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Death

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Cleanin waffle irons.

Something not mentioned.

[jwhouk]

The pattern of the Gregorian calendar repeats every four thousand years. 

I think four hundred years is enough,

Oops - just a slip of the memory (not working it out or anything).

So in 400 years time, we go through 146,097 days?

[Jazzmaster]

I always find it funny how these comic discussion and speculation threads get going well before the work week is even upon us.

Not that there's a problem with that.  At least it's not like Daft Punk's latest album, which had over 5,000 reviews on the iTunes store before it was even released (and before they even opened the free stream in the iTunes store).

[Kugai]

I've always meant to read the major religious texts, just haven't gotten around to it.

The world was created by a divine being or beings out of a formless void and some people extolled the god(s) they worshiped and were either accepted into some afterlife or were damned and then in the end, the divine being(s) destroys the world.

There you go.  Every religious text ever summarized in one sentence.

Thank you Ambassador G'Kar.

[KOK]

The Hávamál is a great read e.g. (which is where the quote from Valdís' signature originates). It's basically a loose collection of tips on how it's best to lead your life, but only tips, no requirements.

It contains some real gems. My favorite is this: "Who is ashamed to ask is ashamed to learn."

[KOK]

I think Church of Mormon, while arguably Abrahamic in nature, doesn't mention anything about the end of the world.

The Mormons see themselves as a branch of Christianity. It may be that they have no writings of their own on the end of the world, but they share those of other Christians.

In fact, I think most religions don't have anything on end of the world. Three that I can think of right now (that don't) are Egyptian myths, Church of Satan and the World of Warcraft lore (okay, that probably shouldn't count in so far that it is more like history). I am also not sure that Scientology has anything on creation of the world.

A central tenet of the Baha'i faith is that there will never be a last profet. More will always be coming. I think we can deduce their thoughts on the end of the world from this.

[Lubricus]

Looks like we won't get a new strip today. Oh, well, I'm not surprised - Jeph's probably quite worn out after the weekend.

[Loki]

I always find it funny how these comic discussion and speculation threads get going well before the work week is even upon us.

Not that there's a problem with that.  At least it's not like Daft Punk's latest album, which had over 5,000 reviews on the iTunes store before it was even released (and before they even opened the free stream in the iTunes store).

That's because some of us get paid per thread page. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise; they just don't want to share the money. We have a script and everything, but improvisation gives some extra money.
And some of us get boni depending on how off-topic we can get. I think Westrim (?) got a nice profit from that Ender's Game discussion. (I would check who brought that up, but I'm on my phone.)

[westrim]

Looks like we won't get a new strip today. Oh, well, I'm not surprised - Jeph's probably quite worn out after the weekend.

I need to rerename the thread, though...

That's because some of us get paid per thread page. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise; they just don't want to share the money. We have a script and everything, but improvisation gives some extra money.
And some of us get boni depending on how off-topic we can get. I think Westrim (?) got a nice profit from that Ender's Game discussion. (I would check who brought that up, but I'm on my phone.)

Aye, it was me. Good thing too- I was contracted a couple months ago, but I was getting subpar returns the previous few weeks before that turned things around. That's why I wanted to create the thread so much- I get an extra percentage for every page.

[cesariojpn]

In fact, I think most religions don't have anything on end of the world.

Buddhism doesn't have anything hard, just the tenement that nothing lasts forever.

Shinto has no concepts on the End of the World.

[Is it cold in here?]

The tenement? I never of of the Buddha as a slumlord.

[Loki]

That's why I wanted to create the thread so much- I get an extra percentage for every page.

[Skewbrow]

The pattern of the Gregorian calendar repeats every four thousand years. 

I think four hundred years is enough,

Oops - just a slip of the memory (not working it out or anything).

So in 400 years time, we go through 146,097 days?

Well, yes. And that number is divisible by seven, so the calendar repeats every four hundred years. In four centuries there will be exactly 400*12=4800 calendar months. Therefore there will be 4800 thirteenth days of a month. The main point was that 4800 is not a multiple of seven. So the seven weekdays that fall on the thirteenth cannot all be equally likely. As it happens, Friday is among the most frequent (if not the most frequent). I did not check this, but undoubtedly Paul has, and I believe him. I also recall having heard this from some other source.

Of course, you are welcome to make up your mind, whether this has any bearing to your daily life - or even the life of the most superstitious among us. Something that can only be observed in a span of four centuries is unlikely to matter much. But we math folks enjoy working out problems like this.

[Lubricus]

Well, you have to factor in any broken mirrors, black cats crossing your path, walking beneath ladders and so on, too! 

[Loki]

Spilled salt. Don't forget the salt.

[GarandMarine]

How come everyone knows more about Norse Mythology than me?

No major here just a practicing member, popular faith in the US military, it was interesting to try to explain it to a Japanese girl I met at a Shinto shrine today, using about 20 words of English, another 20 of Japanese, gestures and google translate we had a good 45 minute conversation, 15 minutes of which were describing in general our faiths. It was a lot of fun, even if we both walked away a little confused I think

[techkid]

I'm quite enjoying this discussion on religion, belief and faith. It truly is amazing, and a little intriguing (heh, those crazy Scientologists... ).

I don't know if I can put my beliefs in the same boat. I mean, I am baptised Catholic, but I... well, it's not so much that I don't believe in God (or any particular god you'd care to name), but I don't believe in the structures that surround our gods (and goddesses). Unfortunately, these are works of man, and thus are twisted from their true meanings by those at the top of the podium to something that conforms to something that makes us (and them) more comfortable/righteous.

This is not to say I find religion a bad thing. People need guidance, to find the spiritual truth within themselves. But I think it is within our own powers to create a peaceful world, if people could get past their own divisions and try to see the greater whole.

[GarandMarine]

Tech that's my general take on it, all forms of faith are a valid connection to the divine, the key is being spiritual instead of being religious imho

[Method of Madness]

There's nothing wrong with being neither, of course.

[Method of Madness]

There's nothing wrong with being neither, of course.

[jwhouk]

That's because some of us get paid per thread page. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise; they just don't want to share the money. We have a script and everything, but improvisation gives some extra money.
And some of us get boni depending on how off-topic we can get. I think Westrim (?) got a nice profit from that Ender's Game discussion. (I would check who brought that up, but I'm on my phone.)

...I'm still waiting for my paycheck.

[Sidhekin]

it's not so much that I don't believe in God (or any particular god you'd care to name), but I don't believe in the structures that surround our gods (and goddesses). Unfortunately, these are works of man, and thus are twisted from their true meanings by those at the top of the podium to something that conforms to something that makes us (and them) more comfortable/righteous.

This is not to say I find religion a bad thing. People need guidance, to find the spiritual truth within themselves.

Amen.

But I think it is within our own powers to create a peaceful world, if people could get past their own divisions and try to see the greater whole.

Well, some might quibble as to the ownership of "our own" powers ... but the real show-stopper is that "if".  Judgement Day will come before everyone will "get past their own divisions and try to see the greater whole", and it only takes a small minority to end a peace.

(I'm a humanist, honest.  But I've seen too much of human behaviour to reject that kind of cynicism.)

[Border Reiver]

That's because some of us get paid per thread page. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise; they just don't want to share the money. We have a script and everything, but improvisation gives some extra money.
And some of us get boni depending on how off-topic we can get. I think Westrim (?) got a nice profit from that Ender's Game discussion. (I would check who brought that up, but I'm on my phone.)

...I'm still waiting for my paycheck.

I have it on good authority that it's in the mail...

And that they will respect you in the morning, won't mess in you mouth, etc.

[Loki]

...I'm still waiting for my paycheck.

...

you... you mean... you have been creating all those threads and listening to our insanity... for free? 

[jwhouk]

...I'm still waiting for my paycheck.

...

you... you mean... you have been creating all those threads and listening to our insanity... for free? 

Believe it or not, yes.

[Welu]

May I be the first (that I know of) to thank you? Even if I'm not, thank you. 

[Kugai]

How come everyone knows more about Norse Mythology than me? I didn't know you need to be a friggin Norse Mythology major to read this comic!

Oh well. I can blame it on Ankh being further up north than me. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL1acYvpR_E

[FunkyTuba]

gratuitous post so this thread shows up in my "new replies" button

[Carl-E]

You mean you don't just comb through and read all the posts?

[Masterpiece]

You don't use the "notify" button?!

[Method of Madness]

No...ti...fy?

[FunkyTuba]

I find it easier to just bookmark the link under "Show new replies to your posts" and check it... and then I only post in threads I want to follow

[jwhouk]

I find it easier to just bookmark the link under "Show new replies to your posts" and check it... and then I only post in threads I want to follow

Sadly, this.

One reason why I was looking for a vacation from WCDT creation was because I was getting a bit overwhelmed by all the different threads. That, and I was having issues coming up with decent polls.

[Method of Madness]

I always check the new replies, but I don't bookmark. Anything. I'm not sure why.

[Jazzmaster]

Once again Marten is surrounded by cute ladies on his couch and does absolutely nothing about it.

It's not horrible though - I mean, maybe the world needs more dudes who are more about being friends with a lot of people and not just about being friends with a girl to get laid.


Loved Claire's last line in this strip, btw

[cesium133]

If I were young enough not to know better, I'd be tempted to try out Pintsize's pickup line. 

[westrim]

That's the best comeback Claire's had, and by her facial expression it wasn't intentional. I am very in favor of general make outs, especially considering the characters present. Except Pintsize, it can go make out with the waffles.

That's right, Marbear lives with Angus. So, where was she that morning and when Faye came?

Marten looks pretty stunned at potential leaving of his bossy big sister.

[Method of Madness]

I thought Marten and Faye were the same age.

[jmucchiello]

Go Claire!!!

But I really want to know if Pintsize could be nonplussed by that comeback.

[westrim]

I thought Marten and Faye were the same age.

The wiki lacks that information; however, I was referring to attitude, not chronology. Or genetics.

[Method of Madness]

Well it's never said directly in the comic, only that Dora's older than Marten (and probably Faye).

[K1dmor]

 This is the first time Claire and Pintsize met each other, right?

 Also, here's the continuation of the guest strip (since Jeph won't post it):

 

[Method of Madness]

Wait, where'd you get it?

[K1dmor]

 In Here (author's web).

 

The story behind this is that I made a guest comic for QC and Jeph accidentally posted it on Saturday instead of the day he wanted to. So I added this section to it so he would have another page to post on the day he actually wanted to have it. Apparently it never made it to him, or he chose not to use it, but here it is in case you want to see it.

[Loki]

ZOMG! Claire said something vaguely related to makeouts while Marten was in the same room! Clearly that means they are in wuv!


...is what the shippers are thinking right now.

[Carl-E]

Need an adult... what?  Bookstore?  Is she running out of Yaoi? 

And "Marbles" is a brilliant nickname...

[Is it cold in here?]

Level-headed Claire is level-headed.

[Carl-E]

Not a lot of people would be completely unfazed by Pintsize. 

[Lubricus]

Claire is getting better and better! She even outshines Hannelore these days. Today's punchline was excellent!

[Is it cold in here?]

I - I need an adult...

Don't we all.

[KOK]

The Gregorian calendar actually does contain rules for calculating the exact date of easter. The official full moon dates repeat in a cycle of 19 years. Every time a leap year is skipped, the dates are moved one day to compensate. Since the 19 year cycle is not exact, the dates are moved one day every 300 years. Once every 2500 years, the period between adjustments is 400 years in stead of 300, giving a cycle of 2500 years. The dates were moved in 1700 and in 1800. In 1900 a leap year was skipped, but it was 300 years since the system was started, and the two adjustments canceled out. In 2000 the leap year was not skipped, so no adjustment.

This does not mean that the date of easter repeats in a cycle of 2500 years, only that the official date of the full moon does.  Easter is the first sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. How long the cycle is for this I don't know, and it is moot anyway since the system is not going to be in use for that long.

I made a mistake here. It is of course not the predicted date of the full moon that repeats every 2500 years, it is only the pattern of adjustments of that date. The cycle for the date itself is much longer. And the cycle for the date of easter most likley seven times that.