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TIL the Hairy Ball theorem (wikipedia.org)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by vatlark@lemmy.world to c/til@lemmy.ca

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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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[-] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 47 points 2 days 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.

[-] critical@reddthat.com 6 points 2 days ago

Like a chicken?

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 6 points 2 days ago

"CHICKEN JOCKEY!"

throws popcorn at phone screen

[-] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago

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

[-] can@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago

Minecraft

[-] TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz 4 points 2 days 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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