#4. Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy

[z0n1x]

To become my friend you have to go through my 7 rants about shit you don’t care about

[inconsistentcampfire]

[120189hearted]

My 12 Favorite 13 Numbers 4 And 8 Their 42 Stories.

The Number Twelve 12

Have You Noticed? 12 Is Everywhere.

12 Hours on clock, 12 Months, December (the 12th month and the next month after this one), 12 Houses, 12 Zodiac Signs (except Ophiuchus, a supposed 13th sign), The 12 Labors Of Hercules, The 12th Tarot Card - The Hanged Man, The 12 Apostles (in Christianity). What else is twelve? My birthday. (But seriously, do let me know if you find more twelve's)

What comes after twelve? Thirteen.

"The Deathly Numbers"

or "Numbers of Death".

Number 13 - Superstitiously known as a number of misfortune due to its past stories related to bad luck and death. But there is so much more behind this number as to why it is associated with death.

Why? Well, "The number 13 may be associated with some famous but undesirable dinner guests. In Norse mythology, the god Loki was 13th to arrive at a feast in Valhalla, where he tricked another attendee into killing the god Baldur. In Christianity, Judas — the apostle who betrayed Jesus — was the 13th guest at the Last Supper." - Barry Markovsky. Judas Iscariot was the 13th guest at the Last Supper.

13 is also famously known as the Death card in Tarot. Death (XIII) is the 13th Major Arcana card. But what does death really mean in this context? First of all, what it does not necessarily mean, is a literal death. Personally, I never viewed death as a bad thing, it is part of life and the Death card shouldn't be seen as something to fear.

Whenever something dies, something else is birthed. The end of something leads to the beginning of something else. Where there is death, there is life. Transformation, rebirth, beginnings / endings, new doors opening / old doors closing, a major change in one's life are all meanings tied up to the Death card. In order to change, to progress, to evolve: you have to let the old "die". The price of change: "Your new life will cost you your old one".

John A. Rice (@ john.a.rice on TikTok) is an artist who has created a tarot deck in his vision and whose interpretation of the Death card was done beautifully. I imagine that he tried to represent spring in it, a season of femininity where everything comes back to life and new beginnings are birthed, which gives even more meaning to the symbolism of death.

What else is 13? The number of drafts I have right now.

Hmm, 13... 1 + 3 = 4. Which brings me to the next "deathly number".

Number 4 - Known as a number of death in China.

Why? The number four in Chinese is associated with death because 'four' (四 , pronounced as sì) sounds similarly in pronunciation to 'death' (死 , pronounced as sǐ).

Other like 4 in Chinese is 14 (十四 , shísì) because it sounds like "is dead".

But what is 4 + 4? 8. Thus leading me to number eight.

Number 8 - Related to the 8th House in Astrology and the cycle of Karma. ∞

In what year are we? 2024. 2 + 0 + 2 + 4 = 8. A karmic year perfectly synchronized with the end of Pluto in Capricorn and the start of Pluto in Aquarius (two zodiac signs both ruled by Saturn, traditionally known as the planet of Karma, Karmic debt. Modernly, Pluto is associated with those themes as well) which call for the death of an era and the birth of a new one.

The meanings number 8 holds are powerful, being the number of infinity because eight sideways looks like ∞ (the symbol of infinity) because Karma is described as an eternal loop or cycle of cause & effect, Karma phala (the consequences of cause and effect, "fruit of actions"). We can also notice this in the Nepalese Endless knot, the knots forming never-ending eight's.

"Karma symbols such as the endless knot are common cultural motifs in Asia. Endless knots symbolize interlinking of cause and effect, a karmic cycle that continues eternally. The endless knot is visible in the center of the prayer wheel."

In Astrology, eight's connections are tied to everything related to the 8th House (transformation, death, rebirth, debt / karmic debt, the taboo things, etc), Pluto, Scorpio, Saturn and Karma.

In Numerology, eight stands for meanings that remind more of Saturn. Number 8 is a symbol of endurance, resilience and strength representing stability. It is the ability to overcome any obstacle no matter how hard it is. It is perseverance. It is authority. It is the continuity of life after death, reincarnation or Saṃsāra. It is the past, present and future. Ultimately, it is the aide-mémoire that everything & everyone is interconnected, that we are all one.

In Tarot, Pluto rules 20th card of the Major Arcana, Judgement (XX) whose meanings are spiritual awakening, rebirth, inner calling, transformation, epiphany, evolution, absolution. In readings, it encourages self evaluation to make life altering decisions in achieving personal growth and progress. The Death card is also ruled by Pluto / Scorpio.

Now, the last number I'd like to talk about is...

The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything: number 42.

The number 42 is significant in Douglas Adams' “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,” because that number is the answer given by a supercomputer to the question “the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.”

In the Buddhist tale the answer to the question, “What is meaning of life?” is, “To be”. 42 is the alphanumerical sum of "To Be". T is the 20th letter of the alphabet. O is the 15th letter of the alphabet. B is the 2nd letter of the alphabet. E is the 5th letter of the alphabet. 20 + 15 + 2 + 5 = 42. The lesson is; “You can have the answer to everything handed to you, that doesn’t mean you have the wisdom to understand the answer.” - JosehfMurchison (someone on the internet)

In programming, an asterisk is commonly used to translate as "whatever you want it to be". In ASCII language, the most basic computer software, "42" is the designation for an asterisk. A computer, Deep Thought, was asked what the true meaning of life was. It answered as a computer would. 42 = "anything you want it to be."

So, what is the meaning of life? 42.

By the end of this post, I hope you'll realize how everything is connected to each other in smaller or bigger ways.

Honorable mentions: Number 9 (In numerology 9 represents the completion of a cycle, realization of full potential, endings & beginnings. And I mentioned 9 also because: Ford Prefect (also called IX) is a fictional character in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by the British author Douglas Adams. May have added this as a hint for a certain something.)

Thank you for your time.

[rockabully]

zaphod beebleilovesexandwomen

edit: everyone pretend like i didnt forget his third arm

[luc1ferian]

Hi I'm thinking about writing a h2g2 and gravity falls crossover fic. I saw your post awhile ago and I was wondering if you had any idea on how the two fords would interact.

Oooh this is a really good idea!

Hm, I haven't properly watched Gravity Falls in a while (I KNOW IM SORRY), but comparing their personalities from what i know they have a couple similarities and differences.

For first interactions I'm not entirely sure how or where, neither of them are naturally social but if someone were to start a conversation it would be Prefect, and once they realize they're both named Ford P. they'd hit off perfectly.

I think they'd love to go out for a small drink and talk about their outlooks on life, about space, their own traumas and relationships, about their research and studies with their respective books (Pines to the Journals, and Prefect to the Guide), and about their plans for future. This interaction could also be a lot funnier depending on the tone you wanted to take.

Ooooh they could also rant about their annoying family members (Zaphod and Stan)

They would also engage in an epic game of Dungeons & More Dungeons no doubt

[leslaras-art]

Arthur Dent when he jams the systems in the Heart of Gold (the tea tasted funny)

[nero-neptune]

idk, i just think that (to a point) Everyone's a product of the media they consume. that's why certain media is called 'formative', esp if you watched it young. one thing you watched/read could’ve lead to an interest which could’ve gotten you to learn/participate in/avoid something you wouldn’t have otherwise. take away all the books you’ve read, movies you’ve watched, music you've listened to, etc etc- you’re likely a totally different person. which is neither good nor bad, that's just called being a person who lives on planet earth.

[lorevelvet]

Some of the patches I’m making for my Nerd Core racing suit. I’m sponsored by all my favourite fandoms!

[dougielombax]

Here we go again.

Parallels

Or

Seeing Patterns in Things that Aren’t Thete

Part 42

World-Building (literally!)

1. The Magrathean people practically made millions out of building specially commissioned custom planets for many such clients.

Eventually they would come to create the Earth for a client species of hyper intelligent pan-dimensional beings.

Along with a copy of the planet also known as Earth Mark II. Functioning as a vast supercomputer to calculate the question to the ultimate answer of the meaning of life, the universe and everything.

- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1978). Douglas Adams.

(Picture taken from the 1981 BBC TV series adaptation)

2. “So am I the only one freaked out by the fact that we’re actually INSIDE the planet?”

- Serina.

Halo Wars (2009)

The Foreunners would similarly create many such shield worlds in their war against the Flood.

(Similar in principle to those built by the Magrathean people but quite different in their intent)

Created as fortress planets.

Hosting research facilities, wildlife conservation projects and many other things.

Creating many shield worlds such as Requiem, Onyx, Trove, Genesis, Bastion (a copy of Earth), among others.

I’d been planning this post for quite some time.

Speaks for itself.

And yes the numbering (42) was an intentional choice.

[g4zdtechtv]

THE PILE PRESENTS: AOTS! - Band Or Law Firm? | 4/22/05

I don’t wanna know what Harry Knowles' basement smells like. But you will learn how to be the Master of Unlocking this episode!

(4GTV - STREAM WHAT YOU PLAY!)

[arley-reads]

Okay then

[inconsistentcampfire]

[haveyoureadthisfanfic]

You mentioned something about sharing books with no romance? Would you be willing to?

- another aroace who's sad that everything has romance in it (and even what doesn't everyone gets shippy)

OKAY get ready

These are just books that don’t feature a romance, but they may have a side romance. I didn’t include books that I dont remember super well or fandom specific books. I included my rating on a scale of 1 to 5 so you can know the general quality (in my opinion). I did not include any books I rated 2 or below.

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson (5/5)

The Martian by Andy Weir (5/5)

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu (3/5)

Ratman’s Notebooks by Stephen Gilbert (5/5)

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen (3/5)

Loveless by Alice Oseman (4.5/5)

The Silence of Bones by June Hur (4/5)

Pretty much anything by Agatha Christie (generally 4/5)

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes (3.5/5)

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (3.5/5)

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (5/5)

Girl In A Bad Place by Kaitlin Ward (3/5)

Wild Bird by Wendelin van Draanen (3/5)

The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz (4/5)

oh the cat’s back (55555/5)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (5/5)

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz (3/5)

[rockabully]

fowd

[fleetn-crab85]

In honor of towel day, I happily present The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as textposts part eleven!

Some of these formatted strangely so click for better quality!

Previous Installments: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

[gallifreyanhotfive]

Random Doctor Who Facts You Might Not Know, Part 14

The Eighth Doctor has described traveling in the TARDIS as "vworp vworp" before.

The Crispy Master was originally not-so-crispy. The Macqueen Maater had created an energy field and electrocuted him several times over until he was quite burnt.

The Doctor once met a Sontaran stand-up comedian.

The Second Doctor once fractured the harmonic resonator on the TARDIS console by hitting it with a football while playing keepy-uppy.

Iris Wildthyme considers the Master to be a "phallocentric dope."

Iris also once proposed to the Doctor in Venice.

And on top of that, Iris once got sick after eating a live Kaled mutant from the shell.

The Hexagora are a race of nomadic insectoids. When an ice age threatened the planet they had settled on, the queen wanted to marry the Fifth Doctor in order to have children that would live long enough to make it out of the ice age.

Chronotis replaced The Worshipful and Ancient Law of Gallifrey with a copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the Panopticon Archive.

Coal Hill School was founded in 1873.

The Blessing Star is a crystal that changes the laws of probability, giving its owner unnaturally good luck. Susan used to take it to school with her in an attempt to make friends.

A regen gun is a Time Lord weapon capable of killing a Time Lord instantly by using up all of their regenerations.

Donna used to receive piano lessons when she was younger, but Sylvia says she was terrible.

The Tenth Doctor likes the movie Splash.

The Second Doctor once took on a cat-like being as a pet. They named the cat Marmaduke, who was an absolute menace.

According to the Eleventh Doctor, the only other dimensionally transcendental vehicle in the universe besides TARDISes are clown cars.

Iris Wildthyme was a member of the Sisterhood of Karn while the Fourth Doctor faced off against Morbius.

The Second Doctor once bought a window that could have "any view" out if it. He chooses a view of his childhood home on Gallifrey. The Seventh Doctor eventually decided that the room the window was in needed to be sealed up.

The Eighth Doctor and Iris Wildthyme once walked together naked in the snow. She used an icicle to slice into his calf, and a baby blue angel was birthed from the Doctor’s leg.

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28