# 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:** 2
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/21 "2019-10-24T18:49:40Z")
Does he reflect light off the gold bricks to “blind” the camera, perhaps from a headlamp he’s already wearing? ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/22 "2019-10-24T19:17:02Z")
> [@biotop](#): > > is it additional “item”? Or “items” ? Item > > was the item(s) part of the thief’s clothing? No > was the item(s) carried in the thief’s pocket? No > was the item(s) an accessory like a watch or earrings? No > is the sex of the thief relevant? No > was the item(s) brought along to help with the crime? No > does the location of the crime matter? No > does it matter that gold bricks were being stolen as opposed to something else heavy? No > [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > guess- he’s wearing a welder’s mask on his head and he quickly flicks it down by nodding his head. no > [@telemark](#): > > does he reflect light off the gold bricks to “blind” the camera, perhaps from a headlamp he’s already wearing? no ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/23 "2019-10-24T19:26:43Z")
Does it involve shining light at the camera? Like a headlamp? Holding a flashlight in his mouth? Does it involve directing any other beam or electronic interference at the camera? Does he turn off the lights? ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/24 "2019-10-24T19:29:11Z")
You already said that the gold bars were still visible, but you also said that the disguise would not be effective against a human, only against the camera. So… Would the gold bars be visible _to the camera_? Is the position of the camera relevant? Would a human watching the camera feed be able to tell that a person (perhaps unidentified) was stealing valuables? Would a human watching the camera feed be able to identify the person seen by the camera (albeit perhaps not knowing that that person was doing anything wrong)? Was there any human watching the camera feed live? Would any human be expected to watch a recording of the camera feed, in the ordinary course of affairs? Would any human be expected to watch a recording of the camera feed, once it is known that there was a theft? Was the camera placed where it was for the purpose of stopping theft? ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/25 "2019-10-24T19:31:56Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > Does it involve shining light at the camera? > Like a headlamp? > Holding a flashlight in his mouth? > > Does it involve directing any other beam or electronic interference at the camera? > > Does he turn off the lights? No to all. > [@Chronos](#): > > You already said that the gold bars were still visible, but you also said that the disguise would not be effective against a human, only against the camera. So… > > Would the gold bars be visible _to the camera_? YES > Is the position of the camera relevant? PROBABLY > Would a human watching the camera feed be able to tell that a person (perhaps unidentified) was stealing valuables? YES > Would a human watching the camera feed be able to identify the person seen by the camera (albeit perhaps not knowing that that person was doing anything wrong)? NO > Was there any human watching the camera feed live? NO > Would any human be expected to watch a recording of the camera feed, in the ordinary course of affairs? NO PROBABLY NOT > Would any human be expected to watch a recording of the camera feed, once it is known that there was a theft? YES > Was the camera placed where it was for the purpose of stopping theft? YES I think that answers everything. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/26 "2019-10-24T22:09:56Z")
Is the item: A hat A scarf Glasses Jacket Hood An electronic device Paper or cardboard Cloth Plastic Metal Wood Glass Small enough to fit in a pocket Did the device: Change his appearance as recorded by the camera Prevent the camera from properly recording the scene Block the camera’s “view” of his face ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/27 "2019-10-24T22:26:27Z")
Would someone who wasn’t a thief carry this item around? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/28 "2019-10-24T22:51:48Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > \*\*A burglar is lifting two bars of gold, each so heavy he can not lift them above his waist. On the way out, he sees a security camera. With some very quick thinking, he disguises himself without putting down the gold bars. How? > \*\* Did the burglar ever pick up the gold bars? ETA: Was the burglar carrying the bars “on the way out”? ~Max ---
**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:** [October 24, 2019, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/29 "2019-10-24T23:57:59Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > Is the item: > > A hat - NO > A scarf - NO > Glasses - NO > Jacket - NO > Hood - NO > > An electronic device - NO > Paper or cardboard - NO > Cloth - NO > Plastic - NO > Metal - NO > Wood - NO > Glass - NO > > Small enough to fit in a pocket - YES > > Did the device: > > Change his appearance as recorded by the camera - NO(the recording was not affected) > Prevent the camera from properly recording the scene - NO > Block the camera’s “view” of his face - YES > [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Would someone who wasn’t a thief carry this item around? YES > [@Max\_S](#): > > Did the burglar ever pick up the gold bars? > ETA: Was the burglar carrying the bars “on the way out”? > > ~Max YES to both ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/30 "2019-10-25T00:07:14Z")
Is the burglar carrying the bars with both hands? Is the burglar a human? Is the burglar stealing the gold bars? ~Max ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/31 "2019-10-25T01:05:07Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > Is the burglar carrying the bars with both hands? > Is the burglar a human? > Is the burglar stealing the gold bars? YES to everything. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/32 "2019-10-25T01:18:09Z")
Chewing gum bubble? ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/33 "2019-10-25T01:38:13Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Chewing gum bubble? Winner! He was chewing gum and when he saw the camera, he blew a big bubble that blocked his face from view. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/34 "2019-10-25T01:39:16Z")
I have another, but if any of you have one, please go ahead. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/35 "2019-10-25T01:40:56Z")
I got nothing. Go ahead. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/36 "2019-10-25T01:46:37Z")
\*\*Josh bought a cigar for five cents, which he used a nickel to pay for. He was arrested for doing so(though was never convicted). What happened? \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/37 "2019-10-25T02:01:40Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > \*\*Josh bought a cigar for five cents, which he used a nickel to pay for. He was arrested for doing so(though was never convicted). What happened? > \*\* Does Josh look like a kid? Is the cigar from another country? ETA: Is the nickel a coin worth five cents? Is the cigar a tobacco cigar? ETA: Does arrested mean taken into custody by law enforcement? ~Max ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/38 "2019-10-25T02:12:34Z")
scratch, trying again. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2019, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/39 "2019-10-25T02:13:43Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > Does Josh look like a kid? NO > Is the cigar from another country? IRRELEVANT > > ETA: Is the nickel a coin worth five cents? YES > Is the cigar a tobacco cigar? YES > > ETA: Does arrested mean taken into custody by law enforcement? YES > > ~Max I totally misread your last Q. Now I get it. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/40 "2019-10-25T02:34:31Z")
Did the cigar only cost five cents? Did Josh forget to pay taxes? Did Josh buy the cigar from a person authorized to sell cigars? ~Max [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=3)