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

Entry: The answer to life the universe and everything - A35259771
Author: henryprefect - U11266246

Its now just an idea.

Yes, but what's the question?

whats 6x9?

What is the scaling factor in the leading order term of the sixth moment of the Riemann zeta function?

The molybdenum factor: what is the angle for which a appears?

42 is a full English breakfast, without the baked beans.

The proof, the meal ticket from the Prees Heath truckers cafe, is in my hand. The peace of mind since that day in March has been astonishing but it all seems so obvious now - what else would be the answer to life, the universe and everything?

What I meant to say is there isn't a 'the question'. It's 'every' question you see. The answer to L,the U and E has to answer every question and 42, the full English breakfast without beans, does.

Oh, I'm afraid that there is a 'The Question'. A simple question to which the answer is 42, forty-two, 6x7, etc. that encompasses all of the philosophical, theological, and personal questions ever asked.

Douglas Adams suggested that it was a randomly selected 'funny' and mundane number'. [Random? Really? 6x9 in base 13? 101010? Random? - He was obviously channeling

What is the meaning of life?
What is our purpose?
What is right and fair, or right and wrong?
What's the deal with the Duckbilled Platypus?
Does it really cosmically matter if I get up and go to work in the morning?

Frankie Mouse, One of the pan-dimensional beings that wanted Arthur's brain 'processed' got disturbingly close when he opined:
“I mean, yes idealism, yes the dignity of pure research, yes the pursuit of truth in all its forms, but there comes a point I'm afraid where you begin to suspect that if there's any real truth it's that the entire multi-dimensional infinity of the Universe is almost certainly being run by a bunch of maniacs; and if it comes to a choice between spending another ten million years finding that out or on the other hand just taking the money and running, then I for one could do with the exercise.[1]

Stephen Fry, friend of Adams, has claimed that Adams told him "exactly why 42". He reported that the 'why' was “ fascinating, extraordinary and, when you think hard about it, completely obvious.” [True]
Fry says that he had to vow not to tell anyone, and that the secret must go with him to the grave.

Those of us who 'know' the answer seem to all feel the same way. That the world, much less the galaxy, is ready for 'The Question' and 'The Answer', simultaneously.

It's somewhat difficult to express and explain, but completely obvious when the explanation is understood. But, only Prak could tell us if they are 'True'.

Still, for those up to a challenge (perhaps THE challenge), I'll provide some tips to help you avoid some of the traps.

The question, as defined in the Hitchhikers' lore, must be simple and direct.
The answer must be expected to be numerical (the answer being 42) and convertible to any foreign or alien numbering system where there is sentient enough life to understand it.
It obviously cannot be a yes or no question, or an A, B, C question, although it may be a 'why' question if the answer could be 42.
It is the ULTIMATE question of Life, the Universe, and Everything! So it cannot be something so mundane as to apply only to the Earth, Earthlings, the Sol solar system, etc.
It cannot specifically speak to life, unless it also applies to the rest of the universe and the whole general mish-mash of existence.

Lastly, I would suggest that your time might be better spent on more profitable though, but good luck to those who work towards a solution.

If pressed, I would agree to review a couple of responses from any researcher, but only with a "Nope" or "Yes!" as I don't want to encourage a lot of wasted energy and don't want to spend much time standing in judgement of anybody's thoughts.


Very lastly, it is always possible the the same question does not work for everybody; that the questions, even with the same answer, can be personal, as long as each is cosmically large enough and small enough at the same time.

I'm already regretting posting this.

(I'm sorry, I'm lost for words )

The Answer to L U & E for me is still full English breakfast without beans .

And I still have my No. 42 meal ticket from the truckers' caf.

How many stories are there in the Cathedral of Learning, the University of Pittsburgh's private tardis?

Ah, LLWaz:

There may be many ultimate answers, on as many subjects, as individual as the English breakfast; but I was speaking of the Ultimate Question, not the Ultimate Answer.

Specifically, I was speaking of the Ultimate question as defined in the Hitchhikers' lore, to which the Answer is 42.

Your answer is just fine! It just represents the result of a different question.