3 ms·
> I recall reading a parabolic quote ... ITYM a hyperbolic quote. A parabolic quote would describe an arc like a thrown ball, which eventually falls back to ea
by lutusp 12y ago
> I recall reading a parabolic quote ...
ITYM a hyperbolic quote. A parabolic quote would describe an arc like a thrown ball, which eventually falls back to earth. A hyperbolic quote would escape toward infinity, which is the intended sense of the expression derived from the shapes of conic sections.
- acron0 12y agoHmm, Wordnik[1] tells me 'parabolic' also means 'Of or similar to a parable'. [1] | https://www.wordnik.com/words/parabolic https://www.wordnik.com/words/parabolic
- lutusp 12y agoYes, okay, but the original quote isn't a parable in the classic sense -- no moral or spiritual guidance present. That led me to consider the mathematical/geometric meaning. Saying that all software projects end up being reimplementations of X windows is certainly hyperbolic. And, sorry to say, I couldn't locate the original quote either.
- acron0 12y agoYou're correct. Perhaps "having the properties of a parable" was an inference too far. I've amended the original post.
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]