Circle Digits: A Self-Referential Story
by Michael Keith
In questa ingegnosissima storiella mnemonica, i segni
di punteggiatura rappresentano degli zeri, mentre le parole di oltre 9
lettere rappresentano due cifre: per esempio, una parola di 12 cifre sta
per le due cifre successive 1 e 2. Tanto di cappello al suo inventore, ma
anche a chi riesce a ricordare a memoria tutta la tirata!!!
For a time I stood pondering on circle sizes. The
large computer mainframe quietly processed all of its assembly
code. Inside my entire hope lay for figuring out an elusive expansion.
Value: pi. Decimals expected soon. I nervously entered a format
procedure. The mainframe processed the request. Error. I, again
entering it, carefully retyped. This iteration gave zero error
printouts in all-success. Intently I waited. Soon, roused by thoughts
within me, appeared narrative mnemonics relating digits to verbiage!
The idea appeared to exist but only in abbreviated fashion-little
phrases typically. Pressing on I then resolved, deciding firmly about
a sum of decimals to use-likely around four hundred, presuming the
computer code soon halted! Pondering these ideas, words appealed to me.
But a problem of zeros did exist. Pondering more, solution subsequently
appeared. Zero suggests a punctuation element. Very novel! My thoughts
were culminated. No periods, I concluded. All residual marks of
punctuation = zeros. First digit expansion answer then came before me.
On examining some problems unhappily arose. That imbecilic bug! The
printout I possessed showed four nine as foremost decimals. Manifestly
troubling. Totally every number looked wrong. Repairing the bug took
much effort. A pi mnemonic with letters truly seemed good. Counting of all
the letters probably should suffice. Reaching for a record would be
helpful. Consequently, I continued, expecting a good final answer from
computer. First number slowly displayed on the flat screen-3. Good.
Trailing digits appar- ently were right also. Now my memory scheme must
probably be implementable. The technique was chosen, elegant in scheme:
by self reference a tale mnemonically helpful was ensured. An able
title suddenly existed-"Circle Digits." Taking pen I began. Words
emanated uneasily. I desired more synonyms. Speedily I found my
(alongside me) Thesaurus. Rogets is probably an essential in doing
this, instantly I decided. I wrote and erased more. The Rogets clearly
assisted immensely. My story proceeded (how lovely!) faultlessly. The
end, above all, would soon joyfully overtake. So, this memory helper
story is incon- testably complete. soon I will locate publisher. There
a narrative will I trust immediately appear, producing fame. The
end.
Near a Raven
di E. Poe Comincia
da Poe, e tieni conto che anche qui una parola di 14 lettere sta per le
cifre successive 1 e 4. Ingegnoso, eh?
Poe, E.
Near a Raven
Midnights so dreary, tired and weary.
Silently pondering volumes extolling all by-now obsolete lore.
During my rather long nap - the weirdest tap! An
ominous vibrating sound disturbing my chamber's antedoor.
"This", I whispered quietly, "I ignore".
Perfectly, the intellect remembers: the ghostly fires, a glittering
ember. Inflamed by lightning's outbursts, windows cast
penumbras upon this floor. Sorrowful, as one mistreated, unhappy
thoughts I heeded: That inimitable lesson in elegance -
Lenore - Is delighting,
exciting...nevermore.
Ominously, curtains parted (my serenity outsmarted),
And fear overcame my being - the fear of "forevermore". Fearful
foreboding abided, selfish sentiment confided, As I
said, "Methinks mysterious traveler knocks afore.
A man is visiting, of age threescore."
Taking little time, briskly addressing something: "Sir," (robustly)
"Tell what source originates clamorous noise afore?
Disturbing sleep unkindly, is it you a-tapping, so slyly?
Why, devil incarnate!--" Here completely unveiled I my antedoor--
Just darkness, I ascertained - nothing
more.
While surrounded by darkness then, I persevered to clearly
comprehend. I perceived the weirdest dream...of
everlasting "nevermores". Quite, quite, quick nocturnal doubts fled -
such relief! - as my intellect said, (Desiring,
imagining still) that perchance the apparition was uttering a whispered
"Lenore". This only, as evermore.
Silently, I reinforced, remaining anxious, quite scared, afraid,
While intrusive tap did then come thrice - O, so
stronger than sounded afore. "Surely" (said silently) "it was the
banging, clanging window lattice." Glancing out, I
quaked, upset by horrors hereinbefore,
Perceiving: a "nevermore".
Completely disturbed, I said, "Utter, please, what prevails ahead.
Repose, relief, cessation, or but more dreary
'nevermores'?" The bird intruded thence - O, irritation ever since! -
Then sat on Pallas' pallid bust, watching me (I sat not,
therefore), And stated "nevermores".
Bemused by raven's dissonance, my soul exclaimed, "I seek
intelligence; Explain thy purpose, or soon cease
intoning forlorn 'nevermores'!" "Nevermores", winged corvus proclaimed
- thusly was a raven named? Actually maintain a surname,
upon Pluvious seashore? I heard an
oppressive "nevermore".
My sentiments extremely pained, to perceive an utterance so plain,
Most interested, mystified, a meaning I hoped for.
"Surely," said the raven's watcher, "separate discourse is wiser.
Therefore, liberation I'll obtain, retreating heretofore
- Eliminating all the 'nevermores' ".
Still, the detestable raven just remained, unmoving, on sculptured
bust. Always saying "never" (by a red chamber's door).
A poor, tender heartache maven - a sorrowful bird - a raven!
O, I wished thoroughly, forthwith, that he'd fly
heretofore. Still sitting, he recited
"nevermores".
The raven's dirge induced alarm - "nevermore" quite wearisome.
I meditated: "Might its utterances summarize of a
calamity before?" O, a sadness was manifest - a sorrowful cry of
unrest; "O," I thought sincerely, "it's a melancholy
great - furthermore, Removing doubt, this
explains 'nevermores' ".
Seizing just that moment to sit - closely, carefully, advancing
beside it, Sinking down, intrigued, where velvet cushion
lay afore. A creature, midnight-black, watched there - it studied my
soul, unawares. Wherefore, explanations my insight
entreated for. Silently, I pondered the
"nevermores".
"Disentangle, nefarious bird! Disengage - I am disturbed!"
Intently its eye burned, raising the cry within my core.
"That delectable Lenore - whose velvet pillow this was, heretofore,
Departed thence, unsettling my consciousness therefore.
She's returning - that maiden - aye,
nevermore."
Since, to me, that thought was madness, I renounced continuing
sadness. Continuing on, I soundly, adamantly forswore:
"Wretch," (addressing blackbird only) "fly swiftly - emancipate me!"
"Respite, respite, detestable raven - and discharge me,
I implore!" A ghostly answer of:
"nevermore".
" 'Tis a prophet? Wraith? Strange devil? Or the ultimate evil?"
"Answer, tempter-sent creature!", I inquired, like
before. "Forlorn, though firmly undaunted, with 'nevermores' quite
indoctrinated, Is everything depressing, generating
great sorrow evermore? I am subdued!", I
then swore.
In answer, the raven turned - relentless distress it spurned.
"Comfort, surcease, quiet, silence!" - pleaded I for.
"Will my (abusive raven!) sorrows persist unabated?
Nevermore Lenore respondeth?", adamantly I encored.
The appeal was ignored.
"O, satanic inferno's denizen -- go!", I said boldly, standing
then. "Take henceforth loathsome "nevermores" - O, to an
ugly Plutonian shore! Let nary one expression, O bird, remain still
here, replacing mirth. Promptly leave and retreat!", I
resolutely swore. Blackbird's riposte:
"nevermore".
So he sitteth, observing always, perching ominously on these
doorways. Squatting on the stony bust so untroubled, O
therefore. Suffering stark raven's conversings, so I am condemned,
subserving, To a nightmare cursed, containing miseries
galore. Thus henceforth, I'll rise (from a
darkness, a grave) -- nevermore!

Vediamo
ora un esempio in francese, fornitomi gentilmente dalla dottoressa Elena
Cristina Bolla: «
Que j'aime à faire apprendre un nombre utile aux sages! Immortel
Archimède sublime ingénieur... » (fornisce
facilmente 3,14159265358979) |