There are some numbers that play a quite significant role in our lives. I lack expertise in arithmetic, mathematics and algebra…Here’s my superficial exploration of some numbers.
Zero is the logical numral to start with. At the end of the obligatory 10, 9, 8… count down, there’s an enormous explosive blast, a cloud of smoke and a gradual increase of power and speed.
One comes next. Terms associated with it include alone, first, isolated, solitary, solo, unique and winner. Some religions insist there is only one God. Others worship many deities. Being in the cockpit for the first solo take-off is a exhilarating experience.
Two is next in line. We say shoes, panties and pants come in pairs. We need a pair of spectacles to read, so why don’t we say “…a pair of bras”? Let’s be consistent, eh!
Do you remember the 8 mm home movie days? How about the 16 mm movies shown in your science classes? Then there were the days when the 35 mm Kodachrome slides came in the mail after being processed, always 36 in the yellow box.
Ten is a popular number. Bo Derek certainly deserved a ten in the 1979 move Ten.
According to the Bible, metric God chose to give us ten commandments, not nine or eleven, but the Imperial Catholic Church feels that seven precepts is enough. The founder of the Christian Church appointed twelve apostles, as He knew there was at least one Judas in the flock.
I’m not sure who decreed there were only seven Deadly Sins. I can think of several others that are committed these days.
For some reason, a dozen is 12, yet a baker’s dozen is 13, for some other reason.
The Molson’s, O’Keefe and Pabst drinkers must have lobbied hard to get their ale in cases of 24. The Coke, Pepsi and 7-Up fans only get their beverage of choice in six-packs.
From 1957 to until I switched to digital in 2008, I shot 35 mm Kodachrome slide film using cassettes of thirty-six. Why not 36 mm in cassettes of 35?
There must be a lot of product designers, producers and sellers who are as poor in the sciences of numbers as I have always been. The only reason I was able to eke through an entry test in university was Carol. She was the lady I dated in 1965. Carol wasn’t able to teach me enough math to qualify me as a university candidate. However, she was able to teach me the strategy to pass the test.
Last but not least is 36-24-36. That is not the combination to my bicycle lock. To some, it’s the ideal proportions. Then there are those who deviate: Twiggy, Barbie, and Dolly Parton, to name but a few. And there are others who have chosen silicone augmentation, or whatever one chooses to call it.
I could continue to infinity, but I have a finite amount of space allotted each week. Until next week, à la prochaine!
