ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

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  • Reincarnate
    x'); DROP TABLE FFR;--
    • Nov 2010
    • 6332

    #1

    ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

    I'll bring up one:

    Newcomb's Paradox:

    You've got a demon who, in the past, has been known to be a very accurate predictor. He sets two boxes before you -- one clear and one black. You can see $1000 in the clear box. He says the black box either has nothing in it or $1,000,000. You can take one box, or both.

    But he claims to have predicted what you will do, and says if you pick the black box alone, it will have $1,000,000 in it. But if you take both, the black box will have nothing. The clear box obviously has $1,000 guaranteed.

    He also claims that by the time he has placed money in the boxes and set the boxes before you, he cannot touch them again. The black box either has money in it or it doesn't by the time you are allowed to make your choice.

    What do you do and why?
  • DossarLX ODI
    Batch Manager
    Game Manager
    FFR Simfile Author
    • Mar 2008
    • 14999

    #2
    Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

    What if I chose neither
    Originally posted by hi19hi19
    oh boy, it's STIFF, I'll stretch before I sit down at the computer so not I'm not as STIFF next time I step a file

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    • Reincarnate
      x'); DROP TABLE FFR;--
      • Nov 2010
      • 6332

      #3
      Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

      then the Demon eats you

      Comment

      • Xayphon
        sausage
        FFR Simfile Author
        • Nov 2008
        • 1630

        #4
        Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

        I'd choose box B because I have nothing to loose at all and it'd be worth a try
        Last edited by Xayphon; 06-28-2011, 08:53 AM.

        Comment

        • who_cares973
          FFR Player
          • Aug 2006
          • 15407

          #5
          Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

          you would lose on the opportunity to get 1000 dollars

          Comment

          • Hakulyte
            the Haku
            • Jul 2005
            • 4615

            #6
            Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

            I would look at the demon and say: I'll take the black box, and as he's about to get it for me, I'll add "AND the clear one".

            Why?

            Because the demon will think that I choosed the black one at first and if his prediction is right, lol 1,000,000$ and since I tell him both he's stuck with a flaw in his game. You're also mentioning that he cannot touch them once he sets them up so... trolololol.

            So, unless you add new rules about it, I just got 1,001,000$.

            Plan B:

            Cast Holy Light, kill demon, loot everything and sell to vendors.

            Plan C:

            Still take both since I missed the decision element at the end. The reason being that there's both 1,000,000$ in it and nothing and he's a demon anyway so it's not like I could totally trust him.
            Last edited by Hakulyte; 06-28-2011, 09:43 AM.

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            • Reincarnate
              x'); DROP TABLE FFR;--
              • Nov 2010
              • 6332

              #7
              Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

              Hakulyte: The idea is that if you eventually go for both boxes, the demon will know this.

              Comment

              • Hakulyte
                the Haku
                • Jul 2005
                • 4615

                #8
                Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

                Why would you take a chance with a demon anyway? He could lie and both boxes have nothing in it.
                He could have hidden those 2 boxes that are right and gave you fake ones to take your decision on.
                It could also be right but the demon decides to eat you for diner right after you get 1,000,000$. Not necessary any better.
                I don't remember gambling being in favor of the decision-maker anyway. So, it's both no matter what here.
                Even if you tell me at 100% that there's nothing in it, I still go away with both 1000$ and a pretty cool black box.
                Actually screw money, I just want those boxes.

                ...

                I guess I'll leave Critical Thinking to real thinkers.
                Last edited by Hakulyte; 06-28-2011, 09:58 AM.

                Comment

                • supermousie
                  FFR Player
                  • Feb 2006
                  • 1074

                  #9
                  Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

                  Well, since we are on the discussion of "cool" paradoxes, how would Portals operate in Inception/the Matrix/the Tardis?

                  Something tells me Inception+Portals ends up in a very boring result.
                  Originally posted by aperson
                  yolo

                  Comment

                  • Reincarnate
                    x'); DROP TABLE FFR;--
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 6332

                    #10
                    Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

                    forget it lol

                    Comment

                    • I like it
                      Housekeeper
                      FFR Simfile Author
                      • Jan 2007
                      • 2122

                      #11
                      Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

                      Ok, I am going to try to explain what I think. If the demon really is a good predictor, then after what he said, people will think that choosing the black box alone is giving them alot of money. But humans are greedy. Most will think, well if the black box has a million without the clear box, then why wouldn't it have a million with the clear box? So most would choose both boxes, now if you trusted the demon, you would choose the black box only, but who would trust a demon? I would choose the black box, just to test the demon.

                      Comment

                      • Louis8k8
                        FFR Player
                        • Nov 2006
                        • 33

                        #12
                        Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

                        Take only the clear one, it makes the least logical sense so maybe the demon will get fooled.
                        I LiKe tO plAy FFR wif MaH fACE

                        Comment

                        • SKG_Scintill
                          Spun a twirly fruitcake,
                          FFR Simfile Author
                          • Feb 2009
                          • 3876

                          #13
                          Re: ITT we discuss cool "paradoxes"

                          I'd get a job





                          Originally posted by bluguerilla
                          So Sexy Robotnik (SKG_Scintill) {.0001/10} [--]
                          ___
                          . RHYTHMS PR LAYERING
                          . ZOMG I HAD TO QUIT OUT TERRIBLE
                          .

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