The LA Times explains that a "repunit" is a number containing only one digit, like 2222 or 11,111. Their source explains that the term was coined by Albert H. Beiler in 1966. My guess is that he just ripped that from the Wikipedia article linked above or he's just really into recreational mathematics, making him super cool, in my book.
Needless to say, New Age types on the 'net have been pretty concerned about the Mayan Apocalypse. Fox News tells us that 11/11/2011 got associated with 12/21/2012 (the official end of the Mayan long-count calendar, i.e., when we're all gonna die/be reborn/ushered into a new epoch/meh) when believers, "noticed that the U.S. Naval Observatory had set the exact time of the 2012 winter solstice for 11:11 Universal Time on Dec. 21, according to John Hoopes, a scholar of Maya history at the University of Kansas," (emphasis mine). First, who just peruses the U.S. Naval Observatory's site for the exact times of solstices? (You do, now. Freak). Apparently, Google AdWords can even target the intersection between astronomy buffs, Mayan history nerds and Christian doomsayers and the USNO is flexing their SEO muscles. Even so, looking at the above link, USNO says it's actually going down on 11:12 UT. I call conspiracy.
It's actually inspired a horror movie, 11-11-11, about an author who travels to Barcelona after the death of his wife and child, only to be haunted by the number 11 at every turn. I'm sure this guy is going to love it. These guys too. After watching that vid, check out Scientific American blogger Susana Speier, who asks "Does 11/11/11 Have Anything to Do With Science?". Well? Does it?!?
Spinal Tap fans have commandeered the day, in honor of the famous clip above. You've likely realized we're a part of that community here at LRG!! (although when I say the short form aloud, I like to call it LRG BANG BANG). So, in honor of the day, get married, watch Pi and Spinal Tap back-to-back, and check out some Sesame Street videos featuring the Count. Ah ah ah.
