Comments on: The mysterious protractors of Pittsburgh http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 11:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158148 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158148 @Crashproof. I agree. The authorities calling it vandalism are a bunch of squares. They should try looking at things from a different angle. Guerilla art complements the city environment for a right-eous experience. See, Pittsburgh used to be dumpy, but it has been improving by degrees and IMHO now glows with charming radians. @Crashproof. I agree. The authorities calling it vandalism are a bunch of squares. They should try looking at things from a different angle. Guerilla art complements the city environment for a right-eous experience. See, Pittsburgh used to be dumpy, but it has been improving by degrees and IMHO now glows with charming radians.

]]> By: narrowstreetsLA http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158153 narrowstreetsLA Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158153 I SAW SLEAZE like this on the news, too. They look great from the RIGHT ANGLE. I watch the news while soaking my feet. I SOAK A TOE A day, every day. (sorry, sorry) I SAW SLEAZE like this on the news, too. They look great from the RIGHT ANGLE. I watch the news while soaking my feet. I SOAK A TOE A day, every day.
(sorry, sorry)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158409 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158409 Anon- are you the culprit? Anon- are you the culprit?

]]> By: AncientScot http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158667 AncientScot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158667 It's the Al-Gebra organization! They have loci all over the globe! Weapons of math instruction! Aieeee. It’s the Al-Gebra organization! They have loci all over the globe! Weapons of math instruction! Aieeee.

]]> By: emmdeeaych http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158159 emmdeeaych Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158159 I see what You Clid there. I see what You Clid there.

]]> By: Karnuvap http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158415 Karnuvap Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158415 I thought it'd be obvious. Looks like this is going to be a long and drawn out campaign. In fact, I may go so far as to say it is going to be protracted. I thought it’d be obvious.

Looks like this is going to be a long and drawn out campaign. In fact, I may go so far as to say it is going to be protracted.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158165 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158165 Sorry, that cliffhanger was a bit too obtuse for me. Sorry, that cliffhanger was a bit too obtuse for me.

]]> By: CountZero http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158951 CountZero Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158951 “It's the Al-Gebra organization! They have loci all over the globe! Weapons of math instruction! Aieeee.” Boom, tish! “It’s the Al-Gebra organization! They have loci all over the globe! Weapons of math instruction! Aieeee.”
Boom, tish!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1159474 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1159474 Not to be oblique about it, but this sounds like an acute problem. Not to be oblique about it, but this sounds like an acute problem.

]]> By: JoshP http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158454 JoshP Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158454 don't care, brilliant... don’t care, brilliant…

]]> By: pepsibookcat http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158202 pepsibookcat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158202 Obviously, it's Oscar placing the protractors. And, I bet when the police catch him, he'll be wearing a hat. Obviously, it’s Oscar placing the protractors. And, I bet when the police catch him, he’ll be wearing a hat.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158720 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158720 Funny, but of course the word <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/algebra">algebra</a> does come from Arabic: al-jabr. Funny, but of course the word algebra does come from Arabic: al-jabr.

]]> By: hassenpfeffer http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157955 hassenpfeffer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157955 That's one of the nice things about Pittsburgh; you can always view it from a different angle. That’s one of the nice things about Pittsburgh; you can always view it from a different angle.

]]> By: t3knomanser http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157962 t3knomanser Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157962 I've only noticed one of them on the already highly "decorated" Highland Ave. bridge. I'll have to keep my eyes open more. I’ve only noticed one of them on the already highly “decorated” Highland Ave. bridge. I’ll have to keep my eyes open more.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157964 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157964 This degree of vandalism will not be tolerated. We must have a protracted law enforcement operation to stamp it out. This degree of vandalism will not be tolerated. We must have a protracted law enforcement operation to stamp it out.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158997 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158997 A felony? A FELONY!? A felony?

A FELONY!?

]]> By: Karnuvap http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157974 Karnuvap Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157974 Looks like this is going to be a long and drawn out campaign. In fact, you may go so far as to say ... Looks like this is going to be a long and drawn out campaign. In fact, you may go so far as to say …

]]> By: capl http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157979 capl Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157979 Reminds me of the bridges. Reminds me of the bridges.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158748 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158748 Ha ha. I now have one on my power meter too Ha ha. I now have one on my power meter too

]]> By: creesto http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157981 creesto Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157981 Actually, I think the stubby "legs" make it look more like a stylized bridge icon than a protractor, and Pgh is ALL about the bridges Actually, I think the stubby “legs” make it look more like a stylized bridge icon than a protractor, and Pgh is ALL about the bridges

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158237 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158237 drop the address of the map post... http://ericlidji.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/the-protractor-map-digitized/ into la google, then click on the cached version from which you can continue to the google map that was made. voila. drop the address of the map post… http://ericlidji.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/the-protractor-map-digitized/ into la google, then click on the cached version from which you can continue to the google map that was made. voila.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157982 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157982 Not Protractors... Bridges... All the major bridges in Pittsburgh downtown are painted yellow... welcome to da Burgh Not Protractors… Bridges… All the major bridges in Pittsburgh downtown are painted yellow… welcome to da Burgh

]]> By: capl http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157985 capl Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157985 I will guess that we will find 446 protractors when all is said and done. I will guess that we will find 446 protractors when all is said and done.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1157992 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1157992 Has anyone (or perhaps everyone) mapped the location of these protractors and drawn lines from those points, angled as the numbers on the protractors indicate, let's say from North, to see if they intersect in some fashion? (or outline a large middle finger or somesuch?) Has anyone (or perhaps everyone) mapped the location of these protractors and drawn lines from those points, angled as the numbers on the protractors indicate, let’s say from North, to see if they intersect in some fashion? (or outline a large middle finger or somesuch?)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1159272 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1159272 because google caches tend to disappear with time (and because the google map has already disappeared), here is a pastebin with the "master list" compiled on eric lidji's blog. http://pastebin.com/qWntZZH8 because google caches tend to disappear with time (and because the google map has already disappeared), here is a pastebin with the “master list” compiled on eric lidji’s blog.

http://pastebin.com/qWntZZH8

]]> By: codesuidae http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158000 codesuidae Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158000 Perhaps the number on each protractor indicates a heading from that location? Perhaps the number on each protractor indicates a heading from that location?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1159024 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1159024 Credit where credit is due: "'Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs,' I said. 'We have a protractor.'" From Anathem, by Neal Stephenson. p. 320 in the first edition, hard back. Credit where credit is due:

“‘Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs,’ I said. ‘We have a protractor.’”

From Anathem, by Neal Stephenson. p. 320 in the first edition, hard back.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158005 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158005 It's Frank Stella, gone rogue. It’s Frank Stella, gone rogue.

]]> By: Chloramphenicol http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158011 Chloramphenicol Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158011 Hmmm... Interesting hypothesis. The question then becomes, is that a heading off of north or relative to something else? If it's a relative heading, then finding the direction you're supposed to face as the reference could be quite challenging. I can think of quite a few notable buildings and other landmarks that are visible from many parts of the city and that could be used as an artificial 'zero'. Honestly, this sounds like a pretty fun thing to try and prove/disprove and track down. Who knows what sorts of wonderments and atrocities you could discover simply by trying to walk a straight path 196 degrees off of north from the one in the picture? I suppose a map would be quite handy as well, as it's very unlikely that the protractors are showing up inside buildings but rather more likely on mostly hidden or hard to get to locations (I would think alleys, preferably right around the corner from a main street). I haven't been back to da 'Burgh in a while, but I have friends who still live there. I'll have to ask them about it. Also, this gives me an idea for something to put my pen and paper gaming group through. :) Hmmm… Interesting hypothesis. The question then becomes, is that a heading off of north or relative to something else? If it’s a relative heading, then finding the direction you’re supposed to face as the reference could be quite challenging. I can think of quite a few notable buildings and other landmarks that are visible from many parts of the city and that could be used as an artificial ‘zero’.

Honestly, this sounds like a pretty fun thing to try and prove/disprove and track down. Who knows what sorts of wonderments and atrocities you could discover simply by trying to walk a straight path 196 degrees off of north from the one in the picture? I suppose a map would be quite handy as well, as it’s very unlikely that the protractors are showing up inside buildings but rather more likely on mostly hidden or hard to get to locations (I would think alleys, preferably right around the corner from a main street).

I haven’t been back to da ‘Burgh in a while, but I have friends who still live there. I’ll have to ask them about it.

Also, this gives me an idea for something to put my pen and paper gaming group through. :)

]]> By: Micah http://boingboing.net/2011/07/08/mysterious-protracto.html#comment-1158281 Micah Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1158281 As someone who lives in New York but took a road trip to visit Pittsburgh for our family vacation a couple summers ago (and had a great time), I say you should do both! As someone who lives in New York but took a road trip to visit Pittsburgh for our family vacation a couple summers ago (and had a great time), I say you should do both!

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