Ask HN: What is the highest number you count to?

4 points

5 years ago

When counting in my head I normally jump back to zero after hitting twenty and continue from there. In this way I keep track of the number of twenties I have reached as well as the current number of ones. I guess it could be more accurately said that I use base twenty when counting, although I have never gone past 400 so I'm not sure if I would start a third counter or say twenty-one twenties. What system do you use? (I sometimes count past 400 but that is due to starting at a number other than zero and I generally just apply the starting number as an offset afterwards.)

While you're here, I'd also be interested in hearing the method of visualizing counting you use. So far the people I've asked have all been auditory like me. Imagine having an olfactory basis for counting, what would that be like? Could it be prevalent in animals like dogs and cats whose primary sense is smell?

Similar to https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4802725

Also, if when programming you embody (¿roleplay as?) the structure or process you are creating. E.g. Do you think in terms of "These are MY inputs, these are MY outputs" and "All I have access to is X and Y, how can I use these to map to Z" or do you have a clear distinction between the thing and yourself?

That last one I've realized messes with the way I talk to people as I often speak as if I was the object of the discussion rather than a person in the room joining in a discussion about said object.

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