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Just slightly a link-bait-esque title. Can we rename it to e.g. “Tau: Why 2π Would Be a Better Constant than Pi”?


Tau is pretty much designed for link bait. It's worse than the programming flamewars, and on even shakier ground when people claim that it matters. Just wait until people start calculating the amount of energy saved if people used tau instead of 2 pi.


Bob Palais' original article title, "Pi Is Wrong!", was intentionally provocative. When I suggested the use of tau for 2 pi in The Tau Manifesto, I followed his usage for the sake of continuity.

"Pi is wrong!" also makes for a pithier rallying cry. Can you imagine Braveheart yelling "Tau: Why 2π Would Be a Better Constant than Pi!" Neither can I.




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