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Carbon-based life, the universe and everything

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Published Date: 06 July 2009
By Lesley Riddoch
THE Ultimate Answer in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has been given a new lease of life, thanks to the Scottish Parliament. In the Douglas Adams novel, a supercomputer takes 7½ million years to decide the number 42 answers the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything.
Holyrood took only 7½ hours to arrive at the same conclusion – 42 is the percentage by which Scotland must reduce its carbon emissions by 2020. Green campaigners are delighted.

But if 42 is Scotland's Ultimate Answer, what is the Question?
...



The full article contains 947 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 05 July 2009 11:18 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Neal! Whit? Haud yer Whisht!!,

06/07/2009 05:00:32
Why is this a 'Premium' article?

Why is there even a 'Premium' content?

You Suck!
2

Finnzz,

06/07/2009 06:42:27
I see the standard of Scotsman journalism hasn't improved much. This story's connection with THHGTTG is tenuous at the least
3

donald,

glasgow 06/07/2009 07:25:35
Team GB's Guide to owning the Galaxy?
4

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 06/07/2009 09:26:13
This proves beyond all doubt that these idiots are living in fantasy land. Please, please please, lets stop listening to them before they do any more damage.
5

Unimpressed one,

06/07/2009 09:48:09
Zzzzzzzz.
6

El Franko,

06/07/2009 12:11:49
I commend this neat summary for those who wish a pithy introduction to the feeble underpinnings of the current climate hysteria which has infected our parliament as well as some others:

http://sciencespeak.com/NoEvidence.pdf

7

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 06/07/2009 12:51:04
Yes, why not, let' say, make it 42.75%? I demand that it be so! I may be crazy but what does that make our elected morons in the Scottish upturned boats thing? What is the Question indeed.

"Why do we continue to be governed by muppets who probably never got a science Standard Grade/O-level?"

This premium answer contains an unidentified number of further words.
8

Geomac 1,

Scotland 06/07/2009 17:59:11
For once Lesley Riddoch poses a very important question "Why did the parliament reach the decision to target a 42% reduction in carbon emissions after only 7 hours of debate - and not a vey balanced debate at that since all the numpties at Holyrood seemed to be more interested in setting a target higher than their opponent parties rather than asking the question of WHY 42% or any other % age!!
Her concluding sentence says it all - or rather highlights the issue "MSPs have to engage with voters like never before to make sure the world isn't laughing at us in 2020. What she fails to note is that the world is already laughing at us for our stupidity in setting a futile and impossible target.

 

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