"A Planet without Laughter" by Raymond Smullyan

Started by Gerry Rzeppa, December 17, 2014, 11:01:45 PM

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Gerry Rzeppa

I was re-reading Donald Knuth's Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About (http://www.amazon.com/dp/157586326X) and was reminded of a little allegory by Raymond Smullyan that Knuth found interesting. I thought some of you folks might find it interesting as well. Here's the link:

http://www-cs-faculty.stanford.edu/~uno/smullyan.html

Knuth, as you may know, is the author of The Art of Computer Programming series (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0321751043) and is a Christian; Smullyan is a mathematician, a concert pianist, a logician, a magician, and a Taoist philosopher; and he's got a great beard, too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Smullyan


xSilverPhinx

I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


Tank

Quote from: xSilverPhinx on December 17, 2014, 11:31:30 PM
Well look who's back! :D Shaker's Law is right!
We are theist porn, they can't stay away!!  :D
If religions were TV channels atheism is turning the TV off.
"Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt." ― Richard P. Feynman
'It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.' - Terry Pratchett
Remember, your inability to grasp science is not a valid argument against it.

Magdalena

Hey, Gerry! It's nice to see you again--and again--and again--and again!  :D

"I've had several "spiritual" or numinous experiences over the years, but never felt that they were the product of anything but the workings of my own mind in reaction to the universe." ~Recusant

Magdalena


"I've had several "spiritual" or numinous experiences over the years, but never felt that they were the product of anything but the workings of my own mind in reaction to the universe." ~Recusant

Tank

Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 12:30:55 AM
Hey, Gerry! It's nice to see you again--and again--and again--and again!  :D
One day he'll leave and mean it!

Sorry Gerry but your behaviour is a little bit amusing  ;D
If religions were TV channels atheism is turning the TV off.
"Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt." ― Richard P. Feynman
'It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.' - Terry Pratchett
Remember, your inability to grasp science is not a valid argument against it.

xSilverPhinx

I am what survives if it's slain - Zack Hemsey


Tank

If religions were TV channels atheism is turning the TV off.
"Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt." ― Richard P. Feynman
'It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life.' - Terry Pratchett
Remember, your inability to grasp science is not a valid argument against it.

Magdalena

It looks as if we're avoiding the topic because we don't want to go through 19 pages of the same thing.  :D

"I've had several "spiritual" or numinous experiences over the years, but never felt that they were the product of anything but the workings of my own mind in reaction to the universe." ~Recusant

Gerry Rzeppa

Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 02:45:37 AM
It looks as if we're avoiding the topic because we don't want to go through 19 pages of the same thing.  :D

Love the photo, Magdalena (I'm assuming, of course, that's you and not a musician or some other famous person I'm too "out of touch" to recognize).

Magdalena

Quote from: Gerry Rzeppa on December 18, 2014, 06:42:04 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 02:45:37 AM
It looks as if we're avoiding the topic because we don't want to go through 19 pages of the same thing.  :D

Love the photo, Magdalena (I'm assuming, of course, that's you and not a musician or some other famous person I'm too "out of touch" to recognize).
:-*
Thank you, Gerry.
That's me!  :D
I remember you said people use avatars, and fake names and never show their faces here and you are right, so you inspired me, this is why I'm showing my face to the world. I'm an atheist, and I have nothing to hide. Thank you for that. You see? I listen to what you have to say, so it looks like we've found common ground!  :)
Do you agree?

"I've had several "spiritual" or numinous experiences over the years, but never felt that they were the product of anything but the workings of my own mind in reaction to the universe." ~Recusant

Gerry Rzeppa

Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 06:57:34 AMThank you, Gerry.
That's me!  :D
I remember you said people use avatars, and fake names and never show their faces here and you are right, so you inspired me, this is why I'm showing my face to the world. I'm an atheist, and I have nothing to hide. Thank you for that. You see? I listen to what you have to say, so it looks like we've found common ground!  :)
Do you agree?
Yes, I agree. And I feel like I know you better already.

Magdalena

Quote from: Gerry Rzeppa on December 18, 2014, 07:13:20 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 06:57:34 AMThank you, Gerry.
That's me!  :D
I remember you said people use avatars, and fake names and never show their faces here and you are right, so you inspired me, this is why I'm showing my face to the world. I'm an atheist, and I have nothing to hide. Thank you for that. You see? I listen to what you have to say, so it looks like we've found common ground!  :)
Do you agree?
Yes, I agree. And I feel like I know you better already.

That's great, Gerry! This is the first time I see you and feel you as simply--Gerry.  :)

"I've had several "spiritual" or numinous experiences over the years, but never felt that they were the product of anything but the workings of my own mind in reaction to the universe." ~Recusant

Guardian85

Quote from: Tank on December 18, 2014, 12:32:42 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 12:30:55 AM
Hey, Gerry! It's nice to see you again--and again--and again--and again!  :D
One day he'll leave and mean it!
In the meantime someone owes me 20$.  8)


"If scientist means 'not the dumbest motherfucker in the room,' I guess I'm a scientist, then."
-Unknown Smartass-

Guardian85

Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 06:57:34 AM
Quote from: Gerry Rzeppa on December 18, 2014, 06:42:04 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on December 18, 2014, 02:45:37 AM
It looks as if we're avoiding the topic because we don't want to go through 19 pages of the same thing.  :D

Love the photo, Magdalena (I'm assuming, of course, that's you and not a musician or some other famous person I'm too "out of touch" to recognize).
:-*
Thank you, Gerry.
That's me!  :D
I remember you said people use avatars, and fake names and never show their faces here and you are right, so you inspired me, this is why I'm showing my face to the world. I'm an atheist, and I have nothing to hide. Thank you for that. You see? I listen to what you have to say, so it looks like we've found common ground!  :)
Do you agree?
I think there is actually a thread from way back when dedicated to peoples pictures of themselves. Can't find it, though.....


"If scientist means 'not the dumbest motherfucker in the room,' I guess I'm a scientist, then."
-Unknown Smartass-