Was Douglas Adams referring to anything in the real world when he said the meaning of life was 42?
I realize it could just be arbitrary but since he is a philosopher as well as an author, I thought he might be referring to something – maybe scientific data?
Seeing as the rest of the books have a absurdistic sense of humor I think he just meant it as another wierd joke.
There has also been a puzzle by douglas that looked like this:
http://www.redoaksag.org/Blog/content/binary/WindowsLiveWriter/Answerintheformofaquestion_81CC/42%20Puzzle_3.gif
The objective of the puzzle was to think of a question about the puzzle to which the answer is 42.
My thoughts are that – as a philosopher – he wanted to make people think about the meaning of life. And an inspiring way to make people do it was to already provide the answer and let people make up the question.
He certainly reached you!
You, in turn, made me think about this, thanks 
|
|
Adam at 6 A.M. Poster 27×40 Michael Douglas Lee Purcell Joe Don Baker Adam at 6 A.M. reproduction poster print Pop Culture Graphics, Inc is Amazon’s largest source for movie and TV show memorabilia, poster and more: Offering tens of thousands of items to choose from. We also offer a full selection of framed posters.. Customer satisfaction is always guaranteed when you buy from Pop Culture Graphics,Inc… |
|
|
Adam at 6 A.M. Poster Movie 11×14 Michael Douglas Lee Purcell Joe Don Baker Charles Aidman $19.99 Adam at 6 A.M. Reproduction Poster Print Style A 11 x 14 Inches – 28cm x 36cmPop Culture Graphics, Inc is Amazon’s largest source for movie and TV show memorabilia, posters and more: Offering tens of thousands of items to choose from. Customer satisfaction is always guaranteed when you buy from Pop Culture Graphics,Inc… |
|
|
The Hitchhiker`s Guide to the Galaxy $31.18 Description not available. |
|
|
And Another Thing…by Eoin Colfer (Hardcover) $16.98 Eoin Colfer’s, And Another Thing…continues Douglas Adam’s sci fi series about the looming destruction of Earth at the hands of the deadly Grebulons. Can our planet be saved in time? |
