The Numeral Five Backward
Standard mathematics has recently been rendered obsolete by the discovery that for years we have been writing the numeral five backward. This has led to reevaluation of counting as a method of getting from one to ten. Students are taught advanced concepts of Boolean algebra, and formerly unsolvable equations are dealt with by threats of reprisals.
Woody Allen, Getting Even (1978-08-12)
Notes
Woody Allen's humorous fancy about people disputing basic mathematics is intriguing for the way it hints at a world where even the most basic concepts could become subjective through irrationality.
Watson’s reading
Tags generated by IBM Watson from the text. Percentages are its confidence.
Categories
People, places and things
- Woody Allen\ Person