Re: VMs: Folio and Quire numbers

[Dennis <tsalagi@xxxxxxxx>]

Bruce Grant wrote:
> 
> In a sense, the problem of the VM is like the problem of the universe -
> given only one example, it's difficult to say whether it is typical or
> atypical of its species.
> 
> Reminds me of the old joke about the ultimate philosophy exam consisting
> of a single question:

>          "Explain the universe. (Give two examples)."

	I think science fiction writers have speculated about
this at least some.  I remember an old sci-fi novel,
*The Gods Themselves* by Isaac Asimov. In it there
exists a universe, parallel to our own, in which the
electro-
magnetic force is somewhat weaker than in our own and
therefore solid objects may merge to some extent. 
There is a parallel story in this other universe where
there are three sexes and three protagonists, Odeen,
Dua, and Tritt (our linguists and Slavicists will
smile).  

	The title of the book comes from a quote (by
Schiller?): "Against folly, the gods themselves contend
in vain."  Is this, perhaps, why we've never
succeeded?  ;-)

Dennis
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