Infinity symbol inside of an absolute value Tattoo

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the idea of getting a tattoo featuring the infinity symbol inside of an absolute value. Participants explore the mathematical implications, personal meanings, and cultural perceptions of tattoos, particularly in relation to mathematics and identity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the mathematical correctness of the tattoo idea, noting that the absolute value of infinity simplifies to infinity.
  • Another participant asks about the personal significance of the absolute value of infinity to the individual considering the tattoo.
  • Some participants argue that the concept is redundant since infinity is already positive, suggesting that a tattoo should have deeper meaning.
  • There are humorous suggestions for alternative tattoos, including the Gamma function and various mathematical symbols.
  • Several participants reflect on the permanence of tattoos and whether they will still be appealing in the future.
  • Discussion includes cultural perspectives on tattoos, with some asserting they are primarily for sailors and Marines, while others argue that tattoos serve various social functions across cultures.
  • One participant mentions the Yakuza tattoos in Japan, highlighting the cultural significance and the hidden nature of such tattoos.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions, with no clear consensus on the appropriateness or meaning of the tattoo idea. Some agree on the redundancy of the mathematical concept, while others emphasize personal significance and cultural context.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of tattoo permanence and cultural meanings, but there are unresolved questions about the significance of mathematical symbols in personal expression.

IanTBlack
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I've been thinking about getting a tattoo. I was considering getting the infinity symbol inside of an absolute value. Or the absolute value of infinity. Whichever you prefer.

How mathematically correct is that? The absolute value of infinity simplified is infinity is it not? Will I completely embarrass myself if I get it. I would be the only who gets it but if I were to show my math professor would he laugh?
 
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What does the absolute value of infinity mean to you that you would wish to have it emblazoned upon you?
 


Always continue. Or continuance is absolute. Something along those lines.
 


But it's redundant. \infty is already positive, so |\infty| is the same thing as \infty. If you're going to mark your skin with something fairly permanent, might as well do so with something that has some meaning.
 


[PLAIN]http://news.bmezine.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/eulers-identity.jpg
 
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This conversation makes me want to get a tattoo of the Gamma function...
 


Somehwere here on PF is a guy who wanted a tattoo showing the alignment of the planets on the day of his birth. I whipped up a graphic for him showing it.
 


DaveC426913 said:
Somehwere here on PF is a guy who wanted a tattoo showing the alignment of the planets on the day of his birth. I whipped up a graphic for him showing it.

Um. Hrm. D'you suppose that was supposed to be for future reference in case of an astrological-reading emergency and that information wasn't written down elsewhere? :biggrin:
 


You should get a tattoo of Picard facepalm moment. Absolute value of infinity! weaksauce
 
  • #10


GeorginaS said:
Um. Hrm. D'you suppose that was supposed to be for future reference in case of an astrological-reading emergency and that information wasn't written down elsewhere? :biggrin:
Or the pulsar map from the voyager plaque - in case you ever got REALLY lost
 
  • #12


Get a bumper sticker instead. That way, if the absolute value of infinity ever changes, you'll be golden.
 
  • #13


Mark44 said:
But it's redundant. \infty is already positive, so |\infty| is the same thing as \infty. If you're going to mark your skin with something fairly permanent, might as well do so with something that has some meaning.
He could get |-\infty|. It's the same thing and it isn't redundant.
 
  • #14


perpendicularmotion.png


I'm going to get a tattoo of this concept!
 
  • #15


You could get a tattoo of your favourite "proof without words"
 
  • #16


TubbaBlubba said:
perpendicularmotion.png


I'm going to get a tattoo of this concept!
PF has a strict policy against cars that go backwards.
 
  • #17


Couple of suggestions

http://www.cynical-c.com/archives/bloggraphics/thorium.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bgWiJzU03_U/SqZoUpF_gJI/AAAAAAAAAR0/RiyCmRdVLcE/s400/serotonin.jpg
http://www.disgruntled-dutch.com/media/2006/11/takeittux.jpg
Or just an entire periodic table, caffeine molecule or carbon inside theme, BSD daemon tattoo, or some corny line like 'all your base are belong to us' or 'when an irresistable force meets an immovable object', some math formulas, words spelled with chemical names, etc

oh oh.. rock paper scissors lizard spock http://aishahrox.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/rock_paper_scissors_lizard_spock.jpg
 
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  • #18


The real question is whether or not it will still look appealing when you are 80.:rolleyes:
 
  • #19


~christina~ said:
The real question is whether or not it will still look appealing when you are 80.:rolleyes:

Some of these guys are still stayin sexy: http://bgink.com/en/?p=84
:-p
 
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  • #20


I like the discussions people have about getting a tattoo. It's basically "I want to have this image branded on me for the rest of my life"... "Well, maybe not that image exactly, but I do want to deface my skin with something."
 
  • #21


If you get infinity tattooed... get it as a tramp-stamp. I would die for a woman with the gamma function or delta function as a tramp-stamp.

That being said, tattoos are forever and people always change. That seems to be a contradiction to me.
 
  • #22


~christina~ said:
The real question is whether or not it will still look appealing when you are 80.:rolleyes:

Just smoke a lot, and become a daredevil, things will work themselves out.
 
  • #23


Having a tattoo is a bit like having -Ph.D. after your name.

(Note the negative :-)
 
  • #24


That's funny haha.

How accurate is the pulsar map on the pioneer plaque?
 
  • #25


IanTBlack said:
That's funny haha.

How accurate is the pulsar map on the pioneer plaque?

In the most literal sense, it is accurate enough for government work. :)
 
  • #26


So you're saying I can get lost in the far reaches of space and shabam! I have an accurate map to Earth on my body? Hahahaha
 
  • #27


Would you like to get beat up now, or later?
 
  • #28


Why would that happen?
 
  • #29


KalamMekhar said:
Would you like to get beat up now, or later?

I prefer later...
 
  • #30


Tattoos are for sailors and Marines.
 

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