Hampshire College changes speed limits to honor math professor | Hacker News Reader

Hampshire College changes speed limits to honor math professor

bostonglobe.com

60 pointstokenadult13 comments

I have fond memories of taking a class with David Kelly and listening to his ranting about why 17 is objectively the best number. ("For example, the average length of a Giraffe's tongue is 17 inches! What more do you need?") He also hated the number 23 "because it's the mortal enemy of 17, I don't have time to explain why." While I was in the class the movie "23" came out: he urged us all to boycott the film, or better, form a picket line.

Not only is it cool to honor David Kelly, it's also probably more useful to have a speed limit like 17 vs 15. The thinking is that 15 feels generic where as 17 is specific.

What? Those are completely arbitrary descriptors. I think 15 feels specific because it's a multiple of 5. While I don't know the history of using multiples of 5 as speed limits, I do know I'm easily able to tell when I'm driving at a multiple of 5 due to my car's speedometer layout.

I've heard this is the reason why Disneyland sets their parking lot speed limit to 14 MPH. I can confirm that it is 14 MPH. Never bothered to confirm that this is the reason why.

Hey all, I've never registered or written on HN; I'm most definitively not a hacker. I barely speak computer.

I am an F '85 alumnus. I just wanted to say hello, my guess is that most of the responders here went to Hampshire, too. I know a few who are diehard computer-builders, but, since I left that notorious social media platform, I've not been in touch.

I'm in Vermont, if any of you are of that crew, You'd likely guess who I am based on that tid bit.

I doubt it, I simply wanted to extend my well wishes, and send my support.

Saudade; nostalgia brings fond memories.

Be Well, and Take Good Care...

~RA

We do that (amongst a few friends), we pick a time such as 3:22 to meet up. I wish I could recall why we started doing this, but it always feels purposeful.

The advice to use specific times to encourage punctuality has been going around for decades, if not longer. I recall reading this advice in the 1970s.

I don't know if there's any basis for this practice in fact, but I know of at least one second-order effect: When someone invites me to a meeting at an odd time, I always presume they are making an effort to get everyone to show up on time, and that motivates me to make sure I'm not the straggler!

Hah, I'll have to pay attention to see whether or not my thinking works along those lines as well next time!

Does it have to do with the video game Dota 2? 322 is a famous number in the Dota community because a pro player once bet against himself for a payout of $322.

Nope, it does not. He finished at the gym around that time and I was free around that time so that day that was the time picked :)

In college I woke up at 8:17; now I wake up at 5:53. Just seemed like good numbers!

That's sweet! It should be noted that Michael Spivak shares the blame for Yellow Pig and 17: http://www.vinc17.org/yp17/index.en.html

David Kelly was my advisor (1976 - 80). He is one of the greatest educators I've ever encountered, in any subject.

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