The Chatroom

[Balin]

With a year's chat archived, hopefully we can get some more chatter going.

[Balin]

(additionally, can a mod with pinning powers pin this to the top, please?)

[peter365]

Thanks for archiving Balin , as you can see I've pinned it to the top of the page. The chatroom is dying a slow death on this forum for some reason.

[WiZ]

A strange and unexplained death, you say? Sounds about right for a forums devoted to Lateral Thinking Puzzles.

[peter365]

The music stopped the chatroom died.

[Admin]

Here is the up to date list of all time most posts by members of the forum:

GalFisk
9053
Sweden

Balin
7475
Connecticut, USA

RedWine
4180
Poland

WiZ
2914
Wellington, New Zealand

Earnest
2493

Grip
2358
Central Florida, USA

irishelk
2020
Washington DC-ish

peter365
1950
Dublin, Ireland

JenBurdoo
1727
Florida, USA

invisiblemimsy
1677
Scotland

Acridian9
1479
Pisa, Italy

Doriana
1424
Göttingen, Germany

CoffeeBean
1318

Solong
1297

wolfier
1128

Zanreo
1074
Norway

LemonCurry
959
Worms, Germany

jumpingjacks
948
London, UK

trebor
889
Canada

Hobbsicle
839
Texas, United States

Westing1992
787
United States

[WiZ]

What a multicultural bunch we are! The top 5 alone covers 5 countries, 3 continents, and 5 official languages (although Te Reo Maori is kind of on life support, practically speaking)

[Earnest]

*.* it's an honour to be in the top 5

[peter365]

Interesting list Paul.

Despite my longevity on both versions of the forum i've never been a prolific poster which is probably due to the fact that I don't host that many puzzles. I really need to be a bit more proactive in coming up with puzzle ideas.

Anyway it's lovely to see such an amazing geographical spread.

keep it up folks.

[Zanreo]

Hey, I'm in the top 20, cool! And I should also try coming up with some more puzzles now that I'm back...

[Hobbsicle]

I barely made it on this list. I should...

[Hobbsicle]

...post more often.

[GalFisk]

I should post more seldom
But I enjoy the LTPF, though I always seem to cycle between binging and having a break.

[Balin]

I've been very lax in posting lately. Should probably get back on here a bit more.

[WiZ]

It would be one heck of a party if everyone on that list managed to be here at the same time.

[trebor]

I’m quite pleased to have cracked the list, given my relatively recent joining. (Not as recent as some more frequent posters though!) For me it’s often the case that I’ll log in, read any new developments, and then not post if I don’t have the brain space. I also haven’t hosted the one or two puzzles I’ve thought of, for the same reason.

[Earnest]

I guess it's something subjective. I post a lot every time I can since for me it's a relaxing activity (quite like smoking suring the pause for someone else). Sometimes it is also a way to free the brain from any other tedious problem. I must admit that it could end up in asking boring or useless questions but at least it contributes to the forum I hope!

[WiZ]

Hi, everyone.

So, when I'm not devising Lateral Thinking Puzzles or writing bad opening sentences to novels, I'm also a songwriter, and I've just released my 5th compilation of tracks I've worked with artists across the world on. Here is the press release:

---------------------------

It's back, and better than ever! Now! That's What I Call Wordsmith, the 5th compilation album by Stephen Wordsmith and the artists of FAWM and 50/90!

18 Massive* hits, featuring artists from New Zealand, Australia, The US, UK, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Finland.

Featuring genres such as acoustic rock, alt-folk, celtic rock, schoolhouse rap, spoken-word space opera, lateral-thinking-puzzle African chant and help-a-ghost-is-dragging-me-into-a-closet ethereal piano capella.

Discover how much evil can be packed into a teaspoon. See the connections between a sunless planet and a drunken country driver. Find out why it's the kitten who gets the lion's share out of humans. Dive into the internal monologue of a suicide prevention hotline worker when he fields a call from his mother. Sneak a peek at the log of the captain of a ship in a bottle.

It's all here, and all from the mind of Stephen Wordsmith, Wellington's fourth-most eminent Shower Philosopher*. Listen, and enjoy!

*Citation needed

https://stephenwordsmith.bandcamp.com/a ... -wordsmith

[peter365]

You certainly sell it well.

[irishelk]

It would be one heck of a party if everyone on that list managed to be here at the same time.

Pick a time, I'll be here!

[WiZ]

Check out the webathon threads in the chatroom archives to see just how compatible my time zone is with everyone else's!

[trebor]

Does anyone else have an issue with messages languishing in their outbox instead of being sent? Am I doing something wrong sometimes?

[Balin]

I've seen some of mine in the outbox but I always assumed they were sent too. Hadn't thought about it much... hmm.

[WiZ]

I have noticed that some of my messages are sent to the outbox after I click send, but I have nonetheless had the person I was writing to reply while it was there.

It may be more of an issue of the sent message being routed strangely at the sender's end than never actually leaving at all.

[trebor]

I've noticed now that the two messages in my outbox are intended for recipients who haven't logged in since I've sent them. I'm thinking that has something to do with it.

[WiZ]

I suppose I'll uphold the LTPF tradition and announce my birthday in the Chatroom. I am now 34, which means I have all of one year left to tick the 25-34 box on survey forms, or apply for any sort of workshop or programme with 'Young' in the title.

It's strange for me to think back on being 18, seeing events open to people aged 18-35, and thinking that 35 couldn't possibly be considered 'young' - that age belonged to people with cushy jobs, nice houses and two kids starting primary school and generally well on the way to mastering the universe.

Looking at that now, it seems I have a lot to accomplish in the next 12 months.

[peter365]

Belated happy birthday WiZ , even more belated given that you live in the future. Enjoy these years while you can!

[trebor]

Happy belated! I am only marginally older and find consolation in the fact that, even if I have less than nothing in my bank account and certainly no kids/mortgage payments/etc. in my visible future, at the very least I can say that once in a while I’m able to solve a LTP, and participate in a number of others.

[trebor]

Does anybody else listen to the Futility Closet podcast?

[peter365]

No but having read the wiki page about it I might check it out as it sounds very interesting. I suscribe to about 15 different podcasts that keep me company on the long commute to and from work.

[trebor]

I love the podcast, and somewhere around episode twenty or thirty they started doing a lateral thinking puzzle at the end of each one. Of course, some will already be known to people on here because they're from books, but many aren't. I keep meaning to start listening to other podcasts but I keep wanting to get caught up on this one instead.

[Admin]

Futility closet sounds futile and hidden so just up my street. If you are on facebook please join my new group, Rocket Fuel for the Brain. And post any interesting stuff there relating to thinking, memory, problem solving or ideas. Thanks. Paul

[WiZ]

I've just signed up, and told my manager about this, too - She lives and breathes learning theory, and is forever sending me links to innovative ideas to try with my learners. Perhaps I can contribute an article or two...

[Balin]

Apologies for the inactivity over the last few days, especially running the Christmas puzzle. But I hope that can be assuaged with the once-regular-but-now-occasional traditional announcement of an LTPF birthday - I've turned 28 today.

[WiZ]

Happy birthday, Balin, and well done on avoiding joining the 27 club.

[Hobbsicle]

Happy birthday, Avalon! Baking. Baling. Balin. Spell-correct is full of great ideas.

Lots of good puzzles around here. Haven’t been able to participate too much, but I’ve been watching in the wings. Quality is high as always. Maybe a little too high. Tone it down a bit, guys.

[Earnest]

Happy birthday!!!!!

[peter365]

Many happy returns Balin.

[irishelk]

@Balin--Happy Belated!

@Hobbs--don't worry, I'll be posting plenty of mediocre puzzles directly.

@everybody--
I posted this on my solved puzzle, but I'll say it here too so that there's a chance someone will read it: Has anyone ever reached out to the Futility Closet people? I'm tempted to ask them to do a quick plug of the LTPF, but I haven't listened to many back episodes yet so I didn't know if that was already a thing. I bet some of their listeners would be great new forum members.

P.S. Already super excited for PUZZEL OF THE YEAR!

[WiZ]

We've had a different person host the thread since 2016 - perhaps you could do the honours this year, IrishElk.

[trebor]

I’m working my way through the Futility Closet archives. I’m on episode 189 (working forward from the first, not backward). I’ve sent them an email completely unrelated to this forum, but I’m wanting to let them know about us. In particular, Balin, I think your puzzle about the two-month prison stay would be right up their alley. I’ve yet to hear the LTPF mentioned.

[Earnest]

P.S. Already super excited for PUZZEL OF THE YEAR!

Me tooooo. Ready to vote!

[irishelk]

Cool, I will drop a line to F.C.

And yes, I'm happy to host the voting thread this year. We usually don't start it until after the first, right?

[Balin]

Yep, that way December puzzles don't get left out of the voting.

[WiZ]

Thanks to Balin's clues, we have 120 of the best puzzles all together in one book, which I am still halfway through consolidating stylistically. I may make finishing this a summer project while the government shuts down over Christmas, especially if it's going to continue to pour with rain every day.

[irishelk]

That's so exciting, WiZ! Let me know if you could use help. I've got a couple of weeks pretty free now, then I'm pretty swamped until May.

[WiZ]

Can you draw? I think it would be neat if we had some wry little illustrations a la Myron Miller, offering facetious solutions for some of the puzzles.

[Earnest]

Very nice WiZ! Thanks for spreading lateral thinking!
If any helpp needed in future, let me know

[irishelk]

I could give it a try! And if I fail, I have some artistic friends. Any particular puzzles you have in mind to be illustrated? Feel free to PM or email (eskaypen@live.com).

[WiZ]

All right, I have e-mailed you a design brief plus a master copy of all the puzzles, in case you wish to come up with your own ideas.

I have to say that, even as an instructional designer, I found the process of looking at puzzles, thinking of cartoons of hilarious wrong answers (that only made sense in context) and then describing them verbally, to be very strange. Paul, how did you and Myron go about it?

[WiZ]

A somewhat belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Whatever it is you love most about this time of year, be it the presents, the time with loved ones, or the retreat from daily life, I hope it was all you wanted it to be.

I've finished formatting the compilation of puzzles, now. 120 puzzles, 360 clues, 65 pages and 20,969 words. Will stick up a contents and index page if and when I discover whether the book will have illustrations

[Hobbsicle]

I want to express my frustrations with this forum, in the way that it consistently keeps songs running through my head. Particular accusations must be leveled against Balin, because I have walked at LEAST 100 thousand miles, and am ready to fall down at anyone’s door! Sometimes the slight is unintentional, as is likely the case with IrishElk. Melinda may move, but it’s alright, because she moves in mysterious ways. I’m just lucky I don’t know that much REM, or I’d have to leave, though sometimes just their mention has me standing in the place where I work and pushing an elephant up the stairs. Something needs to change, because I can’t shake it off! Shake it off! Shake...dang it!

(And scene)

[peter365]

Apparently there are 50 ways to leave this forum

[Earnest]

Sorry for changing topic but I would like to have news about people in Australia. Fires seem a huge concern and I understood that many people had to leave their houses...so...I don't know if from Italy any help can be given but still...

[WiZ]

Well, it's pretty dire. Nearly 30 lives lost, 3000 homes destroyed, and the fires have covered an area 2/3 the size of Italy and continue to spread. The smoke has now spread as far as Chile, and is turning the blue summer skies of Oceania into hazy greyness. The current Prime Minister is not helping the situation, as he refuses to give firefighters the financial support they require, or acknowledge the effect that climate change has had in leading to more frequent and widespread bushfire seasons.

Each and every day, people are dealing with the loss of their homes and property, having to flee their communities and neighbourhoods, and the mental stress and anguish of the constant danger and uncertainty around them. Firefighters, both paid and voluntary, are risking life and limb all the time in their efforts to extinguish and control the fires. Like so many in the wider world, it's not surprising you feel a little helpless and wish you could do something to better the situation.

Your most likely option is to make a donation - as every little bit helps. Firefighters are paying for their own gear. Business operators are suffering massive losses. People are recovering property and shelling out for the cost of relocation. Here is a list of ways to fundraise or make a donation - given where you are, it's probably most suitable just to give money directly. The page categorises the various charities so you can choose to an extent which area you wish to help out in - be it environmental or wildlife protection, rebuilding communities or supporting the mental health of Australians. You also have options to purchase art or healthcare products with all proceeds going towards the fire effort.

Cheers from Oceania.

[WiZ]

Just a quick disclaimer that you may wish to stick to the list, as there are a lot of scam operators and fundraisers where most of the money donated is channelled towards the charity's operating costs or whatever. The organisations linked on that page have all been vetted to ensure that your money will go to the relief effort, but there is a link to the charities register at the top if you wanted to investigate any particular one before you committed to it.

[trebor]

I met a few Australians this summer touring the Fringe circuit here in Canada. To see how the situation has been impacting them (not to mention, like, all the Australians I don't know) is heartbreaking. I find it terrifying how some people in relatively geographically safe areas of the world also have such cavalier attitudes towards natural disasters and climate change. It's good to know there are people around the world willing and able to step up to the plate in times of crisis.

[Admin]

I am giving a short webinar on the subject on Lateral Thinking and Challenging Assumptions on Tuesday Jan 21 at 14.00 GMT. I will make some reference to lateral thinking puzzles in the course of the webinar. There is no charge. Why not join us? https://lnkd.in/gzZTF9y

[irishelk]

@Hobbsicle--I'm sorry for your pain, and rest assured I feel it too! I even had a puzzle about this a while back: how I intentionally stopped naming puzzles with song titles, and it didn't help at all.

@Admin--Unfortunately I had to miss it, but thank you for the recorded version! Looking forward to watching it when I have a minute.

[Earnest]

@Wiz i am really sorry for that. In Italy funds have been raised and it's much more convenient to contribute directly through them. I saw the images from the Satellite and what to say?! I just hope that authorities or rains will be quick. At least, I guess, the whole situation should keep the virus away...

[peter365]

Hi there,

My fellow moderators may have noticed a recent spike in new User emails , my spam countermesasure questions seem only to last a few months before the Bots start getting past them.

I've updated them this morning so that should stop them for a while. I've checked all of the emails and not a genuine user in sight from what I could see.

[Hobbsicle]

How's everybody doing in the wake of the virus and associated cancellations and quarantines? Here in Texas, events have shut down, school has been suspended in most places (I think?), a conference we were going to cancelled, my church isn't meeting again until April. I can't say there have been a lot of cases around here, but enough for all the preventative measures I suppose. And, of course, the broader travel bans.

I'd be especially curious how you're doing, Earnest, being in Italy.

[Balin]

Hanging in there. Same closures up in Connecticut. I'm OK right now, but I don't handle isolation very well so finding it difficult to stay home so much.

[WiZ]

Yesterday, we had the 1-year commemoration of the Christchurch Mosque Attack, our greatest tragedy in recent history, but it was relegated to page 8 of the papers due to a whole lot of wheat and chaff about the epidemic.

We've just had our first case outside of Auckland. Someone who went to get tested for COVID-19 but hopped on an international flight before the results came back turned out to be positive, and papers are reporting that he stayed in a hotel and visited a cafe in Wellington. Unlike South Korea, we aren't reporting on which hotel and cafe he went to - and this is a capital city with more cafes per capita than New York city. So everyone's very slightly nervous.

EDIT: Everyone's slightly more nervous, because a cruise ship that has stopped in Wellington as part of a grander tour has just had the remainder of its voyage cancelled, and has spilled its contents into the city seemingly without caveats, so we've got a troupe of unscreened foreigners wandering the city with no obvious provisions of care or places to stay, so that's fun.

We've been very big on Business Contingency Plans at the moment, so I may end up effectively running my own little correspondence school from home for people in the surveying and conveyancing field. If we learn some good lessons from this, it will help us with disaster resilience in case we have another major earthquake, or similar.

Anyone arriving in the country is now obliged to have a 14-day self-isolation period, as does anyone they've stayed with.

The main effects we've seen so far have been economic. Our official cash rate has been set to 0.25% for a year, which means insanely low interest rates - I suspect the reserve bank is banking on people sitting bored at home doing ludicrous amounts of online shopping. They certainly aren't going to be buying front-row seats to rugby games in a stadium of 50.000 - we'd lose Auckland in a week. I may end up paying off the mortgage slightly faster, at least.

But we're a country heavily reliant on tourism and our borders are effectively closed. They've cancelled the LOTR TV series due to COVID-19, so that's several hundred jobs gone. Many small businesses, mainly in the hospitality industry, are going to die. People aren't going to large-scale gatherings, so our sports industry is taking a huge hit. People losing jobs are losing their ability to pay the rent, which flows on to landlords, who will sell their rentals off to someone even more rapacious in a market already at crisis point.

I'm OK, though.

[trebor]

Yes, Earnest, how are you?

In central Canada, we’ve had both neighboring provinces (as well as others) shut down schools. Depending on the province, it’s a max gathering size of 150 - 250, but most things are being cancelled regardless of attendance. There are 14-day quarantines in place, for sick people and recent travelers.

A lot of my friend and industry co-workers are struggling and facing great uncertainty because we work in the performing arts. I’m at what would be the halfway point of a touring children’s theatre show, but with schools being shut down my contract has been suspended, possibly cancelled. I know many other people whose livelihoods are being threatened, and some landlords are rushing eviction notices so that tenants in jobs that can’t be done remotely can be evicted before legislation comes forward to protect them. It’s awful.

Anyway, here’s hoping the hardest hit countries recover and that the rest of us can get our ducks in a row to prevent it hitting as badly wherever we are. If nothing else this crisis has made it absolutely plain how much capitalism has failed us.

[peter365]

Ireland are taking a very strict line on the virus , all schools and colleges and childcare facilities are closed for at least two weeks but everyone expects that to be extended for a considerable period. In addition all pubs and restaurants have been asked to close making 50,000 people temporarily unemployed overnight. There's a strong rumour that a full lockdown of the country will be annouced this week meaning that only pharmacies and foodstores would be allowed to remain open. The stores will have an army presence outside to ensure order is maintained and the numbers of people entering is strictly monitored.

Both my parents are in their 80s so naturally I'm very worried about them and the sad fact is, that, based on government advice for the elderly to self isolate I can't go and visit them so I've no idea when I'll see them again.

Stay calm and stay safe my lateral friends, we'll get through it if everyone listens to what they're been told and refuses to let panic creep in.

Best of luck to you all.

[Earnest]

Hey guys,

so everything is fine for the moment on my side....still I live in one of the most dangerous regions. We have 1000 infected and we are literally barricaded in houses with no possibility to go outside (i.e. police arrests you if you cannot provide evidences of what you are declaring). We can just go to work and to buy essential goods.

My parents are both cardiopathic but they aree still working. Working is allowed only if very severe standards are met and only for certain types of industries. Of course everything is closed. I really really hope that your leaders understand the severity of the situation on time and act consequently much before than us.

Honestly this is a nightmare for the country. But we are also finding back our patriotism. We are more united against the common enemy and yes...hope for the best.

Hospitals are full and in my opinion if the contagion extends to the south of the country, choices will be made on human lives. The southern part of the country is definitely not prepared to face such a risk.

That said, my lateral friends, nothing is lost if we believe in ourselves. United humanity can face the virus. We are capable of unimaginable acts.

Best luck to everybody and let's fight the virus with some lateral thinking!

[WiZ]

The public reaction to the pandemic is playing out like a Lateral Thinking Puzzle.

How did a man eating bat soup in China lead to a shortage of toilet paper in the United States?

[Hobbsicle]

That puzzle probably won't make my year-end list. The solution isn't especially logical or satisfying.

[WiZ]

If you thought Albatross Soup was a stretch, wait til you hear Bat Soup!

[irishelk]

I'm sure I speak for everybody when I say my thoughts are with you, Earnest. Be safe. I wish I could do more than entertain you with amazing puzzles, but I'll at least attempt to do that. ^_^

My city has had a lot of cases for East Coast US, but that's not a lot globally speaking. True to our materialistic Northern Virginia culture, people are most worried about the supply of toilet paper and anti-viral soaps at the stores. Shopping to suppress panic. My biggest adjustment so far is having to play D&D via Skype, so we're doing okay.

[Earnest]

Thanks a lot guys. Lateral puzzles are very very helpful and the forum is really a great place to "detach from real life". By the way, hope that our experience can be useful also for your countries!!! We can defeat the virus!
I would say that supplies are not going to end...unless people believe so let's say.

Yes I am rediscovering Skype too...but you know as Italians we rather use it to make covid-aperitivo (i.e. appetizer with friends) or gym. Lot of our creativity is coming up xD.

Be safe and believe in human being!

[WiZ]

My focus has been a bit... divided... during lockdown, but I've gathered my wits enough to post some new puzzles. I hope you enjoy them.

[Hobbsicle]

I have expected to be more active on the forum due to a general lessening of the schedule, but it has been rather the opposite. My planned podcast launch also ended up on something of a hiatus due to being unable to meet people to record, as well as simply focusing on other areas, but I may be able to get back to it here soon.

[WiZ]

Couldn't help but notice that Paul posted a puzzle from The Futility Closet that was identical to thsi one of mine from last year, but it seems to have disappeared. Was it, in fact, the same puzzle? And if so, can you link me to the episode? I'd be keen to see how it played out (and who the contemptible scoundrel was that submitted that puzzle uncredited).

[Vagary]

Hey Guys n' Gals;

Been away from this board from ten years now; happy to see it's still around and thinking it's time to get back to puzzling. Hope everyone is healthy and attempting to stay that way.

Cheers

[Hobbsicle]

There was no such puzzle posted, I don't know what you're talking about *gaslight*.

In seriousness, though, I was wondering the same thing. I've listened to the last ten or so episodes, and didn't hear it on any of those, so it must have been further back than that.

[irishelk]

Interesting--I have been listening back through their catalogue but haven't run across that one yet. I'll let you know when I do. It does seem too original to be a case of covergent evolution (like my Muppets puzzle was with another F.C. puzzle!).

I did drop them a line a few weeks ago inviting them to check us out, but I'm sure they would ask permission before lifting one of ours directly.

[Enjay]

I think I remember hearing that one on the Futility Closet podcast too but can't remember when! They are definitely aware of the forum and have referenced it before - can't remember if they credited that puzzle specifically. They seem like very nice people and I've emailed them before in the past and had a response so I'm sure if you got in touch they'd be receptive!

[trebor]

Yeah, I’ve emailed to suggest a puzzle and comment on the podcast and stuff. They respond very quickly. I think it’s likely that more than one lateral puzzler in the world could come up with a good similar puzzle as long as the premise is simple enough, so I wouldn’t think they were lifting it. I think they actually credit each puzzle’s origin on the podcast as well as on the site.

[WiZ]

I have flicked them an e-mail as I couldn't find anything in the synopses, and, regrettably, don't have time to listen to their entire back catalogue in order to find this white whale.

[JenBurdoo]

Will definitely check out this podcast!

[WiZ]

So, I got a response from Greg. Apparently, they have never run that as a puzzle.

I'm washing my hands of this mystery, but if the puzzle shows up in the next edition of <Adjective> Lateral Thinking Puzzles, I expect a nod in the acknowledgements page

Greg sends his regards, BTW, and wonders what the best approach would be to solicit your approval to run a puzzle on the show? Do you prefer PMs? I know that the inbox and notifications are occasionally unreliable.

[Hobbsicle]

I feel a bit awkward now, but I am about to launch a different podcast also featuring lateral thinking puzzles. I think my format and style are different than Futility Closet, focused more on puzzles as a whole, so I don't think I will be competing with them, really (and mine is definitely in the "just for fun and as a creative outlet" category). And hey, what's wrong with more lateral podcasts?

I've now recorded a total of eight puzzles being solved, a few of them being from WiZ, who graciously helped me select some puzzles from his back catalog (one of them hasn't been shared previously on the forum). I've also got one from irishelk, one from Balin (I actually need to confirm your permission for that one; I feel like you gave me blanket permission a while back, but I may not remember correctly), and one of my own.

Generally, I am looking for shorter form puzzles, ones that would be likely to be solved within ten or fifteen posts here on this forum. If you've got one that you've thought about sharing on the forum but have thought, "nah, too easy for this crowd", consider sharing it with me, as it may be good for the podcast. That said, I'll be on the lookout for some other good ones that you guys share here. I'll get permission ahead of time, and you will be credited for any puzzles I use. Hopefully the Futility Closet hosts and I won't be scooping the same puzzles too often. Maybe I'll grab up that mysterious and elusive "man stops going to mass" puzzle...

[WiZ]

You won't be competing with FC for that last one, at least - Greg had to confirm with Sharon that they'd never run it, thus spoiling it for both of them and rendering it ineligible to appear on a future episode.

[Hobbsicle]

The first episode of the podcast is live on most podcast sources. Just look for "Brain Drop Puzzles". First episode features WiZ's excellent Circular Logic puzzle, although the solving part will take place next episode.

[WiZ]

I listened. I liked it. Just the right amount of patter, although next time consider spreading it between all 3 puzzles

[Hobbsicle]

Thanks, WiZ. On that matter, I'll try to scatter the chatter to make the latter patter curve flatter.

[WiZ]

Attaboy.

[trebor]

I listened as well. Although note to self: listen to it when you are at home and can write them down and work on the puzzles, not when you're out taking the dog for a walk! Nice podcast.

[Hobbsicle]

Thanks, although on that note, I realized I neglected to mention on the first episode that all the puzzles would be posted concurrently in readable form on the website, so you can easily go back to reference. Thanks for listening!

[irishelk]

Yay, congratulations! About to listen right now. And I'm not sure if I said before, but definitely blanket permission for all my puzzles.

As far as Futility Closet, I'm fine with using the PMs on here now because I do get an email notification when I get one. Not sure if everyone's set up for that, though.

[Hobbsicle]

Thanks! Your puzzle is coming in episode 3.

[Earnest]

I am sorry if I did not follow the entire topic and if I am redundant in asking this but, where can I find the podcasts?

[irishelk]

It's great! You have a very friendly radio demeanor.

I got it on Stitcher, Earnest, I'm sure it's on some other podcast apps too?

[GalFisk]

I found it on podcast republic. I enjoyed it and have now subscribed.

[Hobbsicle]

Thanks guys! Fun to have people I know-ish give it a listen, and I'm glad to share some of your excellent puzzles.

Earnest, as for the Brain Drop Podcast, you can find some links here, or you can also listen directly from the embedded player on that site. I believe you will find it on most podcast hosts, but I have to admit I don't know how it all works. I've directly submitted to only a handful of hosts (Apple, Spotify, Stitcher), but it seems the rest find the RSS feed somewhere, I'm guessing through Google podcasts or something.

We've also been discussing the Futility Closet podcast, which has lateral thinking puzzles as well as interesting tidbits of history. You can find that one here.

[WiZ]

I enjoyed episode two, and thought it very diplomatic of you to cut off the segment where the puzzle was solved live before we heard the solver's opinion of the puzzle!

[hominid]

Is there a way to stay logged in? On most sites there's a box you can check when you log in, so you don't have to log in again on the same device, but I don't see one on this site.

[Balin]

I don't think there is one.

[hominid]

That's a little annoying. Thanks.

[WiZ]

Great to see you back, Hominid. I still find myself occasionally lying awake at night wondering what the Indian Scrund was.

[hominid]

I actually do remember what the Indian scrund was; do you want me to tell you?

[emeraldink]

I don't think there is one.

The FAQ for the platform ( phpBB ) states that there is such an option. Since it is turned off for everybody in the forum, it must be an admin / site-wide setting.

Could one of the admins look through Maintenance --> User Preferences ( or whatever it is called on phpBB ) again, please?

Thanks.

From https://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtop ... p=13149365:
ACP > General tab > Load settings > Session length. Session length is a global setting and is therefore the same for all users of the board

[Balin]

I know I wasn't the target of the question, but yes, I'd like to know what the Indian scrund was.

[hominid]

Basically some people saw a list of the ten most populous countries in 1900 (on Sporcle IIRC), and the list didn't include India. The people thought that this was because India had a vastly lower population then relative to other countries, but in reality it's because it was included within the British Empire.

[Balin]

Ah. That's clever.

[hominid]

Thanks! This talk inspired me to look through my posts on the old boards. I came up with some interesting puzzles, although when I was 14-15 I had some obnoxious habits answering "aye" and "nay" instead of "yes" and "no".

[peter365]

Hi . can i just ask my fellow mods if they've been getting any new member emails of late.

[hominid]

What does "Caveat earlispoilor" actually mean?

[irishelk]

Haha, I share the experience of looking back on old puzzles with a mix of nostalgia and cringiness.

And I've always assumed that it means, "you might know this story, so don't $p0i1 right away." But I will defer to the WiZ on that one.

[hominid]

That's what I always assumed too. But I've never been sure.

[WiZ]

You are both correct. Apparently this was the first time I used the phrase. I should probably add that to the 'abbreviations' page, for as much as that could be called an abbreviation.

Thinking about spoiler warnings and general etiquette - it's interesting to note that the most recent 'user's guide' for the LTPF is from 2001 and exists only on a defunct former forum. I occasionally wonder what the appropriate response would be if someone hosted a puzzle without putting their name in the title, or hosted more than 3 at once , since they'd have no visibility of that being the way things are done around here™.

The new forum has allowed us to strike out some rules and add new ones - we should be able to use the s-word without compunction now that we can edit puzzle titles to add spoiler (see? I just said it!) tags. We've also got new practices which are strictly optional but still highly visible, such as puzzle source metadata, colour-coded answers and idiosyncratic spoiler tags. We don't have a recently solved section or a lateral limbo. We have entirely new genres of puzzle - Scrunds, Latventures, Versponses, OAATPs.

I get all ready to propose a new user's guide, and then realise that every new user who has joined since the forum migrated seems to be obeying the near-inaccessible code of conduct without any trouble whatsoever - which is more than could be said for some of the users on the old board...

[Hobbsicle]

Yeah, I do sort of wonder how many people look at all the jargon and move on. It wouldn't hurt to make things a bit more user-friendly with a decent guide.

Also, welcome back hominid and Doriana!

By the way, realized I never responded, WiZ, but Laura did enjoy your Circular Logic puzzle. I had tried two others on her first and they didn't work out so well (she got tripped up on some of the wording), so she was happy to get in a successful one that she also thought was clever.

[Enjay]

Wow, I remember the Indian scrund! If I remember the date I joined correctly, I've been on some version of the LTPF (on and off) for not far off half my life

You make an interesting point on people following unwritten etiquette Wiz - I went away from the board at some point after the migration and when I came back everyone was doing the "make a clever edit to your title to indicate solved" thing. I had no idea who started it or when but fell right into doing it myself without being told!

[GalFisk]

I think I was the first to edit the title (I remember that I came up with it on my own), but I only put SOLVED in caps. Someone else started with the variations.

[WiZ]

I think this is where the themed spoiler messages began.

I ran 3 puzzles called A Little Silly, A Lot Silly, and Incredibly Silly, and tagged them [A Little SOLVED], [A Lot SOLVED] and [Incredibly SOLVED], and the whole business snowballed from there.

[Doriana]

Hey puzzlers! The first object in my "Connections" puzzle has been discovered by GalFisk. I've posted a recap to make it easier for others to join.

[Hobbsicle]

There are plenty of current events that lend themselves well to lateral thinking puzzles, but ultimately aren't worth posting, as they would be quickly guessed.

A couple that I thought of yesterday:

Q: The Sahara desert as far as the eye can see in all directions. An American-made lighthouse stands in the middle of it.
A: There was a Saharan dust cloud that traveled the Atlantic and hit the Gulf Coast in Texas. Although the cloud obscured vision in all directions, there were lighthouses in the midst of it. (The same was true here in the Dallas area. Very "foggy" for a day.)

Q: Many masked killers walked into a building with weapons, but no one payed any mind. Why?
A: There was a gun show here in Fort Worth a couple of days ago (at least, I think it still went on, though it might have gotten cancelled with new recent restrictions). Many hunters came to buy, sell, and trade guns. Masks are a requirement.

Anyway, strange year. There are a couple of others based on current events that I might still run.

[Doriana]

Hi mods! I posted a new puzzle earlier today which didn't show up in the active puzzles section, so I thought something must have done wrong while posting. However, I accidentally posted it in the solved section. I then came up with another puzzle, so I have three active puzzles right now. Can one of the mods move the other puzzle (called Pandora's Box) to the active section once one of my current puzzles is solved? Thanks!

[WiZ]

Ah, the golden rule of why devising puzzles for a forum of enthusiasts is a nightmare:

• Succinct, strange scenario with succinct, logical answer
• Question and answer are best possible match
• Puzzle will not get solved within 5 posts
• Choose any two

Two good puzzles, which someone who doesn't know the tricks and tropes of lateral thinking inside and out would no doubt find very enjoyable.

(I thought everyone walked around with guns in Texas )

[Hobbsicle]

“ (I thought everyone walked around with guns in Texas )”

That’s true, I should have been even more succinct, with a single word solution: “Texas”. Now if you’ll pardon me, I’ve got to find my hat and my holster. I’m taking my trusty steed to the general store for some barbecue and sasparilla, and I’ve got to be prepared for bandits.

[WiZ]

Were you saying something about lazy stereotypes? Sorry, I had to stop the sheep from chewing on the hobbit again.

[Hobbsicle]

You should have been more careful with choosing your username. You can't slip anything past me, Gandalf!

[trebor]

If anyone's offended by lazy stereotypes, I'm sorry. Let's all just gather round a plate of poutine or maybe a bowl of maple syrup and just apologize, eh? Ya hosers.

[Balin]

Doriana - I've moved your puzzle to the active section.

Sorry I haven't logged on in a few days - been busy scarfing down oversized burgers and yelling at everyone who thinks they know more than I do. (Not many Connecticut stereotypes except the rich towns near New York, and I don't live in that part of the state, so let's go broader.)

[irishelk]

@Hobbs--I feel like I encounter strange situations worthy of a puzzle every day, only to remember that we're all going through the same surreality, meaning that A) other LTPFers don't want to hear about it and B) it'll get solved in three posts. Maybe someday...

And I think that by my area's stereotypes...I would write a critical thinkpiece about Texas gunshows, but I'm busy having avocado toast and bottle service while jogging in an ugly outfit with the Senator I'm having an affair with.

[AlbatrossLover]

Hi, everyone! New here, excited to be part of the forums.

[GalFisk]

Welcome! Great nickname.

[peter365]

HI Albatrosslover and welcome to the forum (cool name by the way).

Albatrosslover had some difficulty registering and I didn't get an email notification of the registration. Can I ask if my fellow moderators have been getting these emails ?

I've amended the anti-bot questions this morning but i'm still not receiving confirmation mails.

[WiZ]

Ah, the albatross - the state bird of Lateralia. It's on our crest, but there's no crest on it.

Lateralia used to have a national anthem, too, but we had to scrap it. People kept dying after the music stopped.

[hominid]

Welcome!

[irishelk]

Welcome A.L.!

My friend attempted to join about a month ago and says he never got approval. He can't remember his proposed username at this point , but yeah, something's up.

[WiZ]

I've fallen a bit behind on Brain Drop, I must confess.

I'm listening to Hobbsicle solve the Sherwood Forest puzzle and having a quiet snort-laugh at how things unfold after the 'Would it still work if the forest was called Purewood Forest?' exchange.

[peter365]

Hi all , sorry for my inactivity on the forum of late but work in the Covid world has been crazy . I’m
aware of the issues with new members but I’m at a loss to work out how to fix it , the email to mods to approve new members isn’t working . Does anyone have any ideas ? If any newbie has registered and not been approved they can mail
me directly at mcmahonpeter7@gmail.com and I’ll approve them.

In other news I’m 50 years old today . I was a sprightly 36 when I joined our beloved forum .Long live the ltpf .

[Doriana]

Happy birthday, Peter!

[WiZ]

lá breithe shona duit, Peter!

And commendations on your staying power.14 years can't be too far off the average life expectancy in the world of lateral puzzles, what with all that deadly ice, fields full of bodies and an alarmingly high rate of suicides due to soup and wooden rulers.

[Doriana]

GalFisk did an amazing job solving three of my puzzles tonight!

I decided to only post one new puzzle, and I think this will be the last one until November or so. I'm on the home stretch of my PhD and I really need to focus on thesis writing, but it's always nice to come back to the LTPF. I know I've disappeared from the forum without a warning in the past, so I thought I'd give you all a heads up this time.

[GalFisk]

Thanks for the warning and good luck on your PhD! I enjoyed doing these puzzles with you in real time. When the US LTPFers are most active I'm sleeping, so I don't often get to do puzzles this way.

[Doriana]

Thanks! Yes, I also really enjoy those back-and-forth sessions. I remember some with WiZ, probably on the old forum, when I was a college kid with a messed up sleep pattern - I would sometimes stay up until 3 am or so, which is early afternoon in New Zealand

[Hobbsicle]

Happy birthday, Peter! Better post us a puzzle in celebration.

WiZ: Yes, of all the names to have tried to tweak during that solve, I went with that one. That was a good puzzle, though, had some good feedback on that one. A handful of people solved it without clues, I believe, which makes me feel even better about how long it took me.

Having fun with the podcast, but it sure keeps me busy. At least it's with important things, and not silly things like Doriana's PhD. (*wink* best of luck, Doriana!) I keep hopping on wanting to engage more here on the forum, but it's tough when I'm always a bit further behind than I want to be. Weeks are shorter than they used to be. Hopefully I can get ahead, and will ask more questions on here soon.

[trebor]

Happy belated, Peter!

Doriana, I'll miss you around these parts until you rejoin. Before I joined up I used to read the old forum regularly and even then I enjoyed your posts. I hope you come back with some good puzzles in November!

[WiZ]

Anyone else start naming their protagonists then realise they've already used that name in another puzzle?

I think 'A man' sounds too impersonal, so I go with Alex, then realise that Alex was the sushi model, so I go with Adam, then realise he was the child disproving the existence of the tooth fairy, and so... Andrew? No, he was the one making money hanging around couples in their most intimate moments. Argh!

[Balin]

I've already named two puzzle protagonists Inez and not notice until someone asked if they were related as one of the questions. Whoops.

[Doriana]

I have a couple of favourite names that always come to mind when I post a new puzzle and I'm sure I've accidentally reused some of them. As a researcher in developmental psychology and a college instructor, I have access to lists and databases full of names that I could draw inspiration from, reflecting what people named their kids 20 years ago and what people are naming their kids now, but instead it's just dozens of "Hannah (H/A/F)"s starring in my puzzles. Or one Hannah (H/A/F) who just happens to lead an interesting life.

[irishelk]

I did the exact same thing, Balin, but with "Landon." Where the hell did I get "Landon" from? XD