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Title
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1970_Sackson_135_April 25.jpg
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Creator
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Sid Sackson
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Date
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1970
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Type
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image
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Format
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.jpg
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Source
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Box 1, Object 8, Sid Sackson collection
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Language
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English
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Coverage
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1970
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Rights
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The Strong, Rochester, New York.
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transcription
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English
SATURDAY 25 APRIL
St. Mark, Evangelist 1970 115th day - 250 days to come
Called Martin Gardner. He will see if he can learn how AGOG is doing with
the book club. He thinks that 7,333 sales is good for a book of this
type. (3000 is probably their break even point.)
Martin told me of a game, or rather a problem (I don't remember
where it originated), called QUADRAPHAGE (SQUARE EATER). One player
has a single piece which starts in the center of a large
(theoretically infinite) quadrille. It moves as a chess king. The other
player, the square eater, places a set number of pieces each
turn trying to hem in the single piece. Martin says that with 4
pieces on a turn it is easy to hem the single piece. With 3 it is
probably also a win. But with 2 it is still an unsolved problem who
will win. Also he says that the way to do it is by forming a
circle, rather than by playing next to the single piece.
Conway of England has come up with a fascinating mathematical recreation
he calls THE GAME OF LIFE. In the center of a large quadrille (either use
pencil on paper or pieces on a board) start with a grouping of pieces-
the number and positioning is what starts the whole process going. This
is considered an organism that goes thru a series of generations.
In each generation some pieces live, others die, and new ones are born.
Pieces adjacent to 2 or 3 other pieces, orthogonally or diagonally, live.
Pieces adjacent to 4 or more pieces die due to overpopulation.
Pieces adjacent to 1 or no other pieces die due to isolation.
An empty space next to exactly 3 pieces gives birth to a new piece.
All of these actions take place simultaneously in one generation and
are completed before the next generation begins.
I told Martin about my LOTTO WAR and its similarity, which
he saw. I achieved by random means what Conway acheived by set rules.
I asked if he had heard from Frank Armbruster. Frank sent him a set
of cubes and asked him if he would write up an instruction and back-
ground booklet for THE TOWER GAME. Martin answered that he would
only do this if he recieved an advance. He offered to give Frank all
his references [crossed out]. So that Frank can do it himself, with
no payment to Martin. No answer so far.
I reminded Martin that Alex wanted me to show him his, Alex', games.
Martin said that as soon as he gets a chance we'll get together.
Looked at the new rules for MONAD. There was no change in the content
and they seemed easier to follow.
Put black contact on the back of the PROFIT cards. In evening played,
or rather watched, a game with Mike Baschkopf, Helen Sternberg,
Stan (the Karlans' friend), and Mitch. They liked it, altho we only
played once thru the deck. They would have liked a second but we
didn't have the time.
In my talk with Martin I asked him if he had tried
ASTRO-FLITE. No, but his older son has and liked it.
