> i think you agree that the arabic notation and the "dotty" notation are
> interchangable.

Since arabic representations extend beyond just positive integers, I'm 
interested in the "dotty" notation for trivial arabic notation values 
0.5, and -5, or whether "dotty" notation can even remotely extend to 
represent a couple of other useful numbers, pi, and i.

As to copying, there are indeed physical objects that copy themselves 
without the need for external "factories" - we here on planet Earth 
call them "cells".  Strictly speaking, in mitosis, the original is 
destroyed and replaced by two entities built from parts of the 
original, but they copies are usually functionally equivalent and 
interchangeable with each other.

I've never understood the fascination with the pseudo-philosophy of 
"The Matrix" - the whole "we only know what our senses tell us" thing 
is really not much of a step up from the "what if atoms are little 
solar systems" and "what if I went back in time and killed my 
grandfather" types of philosophy questions that seem profound when 
you're a teenager smoking weed.

-- Duane