295
submitted 1 week ago by umbraroze@slrpnk.net to c/aww@lemmy.world

Never ceases to amaze me that Wikipedia has photographic illustrations for weird things. Like the concept of "turtles all the way down". Image source.

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[-] phonics@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

If there was an infinite stack of turtles, and they all took a step forward at the same time, the top turtle would break the speed of light.

[-] CentipedeFarrier@piefed.social 11 points 1 week ago

If it’s infinite, there isnt a top turtle, but there would be a point at which every turtle above breaks the sound barrier, then another point for the speed of light. According to what I understand about time travel and light speed, that might cause moving backward in time, so if thats all true, some of the turtles really far above the point at which they all move faster than light would end up taking their step forward weeks, months, years, even aeons before the bottom turtle hatched.

And that’s pretty neat. Infinities are fun.

[-] phonics@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Thank you for 'yes and'ing with me. This has made my day. I forgot about the vetical stack making time move slower the higher you go.

[-] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago

If it's Infinite turtles, there could be either a top turtle, a bottom turtle, or neither, depending on what kind of infinity it is!

[-] umbraroze@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 week ago

Yes, but turtles wouldn't care for ephemeral human concepts like scientific research results. They'd just go "WHEEEE! SPEEEEEEEDDDDDD!"

[-] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

This is assuming turtle feet have infinite friction as well lol

[-] phonics@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Well they are compressed by infinite turtles which would help with friction. Their calf muscles though.

[-] boaratio@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

It's turtles all the way down.

[-] Zensate@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

I love the idea that after extensive research, scientists concluded the solution to the old earth's problems was more turtles

Honestly, they're not wrong

[-] Joseph662@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 week ago

It's about to get literally out of this world

[-] Stolas@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 week ago

I want to pet them and feed them lettuce.

[-] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

And name them George

[-] Kertyna@feddit.nl 3 points 1 week ago

I got a fever! And the only prescription... is MORE TURTLES!

[-] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

"I’ll build my throne higher! I can and I will!
I’ll call some more turtles. I’ll stack ’em to heaven!
I need ’bout five thousand, six hundred and seven!"

https://cpb-ap-se2.wpmucdn.com/global2.vic.edu.au/dist/5/77421/files/2019/10/Yertle-the-Turtle-and-Other-Sto-Dr.-Seuss.pdf

[-] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

The turtle moves

[-] BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Nice towertle

this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2026
295 points (99.7% liked)

aww

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