The genius of Douglas Adams…

Harry_the_Spider · 2025-12-18T09:18:07Z

Not only did he predict the smart phone and Wikipedia almost 50 years ago, but he has got this nearly right too. Douglas Adams describes the Heart of Gold's radio as frustratingly advanced, evolving from buttons and dials to touch-sensitive panels, and finally to waving hands in the general direction of components, saving muscle but requiring infuriating stillness to stay on a single program, all while playing loud "gunk music" as Zaphod searched for news. Apart form it applies to the new brew machine in our office. One false move and you get a random element added to your drink. In my case “sugar” and “strength” which occupy adjacent air space resulting in at least one brew a day getting an “ewww, it’s got sugar in it”. The little kitchen next to it has a steady stream of people tipping their drinks and muttering. Progress eh?

garage-dweller

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I don't think it's been mentioned but alongside the novels is Last Chance To See by DA and Mark Carwardine. Stephen Fry I think may have done a follow up TV series.

What do you get if multiply six by nine?

Posted : 19/12/2025 9:08 am

b33k34 reacted

Greybeard

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Posted by: gofasterstripes

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Rumor has it that cheap free members can only use a few dms a day !

This appears to be true, two messages, and it's per 24hr period not per calendar day.

Posted : 19/12/2025 9:15 am

joshvegas

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Its easily the best trilogy in five parts.

Posted : 19/12/2025 9:50 am

Cougar

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Posted by: Alex

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“Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

The server room at my old work place had "beware of the cougar" on the door.

Posted by: onewheelgood

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Posted : 19/12/2025 10:14 am

Speeder

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Posted by: thepurist

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Posted by: racefaceec90

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i have to admit that i haven't read any of douglas adams books

I'd suggest listening to the radio series first, then read the books because they were written after the radio shows. Start with Fit the First here

Listening to it at work - I've read the books but never heard the show. Really enjoying it. Thanks for the link.

[Mod] link removed due to formatting issue.

Posted : 19/12/2025 12:01 pm

Speeder

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Tricia McMillan = Trillion - I didn't even get that from the books - love this.

Posted : 19/12/2025 12:45 pm

Speeder

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The weirdest thing is he seems to have predicted the 6 7 thing . . . .

Posted : 19/12/2025 1:33 pm

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