Everything you say males eminent sense but I think crop circles are just about the only genuine mystery among a whole bunch of pseudo=paranormal rubbish that people believe in. I don't think they're made by aliens but humans making them, if the reported details are true, is also extremely unlikely. But possible! Steve Gray -----Original Message----- From: math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:math-fun-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of David Wilson Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 12:29 PM To: Dan Asimov; math-fun Subject: Re: [math-fun] a certain crop circle and 10 digits of Pi in uk Think about it. If this crop circle were made by aliens, then - These aliens are versed in mathematics. - These aliens use base 10 numerals. - These aliens use decimal fractions. - These aliens use an ellipsis mark similar to our own. - These aliens attach significance to the constant pi. - These aliens prefer pi to, for example, the more fundamental 2pi. Unless these cultural choices are more fundamental than they at first appear, we must assume - These aliens are aware of humans and human culture. Futhermore - These aliens are intelligent. - These aliens are able to communicate with humans. - These aliens use advanced technology to effect physical changes on Earth. Presumably, these aliens are intelligent beings interested in communications with our species. It would make sense that they would try to tell us who and where they are, as we did with the Pioneer plaque. Yet they seem to prefer to use an obscure and senseless communication medium to tell us things we already know. Seriously. _______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun