Curious Facts
Page 3
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Despite the fact that most poeple only use a handful of variations, there are in fact 85 different ways to tie a conventional tie.
This was proved by the theoretical physicists Thomas Fink and Yong Mao in their book "the 85 ways to tie a tie - the science and aesthetics of tie knots." In this highly
entertaining, not to mention infinitely useful, book they suggest that whilst tying a cravat may be an art, tyinga tie is a science. "Tie knots, we realised, are equivalent to
persistent random walks on a triagular lattice." No why didn't I thik of that?
- According to knot theory (now an established branch of mathematics), the simplest type of knot is a simple loop. It is known as the unknot. Great.
[Source: the 85 ways to tie a tie.]
- Topologically speaking, a teacup is no different from a doughnut.
Curiouser still, two linked rings are no different topologically from two
unlinked rings; assuming one is thinking in four or more dimensions.
[Source: the 85 ways to tie a tie.]
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In 1996, James Randi established the James Randi Education Foundation (JREF), which aims to promote "critical thinking by reaching out to the public and media with reliable information about paranormal and supernatural ideas so widespread in our society today."
The JREF's formal offer of $1000,000 to any person who is able to demonstrate any kind of psychic, supernatural or paranormal ability under "satisfactory observing conditions" remains unclaimed. (www.randi.org)
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JJ Thomson was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1906 having proved that electrons are particles. 31 years later, his son, GP Thomson, was awarded the
Nobel Prize for proving that electrons are waves. They were both right.
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Half of the human genome is identical to that of the banana.
[New Scientist, 1 July 2000]
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The minuet and trio of Haydn's Symphony No 47 in G (1772) is a musical palindrome; the whole movement sounds exactly the same whether played backwards or forwards.
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