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Dialogue for 2

A dialogue with the number 2, with special guest Brady Haran of Numberphile and other channels! http://www.youtube.com/user/numberphile http://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos http://www.youtube.com/user/sixtysymbols. Created by Vi Hart.

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Video transcript

VI: Hey, 2. 2: Oh, hey there, Vi. What's up with you? VI: Oh, nothing. I just wanted to talk, I guess. 2: Oh. Oh, oh, ooh, ah, ow! VI: Sorry, 2, but you know, you look good this way. So symmetric and fundamental. 2: Oh, I guess. I just feel a little bit off when I'm like this. VI: Oh, nonsense. You know, 2, one of the things I like about you-- 2: Ouch! VI: --is that you're just as 2-ish no matter how you look. I mean, you're dependable. 2: Ow! VI: I like that in a person. No matter what I do-- 2: Ouch! VI: --you'll always be-- 2: Ow! VI: --my-- 2: Ow! VI: --2. 2: Ow! So, Vi, is something bothering you? VI: I don't know, 2. Life has been pretty crazy. It's just nice to have some constants in my life. 2: Well, you know, I'm always here for you. VI: I know, 2. So, how have you been lately? 2: Well, same as ever, really. VI: Ah, figures. Good old 2, you're always just being yourself, you know? I don't have to worry I'm going to come home some day, and you're going to have changed your values. It's not like someday I'll split you into two halves and find you're not 1 plus 1. You're always 1 plus 1, and I like that about you. It's like, I don't know, you're something that makes sense in this crazy world. 2: Oh, well. VI: Do you ever feel kind of different from other numbers? I mean, you're prime, but your even. You're the first really numbery number. I mean, like 1 is barely a number. It's just, like, 1. 2: But all numbers are different, aren't they? VI: I guess, yeah. But don't you ever feel like, lonely or something? I guess that doesn't make sense. You're a number. 2: Vi, are you sure that's not something bothering you? VI: I guess I've been feeling a little out of control lately. Like, I've been traveling and working, and I'm almost two years behind on emails. 2: Two years, you say? Is that a long time? VI: Oh, for an email reply? Yeah, two years is huge. 2: Well, that makes me feel good, doesn't it? I think I like years. VI: Well, I mean two years isn't long in terms of-- oh, never mind. That's another thing I like about you. You're so patient. I never need to feel rushed with you. It's just nice to have something solid in my life, something I feel in control of. 2: Well, thanks, I guess. VI: But I've been so busy lately trying to do way too many things at once. And I'm involved in all these projects. 2: Oh, come on, Vi. It can't be that bad. VI: There's all this responsibility, and everyone's trying to use me for their own purposes. 2: Well, you know-- ouch. I can't say I have a whole lot of sympathy. I mean, I'm pretty busy too, you know. I get used quite a bit. VI: Yeah, in preschoolers' homework and the titles of bad movie sequels? 2: [SCOFFS] I'll have you know, I'm in a great many famous books and diagrams. I'm in a lot of really good diagrams and graphs. And I'm quite popular with young adults these days. You know, I've got a pretty good gig with this whole text messaging thing. You know, it's hard work keeping up with all that. VI: Yeah, but 2, you're a number. I can only be in one place at a time. 2: Well, maybe I'm tired of it, too. Maybe tomorrow some kid will be trying to add 1 plus 1, and I'll just refuse to show up. VI: But you are 1 plus 1. You can't just not show up. You're already there. 2: Yeah. And maybe you should think of that next time before you start whining. I mean, it isn't that hard. You just do what you have to do, show up where you have to show up. There's no point stressing over it. VI: You know, 2, that actually isn't bad advice. You're right. I should just do stuff as I go without imagining all of it stacked into a precarious pile looming over my near future. Might as well live in the present. After all, I can't not show up. I'm already here, you know? 2: Well, not really, I mean-- VI: Anyway, I'm glad we had this chance to just sit and chat like this. You're a good number. 2: That's very kind of you to say. VI: I'm going to seize the present moment, and go do some important Vi stuff. I'll see you later, 2. 2: Well, hang on, this doesn't feel that-- hey, where are you going? There's a lot of cool stuff you don't know about me yet. Are you listening? Hello? Anybody there? Well. Well, I think I'll just go hang out with Pi then.