42

I’m cheating a bit with today’s post but in my own defense I did tell my daughter yesterday that she should read the ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ because it’s one of the most important books of All Times. As ths is Synchronicity Week in Forres I just found out that there is to be a new sequel to THH’sG next year written by Eoin Colfer (of Artemis Fowl fame) It is already titled “And another thing...”

Then, as the third synchronistic occurence, I found the following in the BBC on-line magazine:

<< Following our piece speculating what Douglas Adams meant when he revealed the meaning of life to be 42 in the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy here is a selection of your suggestions.


1) If I recall correctly the "Infinite Improbability Drive" was prototyped in a nice, hot cup of tea. Arthur Dent, the last surviving fragment of the Earth project to calculate the answer to life, the universe, and everything, also exhibited a taste for tea. Coincidence? I haven't got the faintest idea if this is the rationale that Douglas Adams had for computing the number 42. But the ideal way to enjoy a cuppa is when you have someone else for company. That's tea for two, and two for tea. Or as Deep Thought may have put it: "For tea, two."
Ian Mitchell, Barnard Castle, UK


2) We are at sixes and sevens about trying to understand life, the universe and everything, meaning we are in a state of total confusion or disarray. The product of six multiplied by seven is 42. So 42 is a summary statement that we will always be confused about the big question.
Tim Lee, Hertfordshire, UK

If you take A as one, B as two, C as three, and so on, then add up D Adams it comes to 42. Also, if you want wine gums (as I often do) in our canteen you press 42 to get them. If, as Adams suggested, the entirety of the universe can be extrapolated from fairy cake, perhaps wine gums can provide a more teleological counterpoint.
Nicky Westwood, Birmingham, UK

There’s always one who takes the fun out of it isn’t there? Here she comes.....

3) Matthew 1:17: "All the generations, then, from Abraham until David were 14 generations, and from David until the deportation to Babylon 14 generations, and from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ 14 generations." All things lead to the Christ. An obvious answer to life, the universe, and everything.
KaTie, Watford

Now this is the answer that gets my vote...

4) There you all go again, the answer is simple. Look at the number of whiskers on a mouse.
Churchill Hornstein, Wilmington, Ursa Minor