If you don't read John Baez's survey article on the octonions, then the terrorists have already won.
Can you think of a better way to spend a chill winter's night than meditating upon the octonions with a snifter of brandy and a spaniel, or perhaps some kind of cat? Possibly a rabbit? Or a Sigmund Freud action figure? (They also have Pope Innocent III.)
(Incidentally, Innocent's scroll reads 'Sons of *Something*, kiss my ass.' Although I'm not sure the word 'asinus' carried anal connotations...I would try to find out via Google, but I'd probably just wind up with porn.)
Posted by aloysius at November 25, 2003 08:59 PM | TrackBack |"Hohenstaufen", the family of Holy Roman Emperors/German kings/kings of Sicily at Innocent's time. The "Son of" refers to emperor Frederick II.
Posted by: Jon Meltzer on November 26, 2003 11:07 AMPerseus, at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/, has a good latin dictionary, Lewis and Short's.
Posted by: Stephan Brun on November 26, 2003 07:17 PMUnfortunately, Lewis and Short are usually a bit light on the obscenity. Which is a real pity.
Posted by: aloysius on November 26, 2003 07:27 PMActually that is a very GOOD summary paper by Baez on octonions. Don't knock what you may not understand. It does however confirm my opinion that most people want to be entertained, not educated.
Stu
Posted by: Stu Savory on November 26, 2003 09:13 PMI know it's a very good paper. That's why I recommended it, silly.
Posted by: aloysius on November 26, 2003 09:17 PM