I'm sorry to say that my dear Mr Oakley is living in the past with his obsession with sprouts & the number 9. Every modern thinker knows that onions are far more significant, especially octonions. Once one has achieved that mental leap - slightly difficult for Mr Oakley's brain, one must admit - one realises that the number 8 is the ultimate number as it is the key that will give us a theory of everything.However,if we have a theory of everything then there's nothing left to explore so we may as well all expire on the spot 'cos life won't be very interesting. Hmmmm, maybe sprouts & 9 may well be the saviour of the human race. Thankyou Sage Oakley for your wisdom.