# ACM's 20 Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 16, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927 "2010-07-16T16:25:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/101 "2010-07-23T13:08:32Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > I’m a bit confused as to how something that isn’t a physical object could make a sound. I’m confused as to how it could make a sound but can’t be measured. The whole thing is contradictory. ETA: Although the OP might be thinking of “measured” in the physical sense, but surely noise can be measured. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/102 "2010-07-23T13:18:24Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > I’m a bit confused as to how something that isn’t a physical object could make a sound. :sigh: I think my answers are correct, but you can yell at me if you disagree when the reveal comes. > [@Leaffan](#): > > I’m confused as to how it could make a sound but can’t be measured. The whole thing is contradictory. I guess if you could somehow measure the volume of the sound it makes, but I really don’t think that is what the question was asking. I think answering yes to it being measured would be misleading, though. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/103 "2010-07-23T13:22:26Z")
Is it electro-magnetic? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/104 "2010-07-23T13:43:52Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Is it electro-magnetic? Uh, I’m saying “No”, but I won’t count it because I don’t understand electromagnetism enough to give a authoritative answer. I’ve changed the “measured” question to iffy since I guess aspects of it can be measured. I just didn’t think of it being measured when I answered. **1. It’s not alive. 2. It’s man-made. 3. It can not be accurately compared to a microwave in terms of size. 4. It can not be used to warm food.** **5. You would find it indoors.** **6. It’s not a physical object. 7. It is not a work of art. 8. It does not exist in a gaseous state.** **9. It makes a sound(iffy)** **10. It can not be measured(iffy)** **11. It is not an abstract concept. 12. It is not a liquid. 13. It is worth a lot of money** \*\*14. It’s not hot. 15. It’s not supernatural. \*\* **16. It would(could) provide pleasure.** \*\*17. It is not more likely to be made by a man than a woman. \*\ ***Bonus - I don’t think it’s electromagnetic, but if you tell me everything on Earth is, then it must be.** ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/105 "2010-07-23T14:13:42Z")
I was just getting at whether it fell into the category of electricity, radio waves, light, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/106 "2010-07-23T14:15:16Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I think my answers are correct, but you can yell at me if you disagree when the reveal comes. I’m not yelling, just confused. I also don’t get how it can be both man-made and not a physical object. As a result I’m stuck on another question to ask. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/107 "2010-07-23T14:25:15Z")
I’d say “music” (only makes a sound when played), except that is a work of art. Still puzzled. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/108 "2010-07-23T14:28:23Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > I’d say “music” (only makes a sound when played), except that is a work of art. Still puzzled. That was what I was thinking of when I asked the “work of art” question. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/109 "2010-07-23T14:44:43Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > That was what I was thinking of when I asked the “work of art” question. Ditto. I was going to say a song, but that would be a work of art. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/110 "2010-07-23T14:49:07Z")
Trying to think of things that are man-made but not physical objects. War (the indoor variety, such as the war of 1812). A speech (not typically worth a lot of money). A story (art). A ghost (supernatural). I think I should give up. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/111 "2010-07-23T15:06:10Z")
I would prefer to take the final questions, but I’m starting to get worried people are going to be mad at me. I’ll just end it if everyone wants to quit. I can tell you this. I did not choose something massively obscure. The thing I picked is common and well known. I will say I’m sorry if you think my answers are in any way wrong, but I think I answered correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/112 "2010-07-23T15:08:46Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > I’m not yelling, just confused. I also don’t get how it can be both man-made and not a physical object. As a result I’m stuck on another question to ask. I know you aren’t yelling. I juts didn’t like Leaffan’s tone toward me. I wasn’t trying to take the fun out of it. I thought my choice was more obvious than “dentures”, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/113 "2010-07-23T15:10:29Z")
Don’t worry, it’s only game Mahaloth. I vote to end it now, as I can’t even think of a useful question at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/114 "2010-07-23T15:10:39Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I know you aren’t yelling. I juts didn’t like Leaffan’s tone toward me. I wasn’t trying to take the fun out of it. I thought my choice was more obvious than “dentures”, actually. Hey man. Sorry for the tone. I’m just as confused as others. I’ll probably slap myself once it’s revealed. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/115 "2010-07-23T15:23:23Z")
How about this. I’ll ask the next question? So, it isn’t a physical object. Hmmm… Does it involve the internet somehow? Yes. **1. It’s not alive. 2. It’s man-made. 3. It can not be accurately compared to a microwave in terms of size. 4. It can not be used to warm food.** **5. You would find it indoors.** **6. It’s not a physical object. 7. It is not a work of art. 8. It does not exist in a gaseous state.** **9. It makes a sound(iffy)** **10. It can not be measured(iffy)** **11. It is not an abstract concept. 12. It is not a liquid. 13. It is worth a lot of money** \*\*14. It’s not hot. 15. It’s not supernatural. \*\* **16. It would(could) provide pleasure.** \*\*17. It is not more likely to be made by a man than a woman. **[COLOR=“Blue”]18. It involves the internet.** [/COLOR]\*\ ***Bonus - I don’t think it’s electromagnetic, but if you tell me everything on Earth is, then it must be.** ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/116 "2010-07-23T15:27:09Z")
Is it written in code? ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/117 "2010-07-23T15:27:27Z")
Now we’re getting somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/118 "2010-07-23T16:39:24Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > Is it written in code? Yes. **1. It’s not alive. 2. It’s man-made. 3. It can not be accurately compared to a microwave in terms of size. 4. It can not be used to warm food.** **5. You would find it indoors.** **6. It’s not a physical object. 7. It is not a work of art. 8. It does not exist in a gaseous state.** **9. It makes a sound(iffy)** **10. It can not be measured(iffy)** **11. It is not an abstract concept. 12. It is not a liquid. 13. It is worth a lot of money** \*\*14. It’s not hot. 15. It’s not supernatural. \*\* **16. It would(could) provide pleasure.** \*\*17. It is not more likely to be made by a man than a woman. **[COLOR=“Blue”]18. It involves the internet. 19. It is written in code.** [/COLOR]\*\ ***Bonus - I don’t think it’s electromagnetic, but if you tell me everything on Earth is, then it must be.** ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/119 "2010-07-23T16:54:23Z")
Is it a website? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927/120 "2010-07-23T17:18:06Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > Is it a website? Yes. **1. It’s not alive. 2. It’s man-made. 3. It can not be accurately compared to a microwave in terms of size. 4. It can not be used to warm food.** **5. You would find it indoors.** **6. It’s not a physical object. 7. It is not a work of art. 8. It does not exist in a gaseous state.** **9. It makes a sound(iffy)** **10. It can not be measured(iffy)** **11. It is not an abstract concept. 12. It is not a liquid. 13. It is worth a lot of money** \*\*14. It’s not hot. 15. It’s not supernatural. \*\* **16. It would(could) provide pleasure.** \*\*17. It is not more likely to be made by a man than a woman. \*\*[COLOR=“Blue”]18. It involves the internet. 19. It is written in code. 20. It is a website. \*\* [/COLOR]\*\ ***Bonus - I don’t think it’s electromagnetic, but if you tell me everything on Earth is, then it must be.** OK. Three guesses! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acms-20-questions/546927.md?page=7)