# 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:** 41
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/801 "2019-12-03T00:47:25Z")
\*\*Les paid $2000 at an auction for an item even though he knew most of what made it valuable was fake. What is it and why did he pay so much? \*\* > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Was Les a counterfeiter? > > Did he need to recover the item so he wouldn’t be found out? > > Was it a painting? > > A statue? > > A vehicle? > > An activity? No to all. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/802 "2019-12-03T02:02:16Z")
Currency? Plates to make currency? ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/803 "2019-12-03T02:14:24Z")
> [@Personal](#): > > Currency? > Plates to make currency? 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:** [December 3, 2019, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/804 "2019-12-03T03:00:20Z")
Would Les have paid a high price for it were it not mostly fake? Is Les counting on someone else not knowing that it’s mostly fake? Was it known to all of the people bidding on it that it was mostly fake? Is it a copy of some original that isn’t fake? Is it a piece of artwork? Is it a historical artifact (or replica of one)? Is it a paleontological artifact (or replica of one)? Is it something utilitarian? Did Les expect to profit from his purchase of it? ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/805 "2019-12-03T03:00:22Z")
Did he intend to buy the item and sell it for a profit ? Did he have an emotional attachment to or feelings for the item ? Did he have an emotional repulsion to the item ? Did he buy the item to destroy it ? Is the item an antique or a replica ? ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/806 "2019-12-03T03:04:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Would Les have paid a high price for it were it not mostly fake? > > YES (I think so…speculative) > > Is Les counting on someone else not knowing that it’s mostly fake? > > NO > > Was it known to all of the people bidding on it that it was mostly fake? > > YES > > Is it a copy of some original that isn’t fake? > > I need this question rephrased or clarified. > > Is it a piece of artwork? > > NO > > Is it a historical artifact (or replica of one)? > > NO > > Is it a paleontological artifact (or replica of one)? > > NO > > Is it something utilitarian? > > NO > > Did Les expect to profit from his purchase of it? > > NO (I don’t think so…speculative) > [@am77494](#): > > Did he intend to buy the item and sell it for a profit ? > > NO (I don’t think so…speculative) > Did he have an emotional attachment to or feelings for the item ? > > Probably (I don’t know…speculative) > > Did he have an emotional repulsion to the item ? > > NO > > Did he buy the item to destroy it ? > > NO > > Is the item an antique or a replica ? > > NO kk ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/807 "2019-12-03T06:08:51Z")
Is it mostly fake because there is at least one in existence not mostly fake? Is it fake because it was at some point it was presented as real to fool someone? Or is fake in the same way mannequin is a fake person but everyone knows it is not a real person? Is it fake in the way the Piltdown Man was fake or the alien autopsy was fake? Would the item be of value to a lot of people not at the auction? Would the average Joe know it is mostly fake? Was the value of the item that it was mostly fake? Was the value of the item in the part(s) not fake? Is Les a human rational adult? Could Les sell the item a month or two later and expect to get about what he paid for it? Did Les buy it because he is a collector?I If any of the not fake part living? ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/808 "2019-12-03T06:36:25Z")
The item, was it: An object? An animal? A human? An idea? A concept? A plant? Made mostly of metal? Made mostly of wood? Made mostly of plastic? Bigger than an average person? About as big as an average person? Smaller than an average person? ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/809 "2019-12-03T15:07:38Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Is it mostly fake because there is at least one in existence not mostly fake? > > YES > > Is it fake because it was at some point it was presented as real to fool someone? > > YES > > Or is fake in the same way mannequin is a fake person but everyone knows it is not a real person? > > NO > > Is it fake in the way the Piltdown Man was fake or the alien autopsy was fake? > > NO (not really) > > Would the item be of value to a lot of people not at the auction? > > YES > > Would the average Joe know it is mostly fake? > > NO > > Was the value of the item that it was mostly fake? > > YES > > Was the value of the item in the part(s) not fake? > > YES(less so, but yes) > > Is Les a human rational adult? > > YES > > Could Les sell the item a month or two later and expect to get about what he paid for it? > > YES > > Did Les buy it because he is a collector? > > YES(I think so) > > If any of the not fake part living? > > NO > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > The item, was it: > > An object? > > YES > > An animal? > > NO > > A human? > > NO > > An idea? > > NO > > A concept? > > NO > > A plant? > > NO > > Made mostly of metal? > > NO > > Made mostly of wood? > > NO > > Made mostly of plastic? > > NO > > Bigger than an average person? > > NO > > About as big as an average person? > > NO > > Smaller than an average person? > > YES kk ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/810 "2019-12-03T15:26:26Z")
Is the fake value Historical? Religious? The monetary value of the material itself? Amusing? Kitschy? Related to a famous person? Animal? Was the item made in the 21st century? Was the item made in X century (assuming I am going to type them all, please fill in X)? If you posted the name of the item not in the context of this thread, would we know what it is? Was it used in movies, tv, or theater? Does special care need to be used to preserve the item? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/811 "2019-12-03T15:34:34Z")
Did the fake object resemble: - precious metal ? - other metal ? - gemstone(s) ? - paper ? - canvas ? - wood ? Was it created by a famous forger? [Van Meegeren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_van_Meegeren)? ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/812 "2019-12-03T16:36:35Z")
Is it made of stone? Is it jewelry? Was it’s original function decorative? Is it something you could hold in your hand? ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/813 "2019-12-03T19:23:05Z")
\*\*Les paid $2000 at an auction for an item even though he knew most of what made it valuable was fake. What is it and why did he pay so much? \*\* > [@Biotop](#): > > Is the fake value > > Historical? > > KIND OF? (not really, I think) > > Religious? > > NO > > The monetary value of the material itself? > > NO > > Amusing? > > YES > > Kitschy? > > NO > > Related to a famous person? Animal? > > RELATED TO A FAMOUS PERSON > > Was the item made in the 21st century? > > NO > > Was the item made in X century (assuming I am going to type them all, please fill in X)? > > 20th Century > > If you posted the name of the item not in the context of this thread, would we know what it is? > > NO > > Was it used in movies, tv, or theater? > > NO > > Does special care need to be used to preserve the item? > > YES > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Did the fake object resemble: > > - precious metal ? > - other metal ? > - gemstone(s) ? > - paper ? > - canvas ? > - wood ? > > IT IS PAPER(not resembling, but is paper) > > Was it created by a famous forger? > > YES, though person not famous as a forger > > [Van Meegeren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_van_Meegeren)? > > NO > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Is it made of stone? NO > > Is it jewelry? NO > > Was it’s original function decorative? NO > > Is it something you could hold in your hand? YES ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/814 "2019-12-03T19:31:20Z")
Is the famous creator an artist? An actor/actress? Chef? Still alive? ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/815 "2019-12-03T19:37:43Z")
Is it a book? A manuscript? Was it the fake Hitler diaries? ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/816 "2019-12-03T21:00:52Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Is the famous creator an artist? > > Yes(of a type, not a painter) > > An actor/actress? > > NO > > Chef? > > NO > > Still alive? > > NO > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Is it a book? > > A manuscript? > > Was it the fake Hitler diaries? NO to everything. ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/817 "2019-12-03T21:08:39Z")
Does the paper bear writing on it? Does the paper bear a picture on it? Does the paper bear any sort of markings on it? Is there anything about the paper that would be remarkable if it didn’t have markings on it? ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/818 "2019-12-03T21:56:57Z")
Is it a blueprint? A map? Scrolls? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/819 "2019-12-03T22:02:50Z")
Is the paper a fake banknote? ---
**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:** [December 3, 2019, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/820 "2019-12-03T22:53:01Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Does the paper bear writing on it? > > YES > > Does the paper bear a picture on it? > > YES > > Does the paper bear any sort of markings on it? > > YES > > Is there anything about the paper that would be remarkable if it didn’t have markings on it? > > NO (I am going with my definition of markings, which I hope is the same as yours. Care to define or clarify?) > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Is it a blueprint? > > A map? > > Scrolls? NO to everything here > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is the paper a fake banknote? NO [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=40) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=42)