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TIL the Hairy Ball theorem (wikipedia.org)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The theorem has been expressed colloquially as "you can't comb a hairy ball flat without creating a cowlick" or "you can't comb the hair on a coconut".

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[-] [email protected] 47 points 1 month ago

A hairy doughnut … on the other hand, is quite easily combable.

What gives someone the right to speak like this. You think this is the kind of factoid I can just forget?? No, this meme is going to jockey my brain until the day I die.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago

Like a chicken?

[-] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago

"CHICKEN JOCKEY!"

throws popcorn at phone screen

[-] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

My nephews have been screaming this. I thought they were just insane, but apparently I've missed a meme!

[-] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Minecraft

[-] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

I want to know more. Does this only work for donuts with 1 hole? Odd numbers of holes?

this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2025

176 points (98.9% liked)

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