| 'Is Middle Earth flat?'*
This apparently naive question could be included in any FAQ list made by some of the miriads Tolkien's fans.
Have they come too far?
No, this question is a serious exercise as a rough introduction of non-euclidean geometry in a heavy and rigurous book full of mathematical formulae and physical principles, 'Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the General Relativity', by Steven Weinberg** (1971), professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
'- You Struck Gold at MIT? [...]
- They expelled me for my theory of Actual Reality Which I'll soon impart
To the couch potatoes at New York University'
'Today 4 U', from 'Rent', by Jonathan Larson
* I have just read a curious review about 'The Silmarillion' that reminded me this question.
** Yes, the author of 'The Three First Minutes of the Universe'!'
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