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

Maybe, but remember that after the football match they just went back to shooting each other.

I agree about the free will thing. But I think that generally it takes more effort for people to be kind - so usually they aren't.

I like to think of that match differently...

The peace that descended on the killing grounds of WWI proved that it was possible for all those fighting to simply stop the horrors that were being committed on both sides.

Then they started right back up again.

That, more than anything else, illustrates the stupidity and corruption of the human race -- they started doing it all over again.

Have a nice day.

[bows respectfully]

--Caledonian

You're right, of course. They did start all over again. However, for one day and during the course of that single match - right in the middle of all that atrocity - something good happened. That one day proves the humanity of humanity.

WIth all due respect...

What does the rest of the war prove, then?

[bows curiously]

--Caledonian

The inhumanity of humanity. Free will again…

(How do you bow curiously? Sort of cross your legs, wiggle your arms about and bob your head like a parakeet?)

1) Stand with feet about shoulder width apart
2) Nod head forward about seven inches (or until double chins meet)
3) Sway slightly to the left
4) Sway slightly to the right
5) Bend at knees
6) Turn feet inwards to angle of 82%
7) Grin maniacally
8) Bend whole body forward as if spewing your breakfast over a small dog
9) Shake all over
10) Turn away and run.

Clearly you must be very fit to try this, I've just given myself a hernia.

This is a very good tip, one that I can see you've put into good practise. It reminds me of a tale by Tofu Roshi who firmly believed in the attaining of complete ignorance. Unlike many gurus, he didn't think this task to be particularly difficult and pointed out that one of his students actually reached near perfect stupidity halfway through his first ever bow.

It wasn't you was it?

Sam

It definitely wasn't me. All I achieved was near-perfect agony. Does that count?

It depends on what kind of face you were pulling at the time. If you were grimacing, really gurning, then yes, you can be said to have reached a state of near perfect stupidity. This is good progress. But there's still room for improvement.

Next time, see if you can fall over, or perhaps even let slip a careless fart. That should keep the master on his toes, and you well placed to enter the gates of the truly stupid.

Don't go changin'.

SamX

....ha ha ha..........

Fooled you all!

No way should you do point 10! That'd cripple you all!

One nil to me !!!

Hmm, trying to reach a state of perfect stupidity sounds a lot easier than trying to reach wisdom or enlightenment. I think I'll redirect my thinking.

I bet Homer Simpson will be a new cultural and spiritual leader

Speaking as one with a hernia as a result of attempting to achieve perfect stupidity, I'm inclined to disagree. Sitting at the top of a snow-capped mountain dressed in an orange sheet sounds a lot less painful.

Some quantum physicists a few years ago decided that it was not, in fact the limit, that information, but not matter ,could be instantly communicated. I don't remember the specifics, but it had something to do with two atoms spinning in unison.

It's called QUANTUM entanglement