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

One would have thought that judging by mr. Adams' postings regarding anything that has the slightest resemblance of the 42.topic, he would get very upset if the Admins of H2G2 issued him with the research number 42. This is, obviously, not the case. One is startled.

But what can you do?

Let's face it, who else would get 42?

We have to give the public what they want.

(Sorry, Douglas.)

We're in a lose-lose situtation. If we *hadn't* given Douglas that number, then there'd be an endless string of people asking why we hadn't.

At least this way, we're not attracting comment from people who don't get how annoying the whole the situation must be.

I take it then that you won't be auctioning off researcher numbers like number plates.

Jim; Wowbagger and myself have started insulting each other on his home page. Nothing spectacular yet, but I thought I should point it out in case you wanted to stamp it out, join in or referee. I think a collection of insults would make a great addition to the guide. If you disagree, come along and tell me what you think of me.

What about 1764 and 74088?
Where was it that I read about the possible factual significance of 42? Molybdenum was mentioned. It might have been in the radio scripts, which I haven't seen for ten years. Does anyone know what I mean?
PS I'd like to thank Douglas for allowing me to win £20 on the lottery by influencing my choice of numbers.

Mr. Adams, I'm not sure about what one could do about it. I suppose that since you now live in the US and since guns are easily purchased there, you could buy one, go to your office and with the power invested by you in the gun make it clear to one and all who the bleedin' boss is, no?

I would actually have thought that you would give the 42 slot to Ford Prefect, as being the researcher we all know and have come to hate...

Hey, mr Adams. Even if the 42 issue must have grown a paining fistle in the what-not, it must be most gratifying to have come up with an item that paople all over the world are talking about, forming cults about and believe in. Must make one feel quite friedrich nietzche-ish, must it not? My guess is that this was how the whole busniess about creation and the bible once started.

Ok, so maybe you still live in Islington then...

I know I'm changing the subject completely, but does anybody know if DNA ever got round to writing the 3rd Dirk Gently novel I heard rumours about?

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Just to save the other guys some trouble, you understand.

Thankyou very much, that was very helpful.

Now I have some more questions for you

1 of 1874038958
Not really, only joking

For what it's worth, the answers to your next three questions are yes, no, and not tonight, I have a headache. But I may be wrong.

Yes you are but don't let it worry you.

I'm frequently wrong but if I say itwith conviction and a straight face they believe me anyway

Instead of 42, why didn't you give him 1?
I looked at 1 before I tried 42.

So did I, only I wasn't actually looking for DNA, I was just wondering who had the number 1.

I don't see why he wouldn't be number 42... at least that way if anyone wonders which researcher he is they already know the Answer. And it just wouldn't be right for any other researcher to have that number.