World's Most Mysterious Book May Be A Hoax (Voynich)

Nature ^ | 12-17-2003 | John Whitfield

[white rose]

I may be wrong, but this "hoax" theory strikes me as classic CYA. It must be highly embarrassing to all these "experts" that the world contains mysteries they can't glibly explain away.

[bert]

"and thusly, Gargantua was born out of his mother's left ear"

[dangus]

Looks vaguely elvish, don't it?

[happydogdesign]

Amazing! My PC screen displays that exact code when I type in "regedit"! That's how that damn Bill Gates got Windows!

[billbears]

bump

[billbears]

bump

[boris]

"Which means: Map To Atlantis."

No, it means "Klaatu says 'Cool It'."

[pabianice]

REVEALED! The DNC plan to beat President Bush in 2004...

[Sacajaweau]

What is this?? I see what looks like a washboard on page 2 and a bucket??

[yankeedame]

LOL!!

[Agnes Heep]

Looks like a production of the juvenile Hieronymus Bosch.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

[KarlInOhio]

The Voynich manuscript may be elegant gibberish.

Oops. Misread that as "The Voinovich manuscript may be elegant gibberish." If it was, the only difference between it and the usual Voinovich statement is the "elegant" part.

[Charlotte Corday]

the formula for a universal solvent

In what sort of container does one store a universal solvent? :-)

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this ping list.

[woody9]

great post! I couldn't stop laughing.

(there will be many who don't get it)

[Hegemony Cricket]

"In what sort of container does one store a universal solvent?"

And a couple of seasonal imponderables:

If you were to give the gift of wrapping paper, would you need to wrap it?

If you did wrap it, how would the recipient know when to stop unwrapping?

[zeugma]

Tolkien was a quite the linguist. He invented the elvish tongue and others used in the book. The forward on my copy of The Simarilion details some of his reasons for inventing a language completely separate from any known one. What it mostly boils down to is "because I can".

[Rutabega]

(Like me!)

Rats! I hate not belonging to the smarty-pants club! (tell me tell me tell me!!!) (please?)

[Consort]

..."To Serve Man" (Alien recipes).