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[UPDATE] silverladder.com week 10: 13/01/08 - 19/01/08
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analogwatch
Unfettered


Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 306
Location: Hazel Park, MI

 		Super-long post incoming.

I've been writing back and forth with Edwin, nothing really of consequence, except for this one:

me wrote:
Some people have noticed the alt text on your images, and how they relate to parts of the body, but I'm confused as to why the humerus is listed on the bottom left when it's the bone in your upper arm.

Edwin wrote:
Ah...you caught an error on my part. I had originally labeled the image Rumef but obviously mistakenly changed it. I will adjust it appropriately.

Thank you for bringing attention to my error.

me wrote:
I was simply wondering why the format would suddenly change. Smile

Patterns are everywhere, and I wondered why that wasn't matching it.

Edwin wrote:
And, to my mild embarrassment, this should have fit the pattern as well. I will see to it that it is repaired immediately. Do give my apologies to the group...if I can assume you're in contact with them.

I appreciate your gentle candor.

I've also written him an absolute novel tonight, comprised of large amounts of wikiwading. (THIS IS NOW A VERB. USE IT. Very Happy)
me wrote:
I've been doing a bit of research tonight, Edwin, as sleep eludes me tonight (as it does on so many nights). This is the first time in a very, very long time I've laid down to attempt to sleep and only been met with my brain absolutely racing with ideas and thoughts, and a burning desire to research.

Vitruvius was a Roman writer, architect, and army engineer. Not much is remarkable about him except for his ten books on architecture, which were long used. He also remarked upon the proportions of the human body, which was beautifully illustrated by Leonardo da Vinci in his drawing, 'Vitruvian Man.' Another interesting thing to note is that he suggested that lead pipes should not be used for drinking water, as he noted the illnesses of the men working in the lead foundries of his time.

da Vinci believed the human body to be an analogy for the workings of the universe. He was also not the first to attempt to illustrate Vitruvius' ideas of human proportion -- merely the most accurate. He correctly realized that when in a standing position, the body's center of mass is not at the navel, but rather farther below, near the tops of the hips. This is reflected in the fact that the center of the square and the center of the circle do not overlap - the center of the circle is over the navel, and the center of the square is down near the top of the pelvis.

It was realized in the Romantic period that not every body is exactly proportionate, and thus the field of anthropometry was created to attempt to describe these variations. It was used in India, France, and England for the purposes of criminal identification for years. However, the measurements were cumbersome and errors were hard to correct, so it was phased out and replaced with the simpler and easier fingerprinting method, which is still in use today.

Adolf Zeising found the Golden Section illustrated in the arrangements of branches on plants and veins in leaves. He extended this research to the skeletons of animals, and the arrangement of their veins and nerves, to the proportion of chemical compounds, geometry of crystals, and even application in artistic endeavors. In 1854, Zeising wrote: "[The Golden Ratio is a universal law] in which is contained the ground-principle of all formative striving for beauty and completeness in the realms of both nature and art, and which permeates, as a paramount spiritual ideal, all structures, forms and proportions, whether cosmic or individual, organic or inorganic, acoustic or optical; which finds its fullest realization, however, in the human form."

This is all amazing, Edwin. All of it. And I'd never have looked into it further if it weren't for you.

I'm not done yet, none of us are.

When/if I get a reply from him (he doesn't seem quite as eager to converse with me as he is with a few others, such as Lisa or Fusebox) I'll update this post to reflect that.

edit:I received a reply from Edwin.
Edwin wrote:
Thank you for this beautiful compilation of information. While I am familiar with most of it, it is very concisely put which appeals to me greatly. The connection with animals is something I had not yet explored. Maybe my research should resume that direction.

I see that sleep eluded you. I found a similar trouble myself. While I lay in bed, I found that I had too many thoughts to sleep. This, unfortunately, happens to me quite often.

Something else I found greatly insightful, is Vitruvian Man's disguised metaphor for soul and body. If we assume that the Square represents body, due to it's tangible solidity and grounded structure, surrounding the body in cross-position, then might we also assume that the circle represents the infinite in its endless arc? The position of the circle, in an elevated manor may represent the soul's dominance over the body, when taken into account the importance of visual hierarchy in Romantic works.

Thank you for sharing your research. I enjoyed it greatly.

me wrote:
The circle could represent the soul as well, and that's an avenue I hadn't pursued. The soul is a required element to any human being, and the interest in science never would have started if it weren't for the soul. For as long as can be, man has wondered what makes us 'tick,' so to speak, and I firmly believe that the soul is what truly makes us human.

My group and I have been talking about your ideas and your research... and a few of us think you're attempting to create a Vitruvian Man, perhaps using Morcar to mold and create. This would cause pain, but would result in perfection in his body.

The question is, why would you strive to create perfection in someone else, but not in yourself?

Edwin wrote:
I've read this theory from another as well. It is an amazing idea though my concerns focus on thought over the body. I will explore this as a possibility however. There are many possible gains from such a task. I fear for the subject however. The pain would be phenomenal.

I completely feel that the circle represents the soul. Unquestionably.

Thank you for your thoughts from before. They were most insightful.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:43 am
Last edited by analogwatch on Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:24 am; edited 5 times in total
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VooDooChild
Boot

Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 37
Location: Atlanta, GA
brainstorming
Throwing this out there...
I've been playing around with the code... procrastinating on a project for work. I noticed a pattern all-right. Someone already mentioned Fibonacci and there is definitely a sequence present when you count the number of special characters inserted in the "NEXT" text.

text>>>>>>>Special character count in "NEXT"

1039NEX&T>>>>>>>1
468251945)983541687@35374!54365165453537400406847984N@E&X*T>>>>>>>3
:05764104!5084615920475?974240193468NE%XT>>>>>>>1
31320595(310)51731[2674097464710694578801205{4663N[EX]T>>>>>>>2
26876213695>>>>>>>0

Stripping the special characters and reverse ordering the Fibonacci sequence yields:

4682519459835416873537454365165453537400406847984NEXT
313205953105173126740974647106945788012054663NEXT
057641045084615920475974240193468NEXT
1039NEXT
26876213695

perhaps 1039=LOVE

like a sign off


alright. back to my hidey-hole

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:00 pm
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Fusebox
Decorated


Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 155

 		EDWIN:
Quote:
I see. Well, many are close. In fact, closer than I think any realize.
Speak with those who mistrust me. One, while she questions my motives to
a degree, has come exceedingly close to the answer. She has only yet to
grasp it.


PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:10 pm
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WhyWouldIStop
Veteran


Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 148

 		In response to Fusebox's post, it sounds like he's talking about Clementine.

I also sent an e-mail or two but it also seems he's not very interested in speaking with me.

WWIS wrote:

Nice to meet you Mr. Edwin, my name is Kavé.
I am not exactly sure what calculations you have lost that you need returned and I'm quite lost.
Could you help a poor fellow in need and fill in a few blanks?
Thank you,
Kavé P.


Edwin wrote:

My apologies for the slow reply. I will only give you advice at this
stage. I've wasted no element in this. If there is a component you don't
understand, move to another element. Maybe your skills are better suited
for unraveling something else in the house.

Consider the quote on my wall in the gray room.


WWIS wrote:

Sorry to bother you Edwin but I just noticed:
In the Chemistry Lab you said you needed 12 Eat Me's and 4 Drink Me's.
Would it not be the same to just have 11 Eat Me's and still grow to be approximately the same height?
Thank you,
Kavé


If you're wondering how I figured that out I noticed that Alice grew approx. 8 feet after eating an entire Eat Me and shrank down to 10 inches after a Shrink Me. I believe she's 3 feet tall or so, or so I assumed.

Edwin wrote:

Those we for the Queen's use....I'm afraid I don't ask why. It is not my
position to question Her Majesty.

There is however, a small importance to the number involved.


I sent another e-mail to him and I'm thinking of sending another soon but no response so far.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:47 pm
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Guest
Guest


 		do you see how many of you are saying your emailing him and how many of you are saying he isnt interesting in talking to you. anyone find the irony there of how many emails this guys probably getting but people say he doesnt want to talk?

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:08 pm
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WhyWouldIStop
Veteran


Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 148

 		Not really. It just seems he favors speaking to a few of us over others. Sure I understand he probably has a heavy load of e-mails coming in but it does seem lisa has got a lot more replies than the rest of us.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:11 pm
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unVoice
Veteran


Joined: 30 Oct 2007
Posts: 121
Location: Frederick, MD

 		Seems he finds her the most interesting. Let her do her thing and relay whatever info she can back to us. ;D



Lisa should get the professor into this. ;o

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:22 pm
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teh_lisa
Entrenched


Joined: 27 Nov 2005
Posts: 950
Location: my chair

 		I do admit that I have received many emails from Edwin. I would have to say that what I do is get to know each card without questioning only the puzzle at hand. For instance, with Edwin I commented on the Aphex Twin track he had on his page. He told me why he liked Aphex Twin and I used that information to find a video and an article that showed some very interesting mathematical aspects to his music. At that point I think I had him hooked. I moved on from there to discuss philosophical aspects of his pages, because wile I tell the professor I hate it I truly do like debating things like the soul etc. Find something interesting to grab each card. Something that goes along with what they are presenting themselves to be about. I feel I have gotten many clues from Edwin about his puzzles in the round about way of getting to know him. I can't do codes, I *can* do conversation Very Happy

UV: I tried to get the professor into this but he thinks it is all silly. I keep trying though. Who knows, there is a whole year Very Happy
_________________
drop it like it's hot

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:23 pm
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WhyWouldIStop
Veteran


Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 148

 		I found something interesting in Amanda. ;D

=\ I miss Amanda...

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:40 pm
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Timestalker
Boot


Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 18

 		Has anyone asked about the cage in the main room? Psyche's been having a wonderful conversation with him about the music, and whe she asked him about the cage, he replied:

Quote:
Most perceptive. You are quite observant. It's owner is no longer
present. I keep the cage as a keepsake...a memory...


She's still waiting on a response from him about who the previous owner was. ^_^

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:47 am
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Clementine
Decorated


Joined: 26 Dec 2007
Posts: 208
Timestalker wrote:
Has anyone asked about the cage in the main room? Psyche's been having a wonderful conversation with him about the music, and whe she asked him about the cage, he replied:

Quote:
Most perceptive. You are quite observant. It's owner is no longer
present. I keep the cage as a keepsake...a memory...


She's still waiting on a response from him about who the previous owner was. ^_^


Ah! And there I was thinking it was representative of the ribcage in the Vitruvian Man. (Hadn't a lot of us agreed upon that?)

If we go along with the 'Mad Hatter' analogy (I forget who put that specific two-and-two together) then mayhaps he's lost the Dorm Mouse? It would possibly go along with his 'lab mice' reference in the opening journal entry.

Buuuut, it's all speculation. Can't wait for the reponse from him!
_________________
A thinking woman sleeps with monsters.
twitter epigraph
gmail clementized



PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:50 am
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Clementine
Decorated


Joined: 26 Dec 2007
Posts: 208

 		This is for Psyche!

Quote:
Dearest Edwin,

I've heard Psyche is on to something with the empty cage (she continues to amaze me -- I love her insight). I'm curious too now, since most of us were under the impression that it represented the ribcage of the Vitruvian Man. I find it interesting that you actually had an animal (?) at one point in time. I don't mean to sound rude, but you don't seem the most likely of canditates to own a pet. What with the whole lab-mice and whatnot.

A bird, perhaps?



-- Clementine


His reply:

Quote:
And you would both be correct. I chose a place near my heart for the cage very purposefully; but what is a cage if there is nothing in it to be
kept?

Alas, the occupant has left the perch. This may be too painful to speak
of but know that this was a choice that needed to be made for future
considerations.


My final response to that:

Quote:
I suppose I could go into the symbolism of an empty cage, but that'd just be the zealant English Major in me.

I won't press you any further about the occupant (I don't want to upset you) but I must confess I'm now fully intrigued and theories are already beginning to form. I hope you don't mind.

I ask you to forgive my relentless spirit for now. A fault and a virtue.



-- Clementine


Oh the fun of cages (empty or filled) and their symbolism -- a much fought-over topic in many an English classroom.

I hope he's not getting annoyed with me. Haha.
_________________
A thinking woman sleeps with monsters.
twitter epigraph
gmail clementized



PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:38 pm
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Ptolemy
Greenhorn


Joined: 15 Jan 2008
Posts: 8

 		My recent peices to the puzzle...
Unfortunately, as far as the recent cage ideas involving the mad hatter and the mouse and whatnot, I have to say that my (I don't know if anyone else came up with it before me, but I know I came up with one.) theory is wrong. I have written the following to Edwin:
Quote:
Hello Edwin, my name is Ptolemy, and I realize you are probably very very busy and all with your life and your brother going missing and the possibility of the wrath of the queen, but a moment for a few answers would be great. The password has been found, but I am not yet satisfied. So here goes:
Why do you say the queen's order is apropos? You said in response to another travellor that you don't question the queen's motives for the order but yet you say it is apropos, that is very intriguing.

Are there truly numbers hidden in the backgrounds of the chemistry lab and the generator room or have I been looking at this for too long?

Is there any truth to the idea that you are truly the mad hatter--your several allusions to serving tea and mentioning that you talk to mice and have someone who is close to you (your brother and possibly the march hare) seem to lead to that end.

Finally, the queen for whom you work, do you refer to the queen of hearts, for the queen of hearts' temperament towards us seems very unlike the temperament of the queen you serve.

Any information you can provide in response would be amazing. Thank you for your brilliant intrigue. I look forward to hearing from you soon and perhaps we can share a spot of tea together soon.

I do hope that Morcar returns to you soon and that all is well with him. Best regards.


To Which he responded:
Quote:
You ask excellent questions. At this time, I will only answer a few
though I will assure you that the others will be resolved when appropriate
to the journey.

The Chemistry Lab & Generator are among my simplest rooms. The secrets
they hold have been discovered. You'll find no more information except
that which is readily apparent.

To my understanding, there is but one room that has held its mystery.

As for the Mad Hatter, I feel you'll find him most intriguing. I find
great insights by studying him but I am not he. I do however see the
parellels you've noticed.

As for the Queen, consider my comments in her regard in my home, stated in
a place I feel secure to voice myself more readily. In correspondence, I
have been more hesitant to espouse more than my completely loyalty.

I realize that several of your queries have been left unanswered at this
time. I can only suggest that more will reveal itself.


I am assuming that the room with the secret is the office, but I could be wrong. Also, could it be possible that the cage was for Morcar? I feel that he loves his brother but must use him in order to please the queen. So who is this mysterious queen? What does she want the potions for? Why that number? Is the story of Edwin and Morcar going to parallel their lives (Morcar imprisoned by the crown and Edwin betrayed and killed)?

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:26 pm
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Clementine
Decorated


Joined: 26 Dec 2007
Posts: 208

 		Re: My recent peices to the puzzle...
Ptolemy wrote:
I am assuming that the room with the secret is the office, but I could be wrong. Also, could it be possible that the cage was for Morcar? I feel that he loves his brother but must use him in order to please the queen. So who is this mysterious queen? What does she want the potions for? Why that number? Is the story of Edwin and Morcar going to parallel their lives (Morcar imprisoned by the crown and Edwin betrayed and killed)?


I think you're right about the Office -- it's the only place that still holds a mystery (the system error code and such).

I've thought the same about the cage and Morcar in it, but I didn't press him further about that. At this point, it could've been for anything/anyone. I think he wants to save that secret for later though.

As for the queen, I think most of us are pretty uncertain (except for the 'off with their heads' part which is clearly a reference to the Qeen of Hearts) but the numbers are part of a book code which has already been solved. Don't let that bother you too much for now unless Edwin deliberately puts them back into play later on.

As for the story and any parallels .. that's a very good question. I hope it doesn't end up that way. I'd be a little sad.
_________________
A thinking woman sleeps with monsters.
twitter epigraph
gmail clementized



PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:45 pm
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BlueMouse222
Boot

Joined: 13 Nov 2007
Posts: 39
doublecross wrote:
No problem, bluemouse, thanks. I was a bit late this week.

To recap: bluemouse and STP found that Morcar is the brother of Edwin (4C in SL, and the Earl of Mercia in RL) and is referred to by the mouse in AIL.

Mirror text concerns truth etc., and does not appear to be a quotation.

Image alternate text appears to be backwards body parts (bones, in fact) - numretS, muinarC etc.

And to add: the 3 after 1 bit made me think of pi - 3.1415926...


Really late, but I have a couple bones to pick.
Bone 1 (Anlu) AIL is DEAD! I thinmk you mean AIW.
BOne 2: (Remuf) It would likely be the "14 after 3" quote that might concern pi. 3 after 1 = 1.3... not pi.

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:14 pm
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