base-systems
Original: base-systems on Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
Transcript
Panel 1:
Man (with a wide grin, addressing children): "Computers are binary, meaning they use two symbols: 0 and 1. DNA is quaternary, meaning it uses four symbols: A, C, G, T. Now, how many symbols can you make using your fingers?"
Caption (below panel):
Funtime Activity:
Convincing children that the most natural system is base-11.
Votey:
A wide-eyed, slightly unsettled-looking person says: "Unless you're polydactyl. Then, base-13."
Man (with a wide grin, addressing children): "Computers are binary, meaning they use two symbols: 0 and 1. DNA is quaternary, meaning it uses four symbols: A, C, G, T. Now, how many symbols can you make using your fingers?"
Caption (below panel):
Funtime Activity:
Convincing children that the most natural system is base-11.
Votey:
A wide-eyed, slightly unsettled-looking person says: "Unless you're polydactyl. Then, base-13."
Alt text
A smiling man enthusiastically lectures some children (an arm and shoulders visible at the edges of the panel). He says: "Computers are binary, meaning they use two symbols: 0 and 1. DNA is quaternary, meaning it uses four symbols: A, C, G, T. Now, how many symbols can you make using your fingers?" A caption beneath reads: "Funtime Activity: Convincing children that the most natural system is base-11" (the joke being ten fingers plus zero gives eleven symbols). Votey: A nervous, wide-eyed cartoon face adds, "Unless you're polydactyl. Then, base-13," referencing having extra fingers.
Transcribed by Claude Opus 4.8.