Random Thought
I was thinking... no musing....
Why is it in our culture that people make a big deal out of turning a certain age? Does it really make a difference whether one is forty or thirty-nine? But they sell those black balloons, and cards that only 'celebrate' the tens. I was wondering, why not use numbers that are unique? Why not use prime numbers for every major annual event for men! No driving at sixteen, that's just two to the fourth! Drive at seventeen! Vote and smoke at nineteen; drink at twenty-three. Become a representative at twenty-nine; Senator or President at thirty-seven. Retire at seventy-one. Why worry about forty being middle aged, when forty-one is prime? It works for children - start school at five, become a teenager at thirteen.
I know I know, the system has flaws, like "when does my senior discount start?" but trust me, there is a prime for everyone (like 53 for the AARP members).
Because the culture fears death.
But if the enemy of my enemy is my friend...
Argued by
Andrew Simone |
6:23 PM
You ask: "Does it really make a difference whether one is forty or thirty-nine?"
If your thirty-nine, no.
If your forty, yes.
Argued by
Phineas T. Chamberpot |
3:58 PM
I was really joking, Norris. I just find it strange the arbitrary numbers that we assign to things. Why forty? Really? Why not forty-one at least it is prime, and therefore unique.
I guess in a search for mathematical exactitude in life arbitrariness offends my delicate sensibilities.
To A.S.: even if we fear death, culturally, every one day is closer than the preceding day. So why is it that thirty etc. is considered somehow more special than thirty-two years, two months, sixteen days, four hours, twelve minutes and fifty-one seconds?
Argued by
beitiathustra |
7:01 PM
Good question, the reason is obviously nothing. However, I would slightly reform the statement because I think that 30 is the new 20.
Argued by
Andrew Simone |
1:07 AM