What to make of these scary numbers? Please see...

Comments: 22

Alta B. Jan 20, 2008, 10:05pm EST

Let's hope it is good this time. I am funny about that number too.

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James B. Jan 20, 2008, 11:14pm EST

Thanks, Alta!

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Steve B. Jan 20, 2008, 11:32pm EST

I bought something a while back, and the price at the check out was $6.66. The cashier freaked, and didn't charge me for one of the items so that the price would change. I assured her that "the enemy" had been defeated. He has. Sometimes that number pops up re: something I'm doing, like noticing it when I'm on a cardio machine at my gym. Another number also keeps popping up: 1111. What do you suppose that one means?

James. I checked out the article re: Nanosolar making solar cheaper than coal. I don't know why this isn't all over the mainstream news. Nanogram is another company that is claiming $1/watt solar electricity, which is said to be competitive with coal. Thanks for spreading the news. Please keep doing so.

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Peter C. Frank Jan 21, 2008, 12:45am EST

It's funny in a way; I don't put much faith into "bad" numbers, but I do believe in "good" numbers, like 18 and 13.

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James B. Jan 21, 2008, 1:46am EST

Thanks Steve. I always try to get the cashier to take something off the bill, but it never works. I'd say 1111 means you maxed out your digital meter somewhere.

I'm not really concerned: I was treating the web page more like "found art."

Thanks for the comment about the solar energy news. I think that people may be gun-shy after hearing about solar power for a long time without seeing a whole lot of serious, practical applications, but I have to agree with you, the results look very impressive and noteworthy. It is interesting that more people in Austin picked up on the story than in the rest of the world combined (well, I guess that is one way to look at the numbers, though it may not be strictly true).

Peter: I'll make sure to bet on some good numbers soon! (Well, I don't bet, but, if I did ...). Thanks for the comment. I'll probably dream about irrational numbers tonight. Yikes!

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Vikki M. Jan 21, 2008, 6:53am EST

I'm usually more amused than freaked when three sixes come up. I do recall at one point having that many points here on Gather and I found it funny. I also noticed it on my neighbor's work truck that part of the license plate had three sixes in a row.

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~*~Nina~*~ R. Jan 21, 2008, 9:33am EST

I don't fear the number, but I don't like it! I too know that the enemy is defeated, but I still don't like them!

Thank you so much James for your wonderful comments on my work, and your advice too! I really do appreciate it!!!

Now what is this about solar power?

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James B. Jan 21, 2008, 12:28pm EST

Thanks Vikki and Nina, I'm was just being a bit silly about the numbers, really.

Nina, it was a pleasure to comment on your work. Jim

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Sandy F. Jan 21, 2008, 1:46pm EST

oh please! As an accountant (retired) I know that the only "meaning" to 666 is as a number between 665 and 667.

IMHO, superstition relates to the dark ages and being uneducated.

Superstition:
1. a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
2. a system or collection of such beliefs.
3. a custom or act based on such a belief.
4. irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, esp. in connection with religion.

Oops! Pardon me while I turn around 3 times and toss salt over my shoulder.... I spilled the salt. ===just kidding===

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James B. Jan 21, 2008, 3:47pm EST

Sandy, your humble opinion will suit me fine. I didn't mean to make a big deal out of this, I was just trying to help people find articles about the environment. Jim

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Steve B. Jan 21, 2008, 3:47pm EST

James: "I'd say 1111 means you maxed out your digital meter somewhere."

Damn! I though it meant "four aces". Oh well....

Another article featuring Nanosolar.

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Patrick C. Jan 21, 2008, 9:40pm EST

Wan a scarier # James? Try 150 Billion. Actually 666 isn't bad at all if you look at it this way. 6+6+6=18 1+8=9 ... after that i really dunno.

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James B. Jan 21, 2008, 11:31pm EST

Steve, thanks for the link. I blogged it immediately and it was immediately republished by the Atlanta Journal Constitution!

Patrick: at least you didn't give me a really big scary number, like our National debt! Thanks! I'll sleep well (as long as the irrational numbers don't pry open my dreams).

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Randee "The Court Jester of LaLa Land ! ! !" always and forever, I just want to celebrate Jan 22, 2008, 5:50am EST

I'd go out and buy a lotto ticket, maybe it's your lucky number....LOL

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Steve B. Jan 22, 2008, 11:28am EST

James: "...it was immediately republished by the Atlanta Journal Constitution!"

Great news!!! Thanks!!!

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James B. Jan 24, 2008, 12:40am EST

Thanks Randee LaLa ... Jester for stopping by to read and comment. I'll let you know if I win! (Actually, the gas station up the street sold a winning lottery number that was never claimed. I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of those I buy every couple of years and promptly forget about...)

Steve: they even re-published a second version with my acknowledgment to you.

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Janet H. Jan 25, 2008, 2:31pm EST

Interesting.

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James B. Jan 25, 2008, 3:36pm EST

Thanks Janet!

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James B. Jan 26, 2008, 12:01am EST

Dan, I'm not either. At all. My 13-year old son laughed when he saw the page and I thought I would go with that as a title. Not really appropriate, in retrospect, but if my judgment were always good, I'd be someone else!

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