re: #172 RealityBasedSteve

Yep, doesn’t matter if you’re going around a water tank or the earth, adding 36 inches to the circumfrance adds <12 inches to the diameter. The cord would have a 6 inch space between the surface and cord, regardless of the actual diameter you start with.

I understand that math behind it, but it is counter-intuitive to me. My guts tell me that 3 feet wouldn’t make a difference when dealing with something the size of the earth.

I wrestled with that one a lot, and I’ve added it to my list of things-to-keep-my-mind open. It’s also why “trust your instinct” or “common sense” has limited usefulness.