Comic #2539: 2012-04-29

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Description

Here's the transcription of the comic:

Panel 1:
One day, mathematicians will discover that mathematics is not made of rules. It is made of machines.
Speaker: "Hey, check my calculations. I could be wrong, but is this approximation method 0.0000001% less effective than it was 150 years ago?"

Panel 2:
They are robust machines, but like all machines, the more they're used, the more likely they are to break.
Speaker: "Hey, stop using the axiom of choice! You'll wear it out!"

Panel 3:
We decided to calculate the probability that logic would be repaired before it collapsed, taking the universe with it.
Speaker: "Is it possible to do a Monte Carlo simulation to decide if Monte Carlo simulations work?"

Panel 4:
This broke probability.
Speaker: "I flipped a coin…"
Another speaker: "What was the result?"
Speaker: "Portugal."
Another speaker: "We may have to cancel D&D night."

Panel 5:
Without predictable odds, the pattern of the universe unwove itself.
Description: An unpredictable amount of time later, the familiar randomness returned to its earlier state.
Speaker: "Whoa. Okay, never again."
Speaker: "New rule - all logic will simply be done with common sense."

Panel 6:
Sadly, common sense was a machine too. And now you understand why other people work the way they do.
Speaker: "And this car has front and rear spoilers."
Another speaker: "I'd be a fool not to pay double."

This transcription captures the text and dialogue from the comic accurately.