# Lateral Thinking Puzzles. Let's do it again! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 23, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193 "2019-10-23T21:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 120
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2381 "2020-03-02T18:26:58Z")
Does the pole have a particular function, beyond making it possible to be climbed? Does it facilitate wiring of some kind? Carry a light? Part of an Acrobat act? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2382 "2020-03-02T18:31:27Z")
Military? ---
**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:** [March 2, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2383 "2020-03-02T20:28:02Z")
> [@folly](#): > > are they carrying something relevant up with them to the top of the pole? no > [@isosleepy](#): > > does the pole have a particular function, beyond making it possible to be climbed? > > No > > does it facilitate wiring of some kind? Carry a light? Part of an acrobat act? > > No > [@biotop](#): > > military? yes ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2384 "2020-03-02T20:33:52Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I guess closer to “for its own accord”, though I may not be understanding that phrase the same way as you. _There is a purpose to it_, but it does not lead to a high up location they need to reach(like a shelf in a library or something). Is the climbing of the pole the purpose of the act, or does the climbing facilitate a different act? Is the purpose to put a person at the top of the pole for a period of time? Is there more than one pole? Is the pole historic? ---
**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:** [March 2, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2385 "2020-03-02T20:35:57Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Is the climbing of the pole the purpose of the act, or does the climbing facilitate a different act? > > Pretty much the climbing. Mostly. > > Is the purpose to put a person at the top of the pole for a period of time? > > YES > > Is there more than one pole? > > YES > > Is the pole historic? > > NO kk ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2386 "2020-03-02T21:44:15Z")
Is climbing the pole part of bootcamp or other military training? ---
**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:** [March 2, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2387 "2020-03-02T22:14:16Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > Is climbing the pole part of bootcamp or other military training? NO ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2388 "2020-03-03T00:13:13Z")
Is the purpose of putting someone on top of the pole so that someone else can see them up there? ---
**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:** [March 3, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2389 "2020-03-03T00:20:23Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Is the purpose of putting someone on top of the pole so that someone else can see them up there? NO ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2390 "2020-03-03T01:13:41Z")
Is the purpose of the pole to put the men above some sort of danger on the ground? If a giant were to come along and lift the men to the top of the pole (or they otherwise somehow reached the top without climbing), would that serve the same purpose? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2391 "2020-03-03T01:14:15Z")
Is the purpose of the pole to put the men above some sort of danger on the ground? If a giant were to come along and lift the men to the top of the pole (or they otherwise somehow reached the top without climbing), would that serve the same purpose? ---
**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:** [March 3, 2020, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2392 "2020-03-03T01:35:21Z")
\*\*Liam and his friends/colleagues have a very odd daily routine. They climb a pole to the top every day, wait awhile, then climb back down and go about their business. Why is this? \*\* > [@Chronos](#): > > Is the purpose of the pole to put the men above some sort of danger on the ground? > > NO > > If a giant were to come along and lift the men to the top of the pole (or they otherwise somehow reached the top without climbing), would that serve the same purpose? > > YES - and I love this question. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2393 "2020-03-03T04:00:41Z")
Is there anything in particular the men do while they’re at the top of the pole? Are they waiting for something to happen at the top of the pole before they come down? Are they waiting for something to happen at the bottom of the pole before they come down? Are they waiting for something to happen in another nearby location before they come down? Are they waiting for something to happen far away before they come down? Does it matter at what time of day they do their pole-climbing (such as 6 AM or noon)? Does it matter at what time of their own daily schedule they do their pole climbing (such as right after they wake up, or right before lunchtime)? Would they ever have reason to climb the pole multiple times in a day? ---
**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:** [March 3, 2020, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2394 "2020-03-03T12:41:34Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is there anything in particular the men do while they’re at the top of the pole? > > YES, but also NO(this is a tough one) > > Are they waiting for something to happen at the top of the pole before they come down? > > NO(with a drop of yes…) > > Are they waiting for something to happen at the bottom of the pole before they come down? > > NO > > Are they waiting for something to happen in another nearby location before they come down? > > NO > > Are they waiting for something to happen far away before they come down? > > NO > > Does it matter at what time of day they do their pole-climbing (such as 6 AM or noon)? > > NO - daytime, though, I think. > > Does it matter at what time of their own daily schedule they do their pole climbing (such as right after they wake up, or right before lunchtime)? > > NO > > Would they ever have reason to climb the pole multiple times in a day? > > MAYBE? I’m laughing and enjoying answering all of these. I know, it’s weird, but then it wouldn’t be a lateral puzzle without being weird, right? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2395 "2020-03-03T13:18:30Z")
Do Liam and his friends all climb up the poles at the same time? Only one person on a pole at one time? Are the poles made of wood? Does the material they are made of matter? Are the poles fixed in place? Is the pole climbing seasonal? ---
**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:** [March 3, 2020, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2396 "2020-03-03T13:29:10Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Do Liam and his friends all climb up the poles at the same time? Only one person on a pole at one time? > > IRRELEVANT. I am not sure, but I picture them doing it at the same time daily. However, it would be irrelevant if they did or did not. > > Are the poles made of wood? Does the material they are made of matter? > > IRRELEVANT > > Are the poles fixed in place? > > Enough to be able to climb. Otherwise, irrelevant. > > Is the pole climbing seasonal? > > NO Some good questions lately. I think just one or two bullseye-questions will really push towards an answer. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2397 "2020-03-03T13:56:13Z")
In regards to the ‘particular’ thing the men do at the top of the pole (which is both yes and no). Does each climber do something at the top of the pole? Do they all do the same thing or different things? Are there non-climbers participating in this activity? Do the climbers interact with each other while on the poles? ---
**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:** [March 3, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2398 "2020-03-03T14:49:54Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > In regards to the ‘particular’ thing the men do at the top of the pole (which is both yes and no). > > Does each climber do something at the top of the pole? > > THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO > > Do they all do the same thing or different things? > > SAME > > Are there non-climbers participating in this activity? > > NO > > Do the climbers interact with each other while on the poles? > > NO kk ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2399 "2020-03-03T15:29:28Z")
Are there added conditions that make the climb more challenging? Are Liam and friends members of some kind of club? Are Liam and friends partially or fully naked? Is teamwork an objective? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2400 "2020-03-03T19:15:43Z")
Let me see if I can summarize: \*There is something that Liam and colleagues are supposed to do on a regular basis (approximately daily). \*This something is related to the military in some way. \*This something should be done at a height above the ground. \*For this purpose, easily-climbed poles were erected, so that Liam and colleagues could reach the necessary height. \*The requirement for height does not involve seeing things or being seen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=119) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=121)