h a l f b a k e r yYou think: Aha! We go: ha, ha.
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Using what appears to be a regular abacus you will be amused when Bob from accounting simply states his math problem out loud instead of moving the rosewood-looking beads himself. You will be astounded when the beads move of their own volition to solve the problem on its own.
The voice activated
abacus works using voice recognition software installed on the little computer concealed in the attractive wood frame. The computer will translate the problem into the correct bead movements and solve it using abacusing methods.
The beads are ferrous metal in the center surrounded by a non-magnetic coating to prevent *sticking* to the other beads when the electromagnets are turned on. The rods that the beads slide on are also non-magnetic. Each rod has a number of individually powered magnets internally that turn on and off similar in the way a mag-lev train works that will push and pull the beads into the correct position as the numbers are said aloud.
All you have to do is read the bead positioning when they stop moving and amazed your friends with the latest in abacuser technology.
[link]
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Hear tell they've got these at Abacussby and Finch. (+) |
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Cussing and Abba - an unlikely
partnership - fix your beady eyes on this
croissant + |
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Gets a [-] from me, I'm afraid. The big
advantage of an abacus is that it makes
numbers tangible. |
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Several years from now, your guy from
accounting would be using the same
talking tool (and annoying those on
neighbouring desks). My guy would
have taught his brain rapid arithmetic
by using his hands to solve a problem.
Eventually he would be able to visualise
the abacus in his hands and be able to
do difficult arithmetic in his head. |
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Why don't you just admit you're a Luddite, [st3f]? You're afraid of cutting edge technology. Abacusing you of being a scaredy cat, but that's okay. |
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But just so you know, your guy will end up being some kind of idiot savant while Bob will be promoted to regional Abacusser of the Northwest region. |
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someone will attach threads to each of the beads then speak the math puzzles that cause the threads to weave together, then very smart people will look at the strand and be able to say what was computed. |
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But the beads on an abacus don't pass around and between
each other. They only slide back and forth along their rods.
That can't weave anything without some additional
perpendicular motion. |
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// very smart people will look at the strand and be able to say what was computed. // |
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No they won't, because the abacus isn't a Turing machine. The result gives no information as to how it was obtained. If the displayed information is "23.86" there are an infinite number of arithmetic operations that can produce it, irrespective of the operator applied to the arguments. |
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The threads, beads, perpendicular motion and operator quirks are an intrinsic reality to that particular 23.86 weave. Probably no two equal calculations will be perfectly the same. |
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some similar concepts:
-- Bluetooth-connected plow (Fitbit-style tracking for
ancient-style farming)
-- Electric Steam Engine (Lots of moving brass which
conceals a small electric motor which does the actual work)
-- Social Media Scythe (Takes a selfie with each sheave
harvested, automatically)
-- Artificial Rocks (self-explanatory)
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