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When we wrote simple mathematics on the Pioneer and Voyager probes I think it was under the assumption that anyone or anything else finding them would have co-d
by benlivengood 2y ago
When we wrote simple mathematics on the Pioneer and Voyager probes I think it was under the assumption that anyone or anything else finding them would have co-discovered enough mathematics to recognize it on the plaques. That's the sense in which I use the word "discovered" for much of mathematics. Our definitions will differ from aliens but the foundations will be translatable.
- kevin_thibedeau 2y agoA sentient entity could well decide to simulate the universe without developing tools to approximate it.
- youoy 2y agoOn a side note, and since you mentioned Roman Numerals in your other comment, I would say that the representation of I, II and III being different from IV is related to how the human brain processes quantities up to 4 [0]. So it is a simple example showing that the way humans process language influences the representation/definition of mathematical ideas. [0] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-023-01709-3 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-023-01709-3