Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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We should count in base four (feddit.nu)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

45 comments fedilink hide all child comments

We have basic words for the numbers zero to three, so why not use them to count?

None (0)
Single (1)
pair (2)
Multiple (3+ but we'll use it as three)

So with those "digits" we can construct some numbers:

Single
pair
Multiple
Single nothing
Single single
Single pair
Single multiple
Pair of nothing
Pair of singels
Pair of pairs

And of course we can construct bigger numbers like:
42 = 4²×2+4¹×2+4⁰×2 = pair of pairs of pairs
128 = 4³×2 = pair of absolute complete nothinges For this last one I just use some adjectives to repeat the "nothing" as it looks really weird with multiple nothing in a row.

The distance between Stockholm and Gothenburg is a single multiple of none multiple multiples

Could I have a single multiple of bananas please?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago (12 children)

Why not use “triple” for three, which actually does mean three.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 months ago (9 children)

If you ask someone for "multiple" of something their almost always going to give you three of that thing (or nothing). In that context multiple is just three and as @[email protected] pointed out, if I use triple I could as well keep going with higher numbers (quadrupole etc)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (3 children)

If someone asks me for "a few" I'll give them three or four. If someone asks for "multiple" I'll give them a handful and ask if that's enough.

I don't know where in the world this theory is coming from, but here, two would be "a couple" and three+ would be "a few." Not that "a pair" (never just pair) and multiple aren't used in other contexts, but you wouldn't use pair and multiple in the same context. A pair is specific, multiple is an estimate.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Maybe it's just me: had to double back on that literal use of "where in the world".