XPost: rec.arts.sf.written   
   From: dtravel@sonic.net   
      
   On 10/31/2023 9:39 AM, Don wrote:   
   > Michael wrote:   
   >> Joel Polowin wrote:   
   >>> Ted wrote:   
   >>>> That's not the way the Liaden old universe worked.  For instance, the   
   >>>> value of Pi was not the same, setting aside a completely different set   
   >>>> of stars & planets.   
   >>>   
   >>> Given that pi can be calculated in multiple ways as the sum of mathematical   
   >>> converging infinite series, it's hard to see how that could be... Archie   
   >>> Plutonium's "theories" notwithstanding.  Of course, that's the   
   mathematical   
   >>> constant, which can differ from the _physical_ value (e.g. the ratio   
   between   
   >>> the circumference and diameter of a circle) depending on the curvature of   
   >>> space.   
   >>   
   >> Of course, in anything other than flat, Euclidean space, the ratio   
   >> of the circumference of a circle to its diameter is not constant, but   
   >> depends on its diameter (at least) and position (in a negatively   
   >> curved space, I think).   
   >   
   > Allow me to use the groups as an adhoc classroom. Let me know if my pi   
   > pertinent philosophy shown below doesn't make sense.   
   >      The ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is an   
   > observable fact. And accordingly associated with Aristotlean thought.   
   >      OTOH, notions of non-Euclidean space are Platonic. And non-   
   > Euclidean space Platonically pulls pi apart to the breaking point?   
   >   
   Purely thought experiment until such time as we can observe   
   non-Euclidean space to conduct actual experiments.   
      
   --   
   I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky   
   dirty old man.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)