesn't pretend to be analytically unique and just calls for the best option: all four answers must be very closely related.

The strategy to the solution: The answer to (a) seems to be the pilot. Once you realize the trick, the rest is a matter of a rational association based on a clue.

I don't actually see a question here, just splitting a number up and leaving blanks. Is it supposed to be a number sequence test?

If so, the answer to (a) could be: 20, 17+(2/3), 15+(1/3), 12.

But that would mean that the answers to (b), (c) and (d) would be "Insufficient Information", and doesn't really fit in with your incoherent ramblings.

You seem to be implying some kind of cosmic significance to these numbers. Personally, I suspect you're just applying numerological nonsense.

Let's try something different. If there really is some kind significance behind whatever answer you've come up with, it wouldn't matter what numerical base you're using.

Binary (base 2) is the most fundamental positional numerical base to work in, but it can be cumbersome, so let's use a hexadecimal numbering system (which is functionally equivalent to binary) instead.

Converting from decimal (base 10) to hexadecimal (base 16)...

Quote:

a) 14_______?________C

b) ______?______C

c)_______?______14

d) 7DC_______?_______

and you are solving from right to left. (When we check what we've written (past) we go to the left, whereas the words to be written (future) will appear to the right.)

Note that 7DC is a collection of ~~four digits. Hence the four question (a), (b), (c), and (d).~~

Does your answer work in this version? If not, why not? After all, the numbers still have the same values, so it shouldn't matter what numbering system we use.

And can you post your "answers" (and reasoning) so maybe we can get some idea of what the hell you're talking about.

Alareth · 30th July 2011, 07:37 PM

I think it has something to do with this

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

dropzone · 30th July 2011, 08:53 PM

I was told there would be no math.

dafydd · 31st July 2011, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by dropzone

I was told there would be no math.

deleted

dafydd · 31st July 2011, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by dropzone

I was told there would be no math.

deleted

wollery · 31st July 2011, 04:32 AM

Well done Epix, this one failed on just about every level, although next time you might want to try writing it a non-existent language to make it truly incomprehensible on every level imaginable.

Lukraak_Sisser · 31st July 2011, 04:59 AM

Ah, wait, I see it.
If you add the numbers, with the first and last being multiplied by 10 and the middle numbers as they are, you get 41.
And since we all know that 42 is the answer, then the next year will be the year we know everything, provided you do some additional nonsense math to get what you want.

Its all clear to me now!

nvidiot · 31st July 2011, 05:01 AM

Even for epix, this is fail on a truly spectacular scale.

Stellafane · 31st July 2011, 05:10 AM

I passed the test with flying colors. Where's my couple of thousand young females? May as well get started on that breeding now!

Aepervius · 31st July 2011, 05:29 AM

It does not work in all language so it fails. It works only in english and a few others.

In some other languages (for example) 2012 is NEITHER twenty twelkve nor 2 thousand and 12.

Ni-Sen Ju-Ni.

Ladewig · 31st July 2011, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by epix

From time to time, the Universe tests the natural evolution of the mind of human species. The 2012 hoopla is an example. The subject spread around like Spanish flu and became familiar to the point of Hollywood capitalizing on the notoriety.

The principle of the test calls for completing a statement with characters that seem to fit the circumstances. Before anything, when the collection of those four digits 2012 is interpreted as a year, there are two ways to verbalize it:

1) 2012 = "year twenty twelve"

2) 2012 = "year two thousand twelve"

you make the little joke, yes?

Sideroxylon · 31st July 2011, 09:11 AM

[cat pushing watermelon out of lake.jpg]

Greedo · 31st July 2011, 09:22 AM

Hmmmm

Foolmewunz · 31st July 2011, 04:23 PM

You know that conundrum about the infinite number of monkeys on infinite number of typewriters?

Is this one of the early trials?

caniswalensis · 31st July 2011, 04:40 PM

Epix, I have to admit that I have no understanding of your OP.

I do not understand the blanks, or what sort of question is being asked or what the guidelines for filling in the blanks might be.

It looks interesting to me, as I enjoy reading about Mayan doomsday theories even though I do not put any stock in them.

Maybe you would care to elaborate for me? I really just can't figure out what you are driving at.

Regards, Canis

I Ratant · 31st July 2011, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Foolmewunz

You know that conundrum about the infinite number of monkeys on infinite number of typewriters?

Is this one of the early trials?

.
Shakespeare it ain't, that's fer shure!

Giraffe107 · 31st July 2011, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by JoeTheJuggler

He already explained it. Somehow the year that is the end of the Mayan Calendar's great cycle that corresponds to the year 2012 in the Gregorian Calendar means "the end" and since the Mayans invented their calendar when they were already an "ancient civilization" (????) the significance of our calling the year "twenty-twelve" is somehow "the end".

Yep. . . .that's some seriously rational thinking all right!

Thank you for distilling the OP is something resembling coherent English. I was not able to get even half of that by myself.

devnull · 31st July 2011, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by I Ratant

.
Shakespeare it ain't, that's fer shure!

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times! Stupid monkey!"

dafydd · 1st August 2011, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by devnull

"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times! Stupid monkey!"

'To be or not to be,that is the zwvornik'- Bob Newhart

Sabretooth · 1st August 2011, 11:24 AM

*GASP* Haven't you sheeple figured it out yet!!?!?!?! LOOK!

2012 = ZION

It's just a matter of time!!!!!

Loss Leader · 1st August 2011, 11:44 AM

I have worked out the solutions for (a), (b), (c) and (d), however, I consider them so plainly obvious that I see no reason to bother to state them here.

30th July 2011, 12:23 PM	#1
epix Master Poster Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Borgia Apartment, Vatican City Posts: 2,957	The Rational Side of "2012" From time to time, the Universe tests the natural evolution of the mind of human species. The 2012 hoopla is an example. The subject spread around like Spanish flu and became familiar to the point of Hollywood capitalizing on the notoriety. The principle of the test calls for completing a statement with characters that seem to fit the circumstances. Before anything, when the collection of those four digits 2012 is interpreted as a year, there are two ways to verbalize it: 1) 2012 = "year twenty twelve" 2) 2012 = "year two thousand twelve" Lets start with (1) where 2012 is separated. The functional separation has three parts (a), (b), and (c) where (a) looks like this a) 20_______?________12 and asks for completing the space between 20 and 12 given the overall "flavor" of that time period bestowed upon it by all the jolly catastrophic predictions. So the general guide for the completion of (a) is described by one word: negative. The (b) and (c) questions are based on the fact that the Mayan Great Cycle ENDS in 2012(Gregorian). That means 20 and 12 are positioned at the end of the statements to be completed. This also affects the order: the number that ends statement (a) starts the (b) and (c) parts of the test. b) ______?______12 c)_______?______20 The last statement (d) to be completed is formulated by the (2) option where 20 and 12 are kept together and the formulation is also based on the concept of END and additionally on the fact that Mayans were an ancient civilization, so they lived in the past. That means the number 2012 appears as a closing statement that is reversed d) 2012_______?_______ and you are solving from right to left. (When we check what we've written (past) we go to the left, whereas the words to be written (future) will appear to the right.) Note that 2012 is a collection of four digits. Hence the four question (a), (b), (c), and (d). Here is a very important note to the solution which doesn't pretend to be analytically unique and just calls for the best option: all four answers must be very closely related. The strategy to the solution: The answer to (a) seems to be the pilot. Once you realize the trick, the rest is a matter of a rational association based on a clue. I personally flunked the test big time and had to be told. But I believe that if someone comes up with the preferable solution, then the United Nations should provide all the necessary means for that person, if male, to be set apart for breeding purposes providing that there are at least a couple of thousand young females around who do care about the future of mankind.
	__________________ Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. Huh? What's your point? Last edited by epix; 30th July 2011 at 12:30 PM.

30th July 2011, 12:32 PM	#2
JoeTheJuggler Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 26,750	There is nothing at all rational about this. Starting right off with the pathetic fallacy: Originally Posted by epix From time to time, the Universe [sic] tests the natural evolution of the mind of human species. The universe doesn't have the ability to have intentions or care in any way about the mind of the human species. Rather the mind of the human species is an adaptation that has proven successful (at least for the short span of time humans have been around). The shark mind has been around a lot longer and has resulted in a lot more biodiversity, so if you insist on using the pathetic fallacy, the universe is a lot more interested in the shark mind than in the human mind.
	__________________ "That is a very graphic analogy which aids understanding wonderfully while being, strictly speaking, wrong in every possible way." —Ponder Stibbons

30th July 2011, 12:34 PM	#3
JoeB Muse Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: A Swamp North of Charleston Posts: 592
	__________________ Political or military commentators, like astrologers, can survive almost any mistake, because their more devoted followers do not look to them for an appraisal of the facts but for the stimulation of nationalistic loyalties -George Orwell

30th July 2011, 12:35 PM	#4
Vortigern99 Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,016	Ummm... what?
	__________________ "I'm 'willing to admit' any fact that can be shown to be evidential and certain." -- Vortigern99 / Noah D. Henson "One thing we've learned (and the Internet confirms this) is that humans will screw just about anything." -- Theagenes

30th July 2011, 12:38 PM	#5
JoeTheJuggler Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 26,750	And don't even get me started on the irrationality of talking about the significance of the way years are numbered from the erroneous but traditional calculation of the date of Jesus' birth in a base ten numbering system to a calendar that made reference to neither. And the significance of our custom of saying year names based on the cardinal number for the number of centuries (20 hundred and twelve) as opposed to the custom of saying the year as a number of individual years only (two thousand and twelve--which by the way is how it is done in most Latinamerican countries nowadays).
	__________________ "That is a very graphic analogy which aids understanding wonderfully while being, strictly speaking, wrong in every possible way." —Ponder Stibbons

30th July 2011, 12:39 PM	#6
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	epix needs a FAIL subforum of his own.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

30th July 2011, 01:23 PM	#7
kerikiwi Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay of Islands NZ Posts: 5,845	Originally Posted by epix ... providing that there are at least a couple of thousand young females around who do care about the future of mankind. ...and who also pass the test

30th July 2011, 01:33 PM	#8
dafydd Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Belgium (Flatland) Posts: 31,471	Rational?????

30th July 2011, 01:38 PM	#9
Foster Zygote Dental Floss Tycoon Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge Posts: 14,393	Remember that kid in your neighborhood who used to eat boogers to get attention? Ever wonder what he would be like when he got older?
	__________________ It looks just like a Telefunken U47... You'll love it.

30th July 2011, 01:41 PM	#10
catsmate1 Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dublin (the one in Ireland) Posts: 7,121	Originally Posted by Foster Zygote Remember that kid in your neighborhood who used to eat boogers to get attention? Ever wonder what he would be like when he got older? And discovered marijuana.

30th July 2011, 01:41 PM	#11
Jono74 Scholar Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 83	I flunk it too. Im terrible at these type of puzzles. The really sad thing is, Im probably still not going to get it when the solution is explained either. Someone here will be clever enough to solve it, Im certain.

30th July 2011, 01:44 PM	#12
JoeTheJuggler Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 26,750	Originally Posted by Jono74 I flunk it too. Im terrible at these type of puzzles. The really sad thing is, Im probably still not going to get it when the solution is explained either. Someone here will be clever enough to solve it, Im certain. He already explained it. Somehow the year that is the end of the Mayan Calendar's great cycle that corresponds to the year 2012 in the Gregorian Calendar means "the end" and since the Mayans invented their calendar when they were already an "ancient civilization" (????) the significance of our calling the year "twenty-twelve" is somehow "the end". Yep. . . .that's some seriously rational thinking all right!
	__________________ "That is a very graphic analogy which aids understanding wonderfully while being, strictly speaking, wrong in every possible way." —Ponder Stibbons

30th July 2011, 02:24 PM	#13
Jono74 Scholar Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 83	Already explained it?! what the... there goes I, then. Im still looking foward to the full solution, though. This is certainly the last thing I expected when clicking here. I dont think the OP is promoting or implying any truth in the 2012 thing, but just sharing a cool puzzle that requires a bit knowledge around the 2012 nuttiness, which I'd imagine many skeptics have, but without the belief. No doubt it will have a pareidolia component, with concidences that seem significant, but which are just a result of the puzzle design, but nothing beyond the puzzle solving power of a normal clever person. Thats my take, anyway.

30th July 2011, 02:30 PM	#14
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	Originally Posted by Jono74 Already explained it?! what the... there goes I, then. Im still looking foward to the full solution, though. This is certainly the last thing I expected when clicking here. I dont think the OP is promoting or implying any truth in the 2012 thing, but just sharing a cool puzzle that requires a bit knowledge around the 2012 nuttiness, which I'd imagine many skeptics have, but without the belief. No doubt it will have a pareidolia component, with concidences that seem significant, but which are just a result of the puzzle design, but nothing beyond the puzzle solving power of a normal clever person. Thats my take, anyway. Looks like you're not too familiar with the epix brand of posts.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,168	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

30th July 2011, 02:40 PM	#15
Jono74 Scholar Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Auckland NZ Posts: 83	No, Im not, not at all. Like that then, is it...? I usually give the benefit of the doubt, and wait for evidence, which never takes too long.

30th July 2011, 05:13 PM	#16
Kopji Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mogollon Rim Posts: 7,697	You are not savoring the eclectic and nuanced bouquet of an epix thread. It will help if you use the decoder key here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxb0OBq7N3Q The hokey pokey IS what its all about.

30th July 2011, 06:13 PM	#17
Drudgewire Critical Doofus Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9,434	Originally Posted by epix Note that 2012 is a collection of four digits. 58008 is a collection of five digits. But when you type it on a calculator and turn it upside it says "boobs."
	__________________ "You post a lie, it is proven 100% false, you move the goalposts and post yet another lie and it continues on around till we're back to the original lie as if it will somehow become true if it's re-iterated again. The same misquotes over and over again. The same hindsight bias, appeals to authority, etc." -lapman describing every twoofer on the internet

30th July 2011, 06:50 PM	#18
dafydd Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Belgium (Flatland) Posts: 31,471	Originally Posted by Jono74 No, Im not, not at all. Like that then, is it...? . It's worse that that.

30th July 2011, 07:31 PM	#19
John Albert Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,143	Epix, I believe David Wynn-Miller would like to have a word with you about your misuse of the English language to enslave humanity.
John Albert Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,143

30th July 2011, 07:33 PM	#20
Brian-M Daydreamer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Downunder Posts: 4,267	Abbreviating the "question"... Originally Posted by epix a) 20_______?________12 b) ______?______12 c)_______?______20 d) 2012_______?_______ and you are solving from right to left. (When we check what we've written (past) we go to the left, whereas the words to be written (future) will appear to the right.) Note that 2012 is a collection of four digits. Hence the four question (a), (b), (c), and (d). Here is a very important note to the solution which doesn't pretend to be analytically unique and just calls for the best option: all four answers must be very closely related. The strategy to the solution: The answer to (a) seems to be the pilot. Once you realize the trick, the rest is a matter of a rational association based on a clue. I don't actually see a question here, just splitting a number up and leaving blanks. Is it supposed to be a number sequence test? If so, the answer to (a) could be: 20, 17+(2/3), 15+(1/3), 12. But that would mean that the answers to (b), (c) and (d) would be "Insufficient Information", and doesn't really fit in with your incoherent ramblings. You seem to be implying some kind of cosmic significance to these numbers. Personally, I suspect you're just applying numerological nonsense. Let's try something different. If there really is some kind significance behind whatever answer you've come up with, it wouldn't matter what numerical base you're using. Binary (base 2) is the most fundamental positional numerical base to work in, but it can be cumbersome, so let's use a hexadecimal numbering system (which is functionally equivalent to binary) instead. Converting from decimal (base 10) to hexadecimal (base 16)... Quote: a) 14_______?________C b) ______?______C c)_______?______14 d) 7DC_______?_______ and you are solving from right to left. (When we check what we've written (past) we go to the left, whereas the words to be written (future) will appear to the right.) Note that 7DC is a collection of ~~four digits. Hence the four question (a), (b), (c), and (d).~~ Does your answer work in this version? If not, why not? After all, the numbers still have the same values, so it shouldn't matter what numbering system we use. And can you post your "answers" (and reasoning) so maybe we can get some idea of what the hell you're talking about.
	__________________ "That is just what you feel, that isn't reality." - hamelekim Last edited by Brian-M; 30th July 2011 at 07:36 PM.

30th July 2011, 08:53 PM	#22
dropzone Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,666	I was told there would be no math.

31st July 2011, 04:24 AM	#23
dafydd Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Belgium (Flatland) Posts: 31,471	Originally Posted by dropzone I was told there would be no math. deleted
	Last edited by dafydd; 31st July 2011 at 04:25 AM.

31st July 2011, 04:25 AM	#24
dafydd Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Belgium (Flatland) Posts: 31,471	Originally Posted by dropzone I was told there would be no math. deleted

31st July 2011, 04:32 AM	#25
wollery Protected by Samurai Hedgehogs! TLA Winner Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Land of Eternal Hope Posts: 10,315	Well done Epix, this one failed on just about every level, although next time you might want to try writing it a non-existent language to make it truly incomprehensible on every level imaginable.
	__________________ "You're a sick SOB. You know that, Wollery?" - Roadtoad "Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider!" --George Carlin

31st July 2011, 04:59 AM	#26
Lukraak_Sisser Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,619	Ah, wait, I see it. If you add the numbers, with the first and last being multiplied by 10 and the middle numbers as they are, you get 41. And since we all know that 42 is the answer, then the next year will be the year we know everything, provided you do some additional nonsense math to get what you want. Its all clear to me now!

31st July 2011, 05:01 AM	#27
nvidiot Botanical Jedi Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,793	Even for epix, this is fail on a truly spectacular scale.
nvidiot Botanical Jedi Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,793

31st July 2011, 05:10 AM	#28
Stellafane Village Idiot. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Green Mountains Posts: 6,277	I passed the test with flying colors. Where's my couple of thousand young females? May as well get started on that breeding now!
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31st July 2011, 05:29 AM	#29
Aepervius Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bierland. I mean , germany. Posts: 7,754	It does not work in all language so it fails. It works only in english and a few others. In some other languages (for example) 2012 is NEITHER twenty twelkve nor 2 thousand and 12. Ni-Sen Ju-Ni.
	__________________ Omnes Blessant Ultima necat "I want, and this is my last and most dear wish, I want that the last of the king be strangled with the guts of the last priest" (Jean Meslier / 1664-1729 / Testament) A very early french atheist, a catholic priest in life. Last edited by Aepervius; 31st July 2011 at 05:31 AM.

31st July 2011, 08:33 AM	#30
Ladewig Hipster alien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: not measurable Posts: 16,803	Originally Posted by epix From time to time, the Universe tests the natural evolution of the mind of human species. The 2012 hoopla is an example. The subject spread around like Spanish flu and became familiar to the point of Hollywood capitalizing on the notoriety. The principle of the test calls for completing a statement with characters that seem to fit the circumstances. Before anything, when the collection of those four digits 2012 is interpreted as a year, there are two ways to verbalize it: 1) 2012 = "year twenty twelve" 2) 2012 = "year two thousand twelve" you make the little joke, yes?
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31st July 2011, 09:11 AM	#31
Sideroxylon Gavagai! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Turkey Posts: 10,627	[cat pushing watermelon out of lake.jpg]
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31st July 2011, 09:22 AM	#32
Greedo Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,571	Hmmmm
Greedo Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,571	__________________ "Persuade thyself that imperfection and inconvenience are the natural lot of mortals and there will be no room for discontent, neither for despair." -T.I.

31st July 2011, 04:23 PM	#33
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 20,516	You know that conundrum about the infinite number of monkeys on infinite number of typewriters? Is this one of the early trials?
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31st July 2011, 04:40 PM	#34
caniswalensis Master Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,567	Epix, I have to admit that I have no understanding of your OP. I do not understand the blanks, or what sort of question is being asked or what the guidelines for filling in the blanks might be. It looks interesting to me, as I enjoy reading about Mayan doomsday theories even though I do not put any stock in them. Maybe you would care to elaborate for me? I really just can't figure out what you are driving at. Regards, Canis
	__________________ "...The chief deficiency I see in the skeptical movement is its polarization: Us vs. Them -- the sense that we have a monopoly on the truth; that those other people who believe in all these stupid doctrines are morons; that if you're sensible, you'll listen to us; and if not, to hell with you. This is nonconstructive. It does not get our message across. It condemns us to permanent minority status." - Carl Sagan

31st July 2011, 04:53 PM	#35
I Ratant Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,305	Originally Posted by Foolmewunz You know that conundrum about the infinite number of monkeys on infinite number of typewriters? Is this one of the early trials? . Shakespeare it ain't, that's fer shure!

31st July 2011, 05:06 PM	#36
Giraffe107 Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,336	Originally Posted by JoeTheJuggler He already explained it. Somehow the year that is the end of the Mayan Calendar's great cycle that corresponds to the year 2012 in the Gregorian Calendar means "the end" and since the Mayans invented their calendar when they were already an "ancient civilization" (????) the significance of our calling the year "twenty-twelve" is somehow "the end". Yep. . . .that's some seriously rational thinking all right! Thank you for distilling the OP is something resembling coherent English. I was not able to get even half of that by myself.
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