Binary numbers

It’s January 1, 2011, and that got me thinking about the binary numeral system. (As I’m sure it did you, too, right?) In the binary system, any number can be represented by a series of 0’s and 1’s when written in a specific order.

Maybe last October you heard or read people talking about October 10th being a “binary day”. That’s because the short date was written 10/10/10 – all ones and zeros. (There were others last year as well.) Today is the same – 1/1/11 or 1/01/11. There are several more days this year that will fit the binary code:

• 1/10/11
• 1/11/11
• 10/01/11 or 10/1/11
• 10/10/11
• 10/11/11
• 11/1/11 or 11/01/11
• 11/10/11
• 11/11/11

Computers use binary logic because there are only two real options: True / Yes (1) or False / No (0). You sometimes see this on your home electronics. Often the power switch has symbols to signify “On” (1) and “Off” (0).

Apparently, Jesus is a fan of the binary system, too. In Revelation 3:15-16 he told the people in the church at Laodicea:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!

So have a great Binary Day. Don’t be lukewarm (0 – off) in your love and service to God. He wants you “on” this year (1 – cold, hot).

(BTW – the picture above is a joke. In binary, the number “2” is written “10”.)