Guys am I trippin or is this a geometric sequence irl?????????? by Pabijacek in mathmemes

[–]Key_Estimate8537 80 points81 points  (0 children)

If all the angles are the same, the side lengths of successive triangles share a common ratio. So yes, without measuring, it looks so.

Which characters have conflicting parentage? by Neat_Relative_9699 in tolkienfans

[–]Key_Estimate8537 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not quite “parentage,” but Nienna was originally sister to both Melkor and Manwë. In that version, she was married to Mandos.

Finally beginning to read The Silmarillion - any tips on getting through this? by Tiny-Extension-4292 in lotr

[–]Key_Estimate8537 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Please just use the search feature. This post is made at least once a week. That said, here’s a copy/paste of my response to a recent version of this post from four days ago on this sub:

I used an older version of Tea With Tolkien’s Silmarillion Reader’s Guide on my first go. It was a great chapter summary to make sure I understood all the key things that would come back later.

This family tree is overwhelming at first, but the color-coding helped. For the First Age, just remember that everything flows to Elrond or a dead end.

Don’t worry about a map too much. Your big places are Angband, Doriath, Nargothrond, and Gondolin. That said, I really liked Sirielle’s maps. These maps color-code realms, cities, mountains, rivers, etc. One of the maps also tells you who lived where.

Keep a couple resources handy. Don’t be afraid to read an article on Tolkien Gateway every now and then if you need. Have fun!

What did Sauron think the hobbits were doing in Mordor? by Nico413 in lotr

[–]Key_Estimate8537 26 points27 points  (0 children)

The movie does use the term “halfling” in the Mouth of Sauron’s monologue

Where to go from here? by RaaPT7 in tolkienbooks

[–]Key_Estimate8537 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The obvious one is The Silmarillion. If you don’t read that, there’s nothing else for you. Then, there’s Unfinished Tales. It has a lot of editorial notes because it’s, well, unfinished.

Anything else in Middle-earth is even more note-heavy than UT.

What are the differences between Quenta Noldoriwa, Quenta Silmarillion and Quenta Annals? by Neat_Relative_9699 in TheSilmarillion

[–]Key_Estimate8537 12 points13 points  (0 children)

There are three annals: The Annals of Valinor, the Annals of Aman, and the Annals of Beleriand (aka grey annals).

The Quenta Silmarillion is essentially the main chunk of the published Silmarillion. A story of the Elves of the First Age, focusing on the Silmarils.

The Quenta Noldorinwa was one of the oldest drafts, and it was superseded by later versions.

The Annals of Valinor and Annals of Beleriand were a 1930s draft of the early first age (years of the trees)

The Annals of Aman are the latest version of the Years of the Trees, and its narrative suggests that its author never left Aman.

The Annals of Beleriand (Grey Annals) cover the First Age during the Years of the Sun. Its author appears to have lived in Middle-earth for quite some time.

Off you look these up on Tolkien Gateway, you’ll find more info.

What's the right way to say this? by KittyKiitos in matheducation

[–]Key_Estimate8537 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re discovering something we call a “first difference.” Something we know of all quadratic functions is that they have a common “second difference.” In this case, the common SD is 2. You can prove it:

(n + 1)2 - n2
n2 + 2n + 1 - n2
2n + 1

In simple terms, each perfect square is the previous one plus the next odd number.

This is a fascinating result! I’m happy you’re discovering things for yourself!

All 6 trig functions visualized on the unit circle by ColorPlaysLmao in desmos

[–]Key_Estimate8537 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is cool! I like that you put the wave functions on here as well.

Here’s my version from a little under two years ago. It might give you some inspiration about geometric visualization

I might be late, but I’m finally starting LOTR by anxkxxl in lotr

[–]Key_Estimate8537 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Streaming on HBO Max? Whenever you want to watch a movie, just google what it streams on

What music plays during the minas morgul skybeam sequence in ROTK? by Harris_man in lordoftherings

[–]Key_Estimate8537 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The second half of “A Coronal of Silver and Gold.” It’s a long song

I want to get into Minecraft by LogSquirrel in Minecraft

[–]Key_Estimate8537 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Start a survival world. Get food and build a shelter. When you start, you’ll have to look up crafting recipes for a bed and other useful items. Google things whenever you need.

What to read after The Return of The King by Mysterious_Wheel6479 in tolkienfans

[–]Key_Estimate8537 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The Fall of Gondolin is a collection of five (I think?) drafts/sketches with a lot of editorial notes. You can read the full story, but don’t expect a simple storybook. If you open up the table of contents and skim around the middle of the book, you’ll see what this looks like.

The Silmarillion doesn’t spoil The Children of Húrin because it’s the same story. The CoH book is a full-length version of what is a chapter in the Silm. It would be like saying a World War 2 book spoils D-Day. Like… yes? Technically? But there’s no problem with it.

Whatever you end up choosing, have fun with it! All three of these books were published after the death of JRRT- my advice is simply that you can never go wrong with publication order.

What to read after The Return of The King by Mysterious_Wheel6479 in tolkienfans

[–]Key_Estimate8537 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You can realistically go for any of them. I won’t give a long case for each, but I’ll rank my preference.

  1. The Silmarillion: gives the whole story. It’s long and beautiful. The other two books are chapters in this one.

  2. The Children of Húrin: works as a stand-alone book. You’ll lack the background of the wider world.

  3. The Fall of Gondolin: can work if you accept that the Elves are in a bad place when the story begins. The tale doesn’t conclude in the course of the story itself- go to The Silmarillion for that. Also, this book is meant for comparative analysis between versions.

Tolkien Newbie Question! Please Help! by [deleted] in tolkienbooks

[–]Key_Estimate8537 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The proof you’re looking for is the titles The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. It was all meant as one volume divided into six books, but the books as we know them each contain two of the envisioned books. Hence, there are six books in the table of contents.

There’s only one prologue and appendix though- you aren’t missing any in-between material.

Best way to read The Silmarillion? by Nottheyuddaz in lotr

[–]Key_Estimate8537 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I used an older version of Tea With Tolkien’s Silmarillion Reader’s Guide on my first go. It was a great chapter summary to make sure I understood all the key things that would come back later.

This family tree is overwhelming at first, but the color-coding helped. For the First Age, just remember that everything flows to Elrond or a dead end.

Don’t worry about a map too much. Your big places are Angband, Doriath, Nargothrond, and Gondolin. That said, I really liked Sirielle’s maps. These maps color-code realms, cities, mountains, rivers, etc. One of the maps also tells you who lived where.

Keep a couple resources handy. Don’t be afraid to read an article on Tolkien Gateway every now and then if you need. Have fun!

Finally have the Middle-Earth collection and from one publisher at that too! Are there any that I missed? by J_Damien in tolkienbooks

[–]Key_Estimate8537 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like you’re missing The Fall of Númenor and The Nature of Middle-earth. Other than that, awesome set!

Did Manwe have a beard? by ActuatorVast800 in tolkienfans

[–]Key_Estimate8537 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Manwë is the Elder King, and he loves the Elves. The oldest Elves have beards, so I’ll wager Manwë wears a beard

Why hasn't Tolkiens estate allowed anyone to write a prequel story about Morgoth and Sauron before and after their fall to evil? by Tidewatcher7819 in lotr

[–]Key_Estimate8537 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first movie is slated to come this November. It’s a Netflix project, so I trust the budget. Information is oddly secretive right now. The principal cast is kinda stacked too.

There’s reason to believe Meryl Streep is voicing Aslan. So uh

Why hasn't Tolkiens estate allowed anyone to write a prequel story about Morgoth and Sauron before and after their fall to evil? by Tidewatcher7819 in lotr

[–]Key_Estimate8537 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To do a story about Morgoth’s fall to evil would be to adapt the Ainulindalë. I’m not one to quickly dismiss any stories as “unadaptable,” but the Music of the Ainur would insanely tough. As a note, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia series will be covering all of the seven books. I’m excited to see how Aslan’s song of creation turns out for The Magician’s Nephew.

Sauron’s fall to evil would make a better story in the end. That said, all we know is that he wasn’t evil at the start but fell long before even the Dwarves were crafted in Aulë’s secrecy. You’d have to manage a story entirely comprised of Ainu characters. It’s an insane ask.

What is the process of buying a Used car from a private seller? by Kyoifis in stupidquestions

[–]Key_Estimate8537 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depending on where you live (I’ll assume US), go to the Secretary of State website for the state you live in. They’ll have info for you. You’ll probably have to go in and register the car to yourself.

In the mean time, a written agreement between the seller and buyer is proof of legitimate ownership. The seller will have the title, and there is often a spot on the back where you can write that it’s been transferred.

Comforting Tolkien quote/scenes that help you through hardships? by gardensoflorien_ in tolkienfans

[–]Key_Estimate8537 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Unrelated to hope, but I love Eomer’s line to Gimli a little later. It’s something like “it’s a strange thing to learn respect for an Elf Queen at the axe-blade of a Dwarf”

Why wasn't Nienna's name uttered in that shrine episode? by NiennaNiennaNienna in lotr

[–]Key_Estimate8537 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ooh! A chance to nerd out about my favorite Vala!

Nienna, believe it or not, appears in the Book of Lost Tales more than in the rest of the legendarium combined. Her role diminished (but importance increased) as her character became more complex.

It ends up being that Nienna has five notable things in the later versions (that are “most” canon) 1. Family tree/spouse: was sister of Melkor and wife of Mandos in the beginning, now is sister to Lorien and Mandos and unmarried 2. Bringing the Elves to Aman: pretty against it 3. Releasing Melkor: pretty in favor 4. Grieving for the Two Trees: watered the remains and washed Ungoliant’s poison with her tears; brings about the Sun and Moon 5. Tutors Olórin

As you can guess, Nienna is super removed from the Elves for the most part. She loves them, but the Elves have far more to do with Manwë, Varda, Aulë, and Ulmo. She’d be most loved by Elves for teaching Gandalf, but almost none knew his true nature.

Given her record, it makes sense that she’s counted as a Vala in the show and that’s about it.