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The number of its name is generated similar to a hash. And it existed outside of and before the beast reference as a cultural trend. It’s seen multiple times in

The number of its name is generated similar to a hash. And it existed outside of and before the beast reference as a cultural trend. It’s seen multiple times in ancient writing. It’s funny because it’s a reference to a common way to encode/obscure the name of someone, not literally a mark on the most evil person spawned from hell, and with all we know today people still believe it’s a physical mark that will identify evil or turn one towards evil. That shit is hilarious.

dane-pgp 5y ago
I agree that the number is generated like a hash, and that this "hashing algorithm" existed before Revelation was written. I don't think anyone disputes that. The context, though, is: "[The second beast] causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark". That sounds like a literal mark to me, not just a hash function.
- codezero 5y ago
  Yeah I think we are agreeing. I’m just saying it’s a funny interpretation that Revelations took of that technique to make it physical and believing that interpretation when there is prior art is also funny.
  - dane-pgp 5y ago
    I believe there was also prior art for slave owners branding or tattooing slaves with their initials[0], so it is quite logical for the Book of Revelation to describe a Beast doing this to people who were enslaved to it. Using a numeric hash of the name instead of the text form also makes sense, just like the way TLS certificates use hashes of the domain name (and other details). I guess I just don't see the funny side because what is described in Revelation is reminiscent of both terrible abuses of the past and modern day infringements of rights. [0] https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/article/tattoos-in-roman-world/ https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/article/tattoos-in-roman-world...
    - codezero 5y ago
      Ah, good point. Thanks for saying that and I apologize for my absurdity. I nonetheless do still find it funny that people in the information age still believe in bronze age concepts used to describe the world.

dane-pgp 5y ago

I agree that the number is generated like a hash, and that this "hashing algorithm" existed before Revelation was written. I don't think anyone disputes that. The context, though, is: "[The second beast] causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark". That sounds like a literal mark to me, not just a hash function.

codezero 5y ago
Yeah I think we are agreeing. I’m just saying it’s a funny interpretation that Revelations took of that technique to make it physical and believing that interpretation when there is prior art is also funny.
- dane-pgp 5y ago
  I believe there was also prior art for slave owners branding or tattooing slaves with their initials[0], so it is quite logical for the Book of Revelation to describe a Beast doing this to people who were enslaved to it. Using a numeric hash of the name instead of the text form also makes sense, just like the way TLS certificates use hashes of the domain name (and other details). I guess I just don't see the funny side because what is described in Revelation is reminiscent of both terrible abuses of the past and modern day infringements of rights. [0] https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/article/tattoos-in-roman-world/ https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/article/tattoos-in-roman-world...
  - codezero 5y ago
    Ah, good point. Thanks for saying that and I apologize for my absurdity. I nonetheless do still find it funny that people in the information age still believe in bronze age concepts used to describe the world.