292

Can we settle this: how many holes does a straw have? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by RealNooshie@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

264 comments fedilink hide all child comments

At work we somehow landed on the topic of how many holes a human has, which then evolved into a heated discussion on the classic question of how many holes does a straw have.

I think it's two, but some people are convinced that it's one, which I just don't understand. What are your thoughts?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] zalack@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

What if you bored from both ends of the cylinder until they meet in the middle?

There would be two holes until, at the moment of contact, it becomes one?

Does the method with which the straw shaft is created influence the number of holes it has?

[-] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

No, topologically there would be no holes until the moment of contact. This is the same as there being no hole when drilling through from only one side until the surface on the opposing side is broken.

[-] Boddhisatva@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago

Yes, but topologists can't tell a doughnut from a coffee cup so they're clearly insane.

[-] Perhaps@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

So how does one “dig a hole?” Straight to China? Or whatever is opposite of you?

[-] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Topologically, yes. Buy you could also go down a bit, make a lateral tunnel, then pop back up.

[-] livus@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

So what you are saying is, if I dig a hole that doesn't go anywhere, then that's not really a hole?

[-] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Topologically, yes. Coincidentally, "Hole to Nowhere" is the best Talking Heads parody album.

[-] livus@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Heh I will have to check that out!

[-] eu@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

In topology, yes. It must go through to count.

[-] livus@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

That's fascinating. So most of what I would call "holes" are what, in topographical terms, hollows? Depressions?

[-] eu@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

I don't even know if they have a name for that since it can simply be undone by stretching the object, which is allowed under topological rules.

[-] TwilightVulpine@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Not only that, but if you pinch it in the middle until the passage closes, could it still be called just one hole?

this post was submitted on 04 Jul 2023

292 points (94.5% liked)

Ask Lemmy

26280 readers

1311 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions

Rules: (interactive)

1) Be nice and; have fun

Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them

2) All posts must end with a '?'

This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?

3) No spam

Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.

4) NSFW is okay, within reason

Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].

5) This is not a support community.

It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.

Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.