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west is left and right is east

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2015.09.28

Looking at one of Ken's homework assignments, we saw that he'd correctly divined a pattern in a set of diagrams of blocks that grow by accretion. The pattern starts with a single block. In the next diagram, a block has been added to the top of the first, plus one on either side. In the third diagram, this is repeated.

Ken was asked to write a description of the pattern. He wrote, "Add one to the West and add one to the East and add one to the North."

(At least there was no cruel slander about forgetting maps, this time.)

rand()m quote

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

—Douglas Adams