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Major Advances In Knot Theory

An anonymous reader sends us to Science News, which is running a survey of recent strides in finding an answer to the age-old question: How many ways are there to tie your shoelaces? "Mathematicians have been puzzling over that question for a century or two, and the main thing they've discovered is that the question is really, really hard. In the last decade, though, they've developed some powerful new tools inspired by physics that have pried a few answers from the universe's clutches. Even more exciting is that the new tools seem to be the tip of a much larger theory that mathematicians are just beginning to uncover. That larger mathematical theory, if it exists, may help crack some of the hardest mathematical questions there are, questions about the mathematical structure of the three- and four-dimensional space where we live. ... Revealing the full ... superstructure may be the work of a generation."

7 of 230 comments (clear)

  1. This is so very important... by sgage · · Score: -1, Troll

    ... as the world goes down the toilet. Let us ponder how many ways there are to tie our shoes. When we're done with that, we can contemplate how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Indeed, after that, we can explore even weightier questions. E.g., does a bear shit in the woods? What is the sound of one hand clapping? If a tree falls... oh never mind.

    1. Re:This is so very important... by sgage · · Score: -1, Troll

      "The world has been in far worse situations than it's in now."

      Maybe, maybe not.

      I don't care what anyone wants to investigate. Just saying that we have some rather larger fish to fry at the moment, and this seems sort of peripheral.

      I can't believe I got moderated as a troll. Oh well.

      I'm getting too old for this slashdot shit, I guess.

    2. Re:This is so very important... by sgage · · Score: -1, Troll

      It was not whiny in any way.

      It was not irrelevant in any way.

      It did not dismiss the role of research.

      I am not scare mongering.

      I am not trolling.

      A mere comment about priorities, relative importance of issues, and so forth. In any case, I was not the only one to make such a comment.

      It is just incredible to me what people here have read into my comment that just isn't there.

      You'd think I farted in church or something.

  2. Things like this... by retech · · Score: -1, Troll

    When I read things such as this I like to take a moment to let the dumbfounded feeling wash over me.

    This is just not that important.

  3. knot theory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Prior to developing his fully inflated knot, the Dog will exhibit various signs of extreme, sexual, excitement. He will pace. Lick. Whimper. Mount. Thrust. At any time during such processes as these, the Dog may Ejaculate clear fluid. Is he " Cumming "? No. He is Ejaculating. His body is pumping fluids, said to be natural lubricants, from his penis. This action appears to have no visable bearing on his Mental / physical / nervous / spiritual disposition at all. He's not particularly enjoying this addendum to the proceedings. He's probably not aware it's happening.

    After about five seconds of fucking, you may notice the Knot making itself evident. If you are somehow able to manage to whitness this with a reasonably clear head, you may stop to be amazed at how rapidly everything expands? THIS is the Dogs Orgasm taking place, in manifest form. The physical sign that his mind is blowing. So, for certain, will his dick now be.

  4. Re:The 85 Ways to Tie a Tie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    it hasn't been years motherfucker. it's been a little over a year. and judging from your other posts it's for the best. you don't have anything to say that's worthwhile. so just shut the fuck up retard bitch.

  5. FAiLZOqRS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll