Arts

Dear Wimble,

why is it that the author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams thought that the number 42 is known through out the world as the answer to the ultimate question of life the universe and everything?

-=\’ Fly ‘/=-

Dear -=\’ Fly ‘/=-,

This is an excellent question. Douglas Adams was one of the best authors of all time. Unfortunately, he lost his life at the young age of 49. Anyway, your question is very easy to answer for the Great Wimble.

Let me first answer your question, and then I will explain why 42 is so vastly important. If you were familiar with the many interviews that Adams gave throughout the years, you would know the answer. For starters, 42 is known throughout the world as the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything because of his series of books beginning with the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas, however, knew that this number was unimportant because it was merely just thought. It was merely a random answer to the ultimate question that he knew would confuse his readers.

Now, with the answer out of the way, let’s look at some reasons why 42 is the answer to the ultimate question, or is it?

If you really want to understand this answer, you must read this book. Otherwise, it may make little sense.

Adams stated in his book that the question, at one point, was 6 x 9. However, most people can determine that 6 x 9 does not actually equal 42. In all reality, it is equal to 54. Now, that would make one think that 42 is not the answer to the question 6 x 9. However, many people were able to realize that 6 x 9 DOES actually equal 42. That is in base 13. Only then is it equal to 42. However, this idea is thrown out the window when Adams stated the fact that anyone who makes jokes in base 13 should get help. Therefore, that disproves that 42 is the true answer to 6 x 9 as first concluded.

Now, let’s think about something. According to science, what made life, the universe, and everything? That’s quite simple. The Big Bang. Now, lets look at this a little closer. Lets look at the letters in the words BIG BANG. Ok, that was simple. Now, lets agree that A is the first letter in the alphabet, B is the second, etc. Therefore, A = 1, B = 2, and so on. Now, let’s look at the word in terms of numbers. 2 9 7 2 1 14 7. Now, add those numbers together, and what do you get? 42!!! So, perhaps the answer to the ultimate question is actually 42 which represent the Big Bang. Now that makes more sense. Especially considering the fact that Adams used the words Gnab Gib in his book (read it backwards).

So there’s your answer. When decoded, the answer to the ultimate question is the Big Bang.

I was just thinking. Why was President Clinton so popular? No, it’s not because of his “sexual relations with Miss Lewinsky”. In all reality it is because he was the 42nd President. See, 42 is popular. Just don’t try saying that Bill Clinton is the answer to the ultimate question. Cause that answer would actually be Lewinsky.

Wimble