VIII [Public]

[pi_tothe_nth]

A wise man once said: "It is better to solve the right problem the wrong way than to solve the wrong problem the right way. Beware of finding what you're looking for."

In times like this it makes one think.

ooc: The quote(s) are Richard Hamming, though he doesn't exsist in TST XD He knows it's public, and is trying to be an ass without risking

Comments

[ voice ]

[minorbook]

That seems a little...I don't know, convoluted. Solving the actual problem at hand, which I guess is what he meant by 'right' problem in a 'wrong' way would result in repercussions of some sort.

But if the 'wrong' problem, or the problem that doesn't really matter is solved in a good manner then it really isn't doing any damage, is it? Well...maybe it won't do any good either but...

[ voice ]

[pi_tothe_nth]

*chuckles*

Alright then; Is it better to do the right thing badly, or the wrong thing well?

Every good mathematician is at least half a philosopher, and every good philosopher is at least half a mathematician.

ooc:Friedrich Ludwig Gottlob Frege

[ voice ]

[minorbook]

...the right thing badly.

I would think every good philosopher would have a little bit of everything in him.

[ voice ]

[pi_tothe_nth]

A little bit of everything or a lot of nothing. Either way.

And you've answered your own question, little digit.

In mathematics the art of proposing a question must be held of higher value than solving it.

ooc: Geoge Cantor

[stoneface_vimes]

Minamimoto, couldn't you be doing something useful?

[pi_tothe_nth]

Usefulness is relitive Vimes. Would you prefer that I was working myself into a frenzy for certain events?

Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy laws My Services are bound.

ooc:Carl Friedrich Gauss

[stoneface_vimes]

And what is this useful relative to?

...well, at least you're using words this time. Small mercies...

[pi_tothe_nth]

Relative to what your trying to acomplish, of course. You don't know my goals, so you can't tell me if I'm being useful or not.

[Public, voice]

[asplosions]

What's the problem ya want to solve, Mr. Hat?

[Public, voice]

[pi_tothe_nth]

The problem of if there really is a problem at all, -32~

[skytamer]

So what do you do when you can't tell which problem is the right one?

[pi_tothe_nth]

Solve the one that fits your answer.