- #1
etotheipi
Here is an elephant. 
Can an Elephant Be Graphed? A Look at Von Neumann's Approach
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- Thread starter etotheipi
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the whimsical concept of graphing an elephant, inspired by Von Neumann's approach. It includes playful exchanges about elephants, their features, and a transition to related topics like penguins and woolly mammoths. The scope appears to be light-hearted and exploratory, with elements of creativity and humor.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Participants share playful representations of an elephant, including naming it "Elliot" and discussing its features like tusks.
- Some participants express preferences for elephants over other animals, such as bats and penguins, highlighting personal connections to these creatures.
- There is a humorous suggestion about the absence of tusks being due to Elliot's age, with one participant mentioning a "tusk update."
- References are made to related animals, including a woolly mammoth named Mathew, suggesting a broader context of animal representation.
- Participants mention integrating colors into their representations, indicating a creative approach to visualizing the concept.
- Links to external sources about Von Neumann's approach and a film titled "Elephant Walk" are provided, suggesting a connection to broader discussions on the topic.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally engage in light-hearted banter without significant disagreement. The discussion remains playful and exploratory, with no clear consensus on the main topic.
Contextual Notes
The discussion lacks formal definitions or rigorous mathematical frameworks, relying instead on playful interpretations and personal anecdotes. There are references to external sources that may provide additional context but are not elaborated upon within the thread.
Who May Find This Useful
Readers interested in creative representations of animals, light-hearted discussions about mathematics and graphing, or those who enjoy whimsical exchanges about animals may find this thread engaging.
- #2
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- #3
etotheipi
bats are scary, i like elephants more because they have big trunks
- #4
jedishrfu
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Where did the tusks go?
- #5
etotheipi
i added it, do you like it? ☺
- #6
jedishrfu
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Next stop a woolly mammoth.
To celebrate some popcorn and a movie staring Sabu.
To celebrate some popcorn and a movie staring Sabu.
- #7
etotheipi
i'm going to call him elliot the elephant
- #8
hutchphd
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I'm glad the poachers did not get his ivory. That would be dis-tusking.
(Its your fault...)
(Its your fault...)
- #9
etotheipi
don't worry, elliot just hadn't grown tusks yet
anyway, what are your thoughts on penguins?
anyway, what are your thoughts on penguins?
- #10
etotheipi
I like their little stumpy fins 
- #11
berkeman
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Transparent tusks! High-tech!etotheipi said:
I've had bad experiences with penguins...etotheipi said:
- #12
etotheipi
also my favourite animal is called 3,4,4,5-tetramethyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone, but you might know him better as penguinone
- #13
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etotheipi said:Here is an elephant.
So let's see the expressions to make this :)
- #14
etotheipi
Greg Bernhardt said:
sadly sir desmos did not save a copy of elliot; the only remnant I have left of him is a screenshot of some of his early dna, long before the tusk update which introduced elliot mark 1.0.3
There is also Mathew the woolly mammoth, elliot's older cousin:
- #15
A.T.
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The general approach:
- #16
Mayhem
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Now color it in by integrating it!
- #17
eltodesukane
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- #18
TeethWhitener
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Von Neumann’s take:
https://www.johndcook.com/blog/2011/06/21/how-to-fit-an-elephant/
https://www.johndcook.com/blog/2011/06/21/how-to-fit-an-elephant/
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