Zeno's paradox and toilet paper.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238325)
Walnut Creek, California
April 16, 2021 9:44am CST
I am almost out of toilet paper. Happily, I remember Zeno's paradox (the story of the hare--Achilles, actually-- and the tortoise) and know that I don't ever have to completely run out of toilet paper.
Each time I engage in my morning ritual, I will cut my square in half and use only half of what's left. If I continue doing this over the next few weeks, in theory, I should never be completely out of toilet paper.
Or maybe I'll stop at the Dollar Tree on my way home from work today.
Have you thought of unusual correlaries to Zeno's Paradox?
17 people like this
14 responses
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
16 Apr 21
You´d better go to the Dollar Tree
As for toilet paper, this pandemic has made us think about it in a way that we hadn´t thought for a long time. My solution (if I ever come to that point) is a small piece of cloth (it can be from al old cotton garment) plus plain water. That can be washed with soap or detergent. My two daughters were raised with cotton diapers. Good for nature, bad for the mother.
As for toilet paper, this pandemic has made us think about it in a way that we hadn´t thought for a long time. My solution (if I ever come to that point) is a small piece of cloth (it can be from al old cotton garment) plus plain water. That can be washed with soap or detergent. My two daughters were raised with cotton diapers. Good for nature, bad for the mother.5 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
16 Apr 21
@vandana7
No longer poor. Good hand wash with soap comes in handy.
I am ambidextrous but yes, my parents kind of persuaded me to switch to eating and writing with right hand as a kid.
What they could not change was my bowling and throwing ball in cricket with the left hand.
Now I see more lefties in India.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Apr 21
I have a mathematical mind. I can't help it. I wonder how much of the world's landfills are filled up with "Pampers" and their multinational equivalents. Either cubic meters (metres) or yards are acceptable for those who have the answer.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
16 Apr 21
@vandana7
But as per him, he is also the Indian Prez!!
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51831)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
16 Apr 21
Nope, can't say as I have.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51831)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
16 Apr 21
@vandana7 There are always leaves... 
4 people like this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Apr 21
@BarBaraPrz Do NOT use poison oak to wipe your butt.
5 people like this
@FourWalls (86757)
• United States
16 Apr 21
I don’t do paradoxes. Come to think of it, I’m not much of a fan of Zeno, either.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
16 Apr 21
I think the Dollar Tree is in your future. I refuse to think about an nth of toilet paper doing the job. :-(
4 people like this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Apr 21
@LindaOHio I bet you're right 50% of the time!
3 people like this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
17 Apr 21
No, you just need to stop at Dollar Tree.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209005)
• United States
17 Apr 21
Ahh, no and I don't think I will be limiting myself to a square.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Apr 21
@snowy22315 I decided to abandon my experiment and go to the Dollar Tree.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
16 Apr 21
You should also share a link to Zeno's paradox.. By the way as the Indian Prez you should talk about some Indian things - may be Ancient India Science!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135819)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Apr 21
I hope you stopped at Dollar Tree 
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135819)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Apr 21
@TheHorse Mine has been as I kept it inside most of the day.
Mine has been as I kept it inside most of the day.2 people like this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Apr 21
@wolfgirl569 Inside your trousers? I hope you are not constipated.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52174)
• Staten Island, New York
17 Apr 21
I've never heard of Zeno's paradox. So far, we have yet to run out of toilet paper. 
But I am pretty conservative with it. Hubby, on the other hand, is not. In my opinion he uses too much of it in one shot. I don't think one needs a mountain of toilet paper to wipe one's butt.
But I am pretty conservative with it. Hubby, on the other hand, is not. In my opinion he uses too much of it in one shot. I don't think one needs a mountain of toilet paper to wipe one's butt.2 people like this
@lovebuglena (52174)
• Staten Island, New York
18 Apr 21
@TheHorse 
What happens if you friend really has to go?
Thankfully, our toilets never get clogged. But sometimes the paper doesn't really flush for some weird reason. And when I see it in the toilet it is usually a big amount of it.
What happens if you friend really has to go?
Thankfully, our toilets never get clogged. But sometimes the paper doesn't really flush for some weird reason. And when I see it in the toilet it is usually a big amount of it.1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
16 Apr 21
Do you mean Achilles and the tortoise? I thought the tortoise and the hare was Aesop's story.
I'd say you'd better stop at Dollar Tree on the way home, but that Dollar Tree paper is kinda rough. 
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
17 Apr 21
@TheHorse
Oh you are into story telling as well now!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Apr 21
Aha! There are other versions of the tortoise and the hare story! This is NOT the one I am referring to:
"A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it."
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
2 people like this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
18 Apr 21
That sounds like a disgusting way to not run out of toilet paper sir. As for Dollar Tree toilet paper, they have some amazing values on most things. But their toilet paper is terribly expensive when you consider the cost per square foot. lol
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238325)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Apr 21
@porwest As I understand it, you are Chairmen of your local College Math/Physics/Toilet Paper Department. Are you willing to share you findings with me concerning the most cost-effective toilet paper? Or do I have to read the whole article?
1 person likes this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
19 Apr 21
@TheHorse I wrote an extensive article about this, but now I cannot find it. Let me see what I can find here.
Okay. I found one of them. But it was not extensive. Still, it should sum it up.
We've all seen those television shows portraying the cheapest of the cheap in our society. You know the ones I am talking about. The ones who cut up old clothes, or use old dish towels or rags, and then use those to wipe their dirty posterior...
1 person likes this
