Prior to the Indian mathematician Sridhara, the concept of 0 did not exist in any known system of mathematics. He invented the concept, and Arab mathematicians picked up the idea and added it to their numbering system.
And where would binary numbering systems be without it?
...one could also imagine what would happen to civilization if we lost electricity, or modern sanitization, or printing, or medicine, or..., well, you get the point.
The point here is that each advance of civilization brings with it new dependencies within society. Yes, we will become dependent on genetic engineering for the standard of living we now (and will) enjoy. But then, I'm just as glad that medical science has made it possible for my children to live without the 'opportunity' to contract polio, diptheria, measles, and 10 other kinds of horribles. I don't see anyone whining about missing out on smallpox.
I for one am just pleased as punch that there are those scientists and businesses out there making it possible to increase the potential yield of an acre of arable land.
Attend, please. A term for serious consideration is 'gleaner'. Obviously, both #1 definitions are not applicable, but the others certainly are.
From m-w.com:
Main Entry: glean Pronunciation: 'glEn Function: verb Etymology: Middle English glenen, from Middle French glener, from Late Latin glennare, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish doglenn he selects Date: 14th century intransitive senses 1 : to gather grain or other produce left by reapers 2 : to gather information or material bit by bit transitive senses 1 a : to pick up after a reaper b : to strip (as a field) of the leavings of reapers 2 a : to gather (as information) bit by bit b : to pick over in search of relevant material 3 : FIND OUT
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Prior to the Indian mathematician Sridhara, the concept of 0 did not exist in any known system of mathematics. He invented the concept, and Arab mathematicians picked up the idea and added it to their numbering system.
And where would binary numbering systems be without it?
...one could also imagine what would happen to civilization if we lost electricity, or modern sanitization, or printing, or medicine, or..., well, you get the point.
The point here is that each advance of civilization brings with it new dependencies within society. Yes, we will become dependent on genetic engineering for the standard of living we now (and will) enjoy. But then, I'm just as glad that medical science has made it possible for my children to live without the 'opportunity' to contract polio, diptheria, measles, and 10 other kinds of horribles. I don't see anyone whining about missing out on smallpox.
I for one am just pleased as punch that there are those scientists and businesses out there making it possible to increase the potential yield of an acre of arable land.
Attend, please.
A term for serious consideration is 'gleaner'. Obviously, both #1 definitions are not applicable, but the others certainly are.
From m-w.com:
Main Entry: glean
Pronunciation: 'glEn
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English glenen, from Middle French glener, from Late Latin glennare, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish doglenn he selects
Date: 14th century
intransitive senses
1 : to gather grain or other produce left by reapers
2 : to gather information or material bit by bit
transitive senses
1 a : to pick up after a reaper b : to strip (as a field) of the leavings of reapers
2 a : to gather (as information) bit by bit b : to pick over in search of relevant material
3 : FIND OUT