• Kogasa@programming.dev
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        4 days ago

        It’s interesting because it’s highly counter-intuitive that such a thing is possible. It’s not supposed to be useful except as an example of a false intuition, which can remind us to be careful in our reasoning.

        • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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          4 days ago

          “Such a thing is possible” It kind of isn’t though? It’s a sphere that can pass through itself but not be sharply creased…how are these rules not just made up?

          • Kogasa@programming.dev
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            4 days ago

            Specifically, the thing that exists is a regular homotopy of immersions from the standard embedding to its opposite. The “rules” aren’t supposed to be self evident, they’re part of a broader context in topology

              • Kogasa@programming.dev
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                4 days ago

                Yeah, basic graduate level math is a lot more useful than whatever you do with your life to warrant such an attitude.

                • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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                  4 days ago

                  Oh really? Let’s try a thought experiment, shall we?

                  In Universe A, let’s round up everyone with at least a master’s degree in math and shoot them.

                  In Universe B, let’s round up all the mechanics and shoot them.

                  Which one goes to shit faster?

        • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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          4 days ago

          I’m not actually sure if it isn’t actual bullshit. Like, start at Matt Parker/Numberphile “And if you keep doing this sequence you’ll notice it comes up with every other prime number.” sort of stuff, head off the deep end and then keep going.