At work we somehow landed on the topic of how many holes a human has, which then evolved into a heated discussion on the classic question of how many holes does a straw have.

I think it's two, but some people are convinced that it's one, which I just don't understand. What are your thoughts?

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[–] 1 point 3 years ago* (11 children)

What if you bored from both ends of the cylinder until they meet in the middle?

There would be two holes until, at the moment of contact, it becomes one?

Does the method with which the straw shaft is created influence the number of holes it has?

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  • [–] 17 points 3 years ago* (9 children)

    No, topologically there would be no holes until the moment of contact. This is the same as there being no hole when drilling through from only one side until the surface on the opposing side is broken.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (7 children)

    So how does one “dig a hole?” Straight to China? Or whatever is opposite of you?

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  • [–] 3 points 3 years ago (6 children)

    Topologically, yes. Buy you could also go down a bit, make a lateral tunnel, then pop back up.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 years ago* (5 children)

    So what you are saying is, if I dig a hole that doesn't go anywhere, then that's not really a hole?

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    In topology, yes. It must go through to count.

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