It never ceased to amaze us how elaborate were the processes by which so many were arriving at answers that weren't even close to being mathematically right, answers that weren't even "in the ballpark" so to speak. We couldn't find rhyme, reason or objective sense in the process. It seemed to have made some subjective sense to the one conducting the process though. It seemed to reassure that one that at least some kind of answer was offerred, that he or she was not caught totally unawares.(however in objective fact, that seems exactly what happened, and all that filled the page was a kind of irrelevant idiosyncratic calculus, a gymnastics of coming to terms with lostness, so one could walk away from it without torment of regret) Though I observed this phenomenon and describe it for you I am not separate from it or beyond it. It may manifest in my life in a different way. In the end it all points to our infinite capacity as human beings to deceive ourselves. And when it comes to that, mathematics can often be merciless.....no protective ally whatsoever.
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