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AutoModerator t1_iww8qd2 wrote

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Nav-Arc t1_iwwzqhz wrote

I've thought about a trait humans may have that would be superior to an advanced extraterrestrial civilization. Our mathematical logic has been something that crossed my mind. But I always think about how could an advanced civilization occur without some sort of strong math

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ArchTemperedKoala t1_iwx99wl wrote

Yeah especially civs worthy of interplanetary travel.. Those shit need lots of maths..

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Mabi19_ OP t1_iwygy8b wrote

The system of mathematics that we have is a deeply interconnected web, where theorems from very different fields come together in weird ways. For example, you can solve the stolen necklace problem (fairly cutting up a necklace with different types of gems) with the Borsuk-Ulam theorem (topology) by using a hypersphere.

I was thinking mostly of this type of highly abstract maths; we're doing maths to have more maths, while the aliens are doing the maths that they need. As a result, we have a greater understanding of the underlying concepts (see: group theory and the monster), which is rarely useful (for example, we could invent a faster algorithm for doing something, such as the Fast Fourier Transform).

In short, the aliens would still have complex numbers (see Schrodinger equation, for example), advanced calculus and the like. But, of course, one of the best things about r/WritingPrompts is that the prompts can be interpreted in very different ways.

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[deleted] t1_iwyubk7 wrote

I don't understand a single word you just said so I'm gonna take your word for that lol

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Mabi19_ OP t1_iww8z9j wrote

I think this is a difficult topic to handle, but I've had this idea for a while now and there's no harm in posting it.

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SirPiecemaker t1_iwwxnnt wrote

I got you. I've thought of just the thing.

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S1eepyZ t1_iwwy5vl wrote

You always make good stories, could you tell me when it’s done?

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SirPiecemaker t1_iwx0h0z wrote

Already done, my friend. I'm honoured that you remember me specifically.

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S1eepyZ t1_iwxa13z wrote

It’s partially because your goose profile pic looks like a 2 footed goblin thing with an open mouth when you don’t pay close attention when scrolling mobile, but I do remember your stories are always good.

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Whyzocker t1_iwxwdkr wrote

I always dislike when prompts are written in a way that doesnt really make sense.

All of our space fairing and other advancements are based on the cutting edge of technology that can only really exist with out current mathematics. Sure there are some fringe mathematical concepts that dont have real life applications yet, but if there's another space fairing civilization out there, they sure as hell know at least as much maths as us.

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Zeroth-unit t1_iwxxp04 wrote

I feel like the way to approach this prompt isn't really with tackling being a spacefaring race but all the other things we've done with mathematics.

Cryptography and encryption, data and signal processing, computer science, silicon-based AI and neural nets, all of that also requires math and it's conceivable that other species wouldn't go down the information technology route since it's possible that they never develop the need to. A good example of an alternate reality where our level of math didn't materialize is the Fallout universe where they practically never went past vacuum tube technology for things so information technology isn't as advanced as our microchip-laden world today. Sure they have advanced tech in other ways but it's not ubiquitous to the point of mundanity like us.

A prompt could then tackle for example a race that only needed the math to do orbital mechanics but only ever used light signals and other forms of simple visual communication that aren't very information dense vs us who can beam down images and video from probes all the way from Pluto.

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the_very_next_day t1_iwymvtc wrote

you kinda need those things for exploring space too though...

but i like your idea, it explores the dichotomy of the information revolution we got, vs the space revolution we thought we would get

a similar theme is explored by asimov where by inventing time travel humanity turned inward on itself instead of outward to space.

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GameMusic t1_iwxptor wrote

Finally a space writing prompt in which human society is not just space orcs or the diplomats

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DS_Spirit03 t1_iwxml79 wrote

Those octonions and surreal numbers will finally have practical applications in wowing aliens.

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ShutUpYoureWrong_ t1_iwy6hx3 wrote

This prompt doesn't make much sense. Intelligence is widely understood to be correlated directly with mathematics. No mathematics, no intelligence.

"But the online IQ test I took..."

No. Legit IQ tests are essentially all math (with just enough language to comprehend what math questions they're asking).

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ixiox t1_iwyow3b wrote

Well this isn't mathematical ability, its mathematics knowledge, a more intelligent alien could just guess a lot of stuff better than humans, not needing complex equations or theorems, or they could be quicker at simpler maths,

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Ranakastrasz t1_iwxse09 wrote

I kinda expected this to specifically give them massive hacking capabilities, given usage of advanced math to break each successive generation of codes.

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