h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, let's at least compromise by saying that it's impossible for Americans to invent an original ball game.

Bill Watterson invented Calvinball - That's original.

Okay then, what is Calvinball?

Calvinball appeared frequently in the comic strip written by Mr Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes. It was basically an excuse for wierdness, with exchanges like "what's the score?" "12 to q" or "I scored a goal! Now you have to sing the Very Sorry song" "No, I don't because I'm in the Opposite zone" etc.

So, not an actual game as such, just a background existing thingy in a comic. Yes?

Ah, but people have been known to play it.

Such as....?

I'll bet Lance has played it

What about basketball?

That only counts if Americans invented Netball too...

I just went and checked Natski's article about netball, which claims that netball's foundations came from basketball, which I expect means that basketball was invented first. This is what I assumed, but not being an expert in netball history I can't be 100% sure.

If basketball was invented first (1891!) then it doesn't matter who invented netball.

Nnah-nah-nnah nah, I think..........

Ah, but is it original? I seem to remember that Jacks was invented before hand, and thats a game involving bouncing things.

*shakes head*

I also believe that the Aztecs had a similar game involving throwing things through hoops. I'll see if I can find out more details.

Interesting philosophy you've got there...........

Actually, it was the Maya. They did have a game involving throwing balls through hoops, except they used their hips instead of their hands, the hoops were vertical instead of horizontal, and the losers were sacrificed to the Gods. Unfortunately, we have not retained any of these traits except balls and hoops. HOWEVER, Basketball was created completely independently of the Mayan game; the first ball court was discovered in 1924, and it was not identified as such until 1983, when Maya heiroglyphs were first deciphered.
I don't know what this has to do with philosophy, though.

Has anybody concidered the possibility that all possibilities have been considered?

~Irving

Probably, although not by any human. All the possibilities must have been considered to bring forth the possibility that we exist and are having this nice little chat. However, what are the probabilities of those possible events occurring? 100%! Why? Because otherwise, no events would ever occur! Therefore, either all events occur simultaneously, or nothing occurs.

That's impossible

Or just very very improbable

WHat do we mean by considered, here.. THought about, or that will likely happen?

Is the universe bounded or unbounded? What is the Universe? How long will it last? How do you define bounded or unbounded and length of existence?

If I don't pay my rent is it possible that I will see my landlord in a couple of weeks, or 100% probable?

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