Why are there so many 4's?

Mr Think

27 Feb 202408:34

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe script discusses the challenges of writing the number '4' consistently across various fonts and contexts. It highlights the variations in the depiction of '4' in different typefaces, such as the 'half finished sty' common in Apple and Google fonts, and the 'Lego hand' variant used in electronic displays. The narrative also delves into cultural perceptions of the number '4' in East Asian cultures, where it is associated with bad luck due to its phonetic similarity to the word for 'death'. This leads to the avoidance of the number in various aspects of life, from building floor numbering to product pricing and wedding dates. The script concludes by reflecting on the personal preference in choosing a style for the number '4' and the lack of a universal standard due to the recognizability of all its forms.

Takeaways

📝 The individual practiced writing the number '4' through various tracing exercises, identifying differences in the way '4' is represented.
🎨 Different figures of '4' were observed, with variations in the angle and line structure, leading to confusion on which style to adopt.
📺 The person took a break to watch TV and noticed the number '4' in a BMW advertisement, sparking an interest in typography.
🔍 A search for the font family used on the BMW website led to the discovery of 'BMW Typex' web font and its unique '4'.
🌐 The script mentions the prevalence of the half-star style '4' in various brands and products, such as Apple, Google, and Toy Story.
🔢 The half-star '4' can be indistinguishable from the number '9' on seven-segment displays, leading to alternative representations.
🇰🇷 The individual explored the possibility of the '4' being a character in the Korean alphabet, finding that the number '4' has a negative connotation in East Asian cultures.
🏢 In East Asian countries, buildings often skip floors containing the number '4' due to superstitions, and similar practices are seen in pricing and marketing.
💍 The avoidance of the number '4' extends to wedding dates and banquet arrangements, with the preference for auspicious numbers like '8'.
🍴 The discussion touched on the rarity of four-pronged forks compared to pairs of chopsticks, possibly influenced by cultural aversions to the number '4'.
📝 The choice of writing style for the number '4' is subjective and varies based on personal preference and context, without a universal standard.

Q & A

What was the main challenge the user faced while practicing writing the number four?
-The main challenge was the inconsistency in the forms of the number four across different worksheets and examples, which made it difficult to decide which style to use and teach.
How did the user's exploration of the number four lead them to buying a BMW?
-The user noticed the number four in various forms while stressed, and this led to a spontaneous decision to buy a BMW, where they encountered a different style of the number four in the BMW typeface.
What is the name of the font family used on the BMW website?
-The font family used on the BMW website is called BMW Typex Web font.
Why does the half star style of the number four cause confusion in electronic devices?
-The half star style of the number four can be indistinguishable from the number nine when depicted on a seven-segment display, leading to potential misinterpretation.
What alternative depiction of the number four is used in electronic devices to avoid confusion with the half star style?
-An alternative depiction resembling a Lego hand is used to avoid confusion with the half star style in electronic devices.
What cultural beliefs surrounding the number four were mentioned in the script?
-In East Asian cultures, the number four is associated with bad luck and death due to its phonetic similarity to the word for death, leading to the practice of tetrobot (avoiding the digit 4) in various aspects of life.
How do buildings in East Asian countries avoid using the number four?
-Buildings often skip the fourth floor or any floor containing the number four, using alternative naming conventions like 3A for the fourth floor.
What is an example of how companies avoid using the number four in their product model numbers?
-Samsung skipped the number four in their Galaxy S8 model number, using SM-G950 instead of following the sequence that would have included the number four.
How do cultural beliefs about the number four affect wedding dates in East Asian cultures?
-Couples often select wedding dates that avoid the number four, opting for dates considered auspicious, like those containing the number eight, which symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.
What was the user's strategy for deciding on a preferred style of writing the number four?
-The user suggests choosing a style based on individual priorities and the context in which the number will be used, such as considering the style a teacher uses when taking a test.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Struggles with Tracing the Number Four

The paragraph discusses the author's struggle with tracing the number four in various forms across different worksheets. The author notes the inconsistencies in the way the number is presented, such as the right angle in figure one and the bisected line in figure two. The author also observes the acute angle and slanted left stroke in subsequent worksheets. The frustration leads to a break, during which the author encounters the number four again in various forms, including on a BMW website and in the Fallout Falls box art. The author's exploration of the half-star style of the number four and its prevalence in popular culture is highlighted, as well as the challenges of depicting it on seven-segment displays. The author's detour into Korean characters and the cultural significance of the number four in East Asian cultures concludes with the observation that the number four is often associated with bad luck.

05:01

🏢 The Cultural Impact of the Number Four

This paragraph delves into the cultural impact of the number four in East Asian countries, where it is often associated with bad luck and death. The author discusses how buildings, such as elevators, may skip floors containing the number four, and how products and services avoid using the number in pricing or marketing. The paragraph also touches on how the number four influences the selection of wedding dates and the arrangement of banquet tables. The author ponders the cultural avoidance of four-pronged forks in favor of pairs of chopsticks and reflects on the adaptation of 4K resolution naming. The paragraph concludes with the author's personal preference for writing the number four, suggesting that the variant used is often a matter of individual preference and context.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tracing exercises

Tracing exercises refer to the practice of following a pattern or shape with a pen or pencil to improve handwriting or drawing skills. In the context of the video, the narrator is working on worksheets to practice writing the number four, which is a high achiever's task, and encounters difficulties in consistently tracing the number across different examples.

💡High achiever

A high achiever is a person who consistently performs at a high level, often excelling in academic or other pursuits. In this script, the number four is referred to as a 'high achiever,' indicating that it is a number the narrator aspires to master in their handwriting practice.

💡Irregularity

Irregularity refers to a lack of uniformity or consistency in a pattern or system. In the video, the irregularity is observed in the different forms of the number four presented in the tracing exercises, which causes confusion for the narrator.

💡Typography

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. The video discusses various typefaces and how they represent the number four, highlighting the impact of typography on the perception of numbers.

💡Seven-segment display

A seven-segment display is an electronic display device for showing decimal numerals and some letters. It consists of seven segments that can be lit up in various combinations to represent different characters. In the context of the video, the narrator discusses the challenges of representing the half star style of the number four on such displays, where it can be confused with the number nine.

💡Korean characters

Korean characters, or Hanja, are logographic characters used in the Korean language, which often include straight lines and 90° angles. The video explores the possibility of the Lego hand variant of the number four being a character in Korean and its potential separate meaning.

💡Tetraphobia

Tetraphobia is the fear or aversion towards the number four, which is common in East Asian cultures due to its phonetic similarity to words associated with death or bad luck. The video discusses how this phobia affects various aspects of life, such as building floor numbering and product pricing.

💡Cultural associations

Cultural associations refer to the meanings or connotations that a symbol, word, or number carries within a specific culture. In the video, the number four has various cultural associations in East Asian cultures, where it is often viewed as unlucky or associated with death.

💡Wedding dates

Wedding dates are significant as they are chosen for their auspiciousness or personal meaning. In the video, it is mentioned that couples in East Asian cultures carefully select wedding dates to avoid those that include the number four, which is considered unlucky, and opt for dates with the number eight, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.

💡4K resolution

4K resolution refers to a horizontal resolution of approximately 4,000 pixels, often used in high-definition television and digital cinema. In the video, the narrator humorously contemplates whether the advent of 4K resolution required people to stick to 1080p due to cultural aversions to the number four.

💡Writing styles

Writing styles refer to the unique ways in which individuals or groups write characters or numbers. The video emphasizes the diversity of writing styles for the number four and how personal preferences and cultural contexts can influence these styles.

Highlights

The individual has completed four tracing exercises practicing the number four, identifying as a high achiever.

The worksheets feature different representations of the number four, causing confusion on which style to use.

The number four in figure one has a right angle with a parallel line, while in figure two, the line is bisected into two equal parts.

The third worksheet shows an acute angle in the number four, with a left stroke, while the last worksheet features a slanted left stroke.

The individual took a break to watch football and noticed the number four in various fonts, including BMW typex and Fallout Falls box art.

The BMW typex font features a four with an acute angle connected to a shorter line, similar to the Fallout Falls art.

The half star style of the number four is recognized in most typefaces and is used by notable brands like Apple, Google, and Toy Story.

The depiction of the half star 4 on seven-segment displays can be indistinguishable from the number nine, leading to alternative depictions.

The Lego hand variant of four is disliked for its robotic and soulless appearance, resembling unseasoned chicken.

The Korean language features straight lines and 90° angles, leading to speculation about the use of the four variant in the language.

The number four in Korean sounds like the word for death, carrying a negative connotation and associated with bad luck.

Tetrobot for fall and fear is a practice in East Asian cultures where the number four is avoided due to its negative associations.

In many East Asian countries, buildings often skip floors containing the number four, and apartment or office numbers with four are avoided or replaced.

Businesses avoid using the number four in pricing or marketing strategies, as seen with Samsung's model numbers.

Couples in East Asian cultures often select wedding dates to avoid the number four, opting for dates with the number eight for prosperity.

The variant of the number four used is determined by preference and writing styles, which might differ based on priorities.

There isn't a gold standard for the number four due to the ability to recognize and read all variants the same, catering to different preferences.

The individual shares their personal preference for writing the number four, suggesting options for those who can't decide.

Transcripts

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Why are there so many 4's?

Takeaways

Q & A

What was the main challenge the user faced while practicing writing the number four?

How did the user's exploration of the number four lead them to buying a BMW?

What is the name of the font family used on the BMW website?

Why does the half star style of the number four cause confusion in electronic devices?

What alternative depiction of the number four is used in electronic devices to avoid confusion with the half star style?

What cultural beliefs surrounding the number four were mentioned in the script?

How do buildings in East Asian countries avoid using the number four?

What is an example of how companies avoid using the number four in their product model numbers?

How do cultural beliefs about the number four affect wedding dates in East Asian cultures?

What was the user's strategy for deciding on a preferred style of writing the number four?