# 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:** 48
**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 9, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/941 "2019-12-09T17:17:59Z")
Did Mike’s loss tell other people what not to do? ---
**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 9, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/942 "2019-12-09T20:31:05Z")
> [@biotop](#): > > deathpool? no > [@go\_arachnid\_laser](#): > > does it always happen at the same time of year? **yes** > if so, summer? > Winter? > Fall? > Spring? > > \*\*i think it happens all year. > \*\* > [@fretful porpentine](#): > > is the “game” part of a research project of some sort? > > Yes > > do people make money merely by participating, regardless of whether they win? > > Yes > > does the amount of money they make depend on how successful they are at the “game”? > > No > [@go\_arachnid\_laser](#): > > did mike’s loss tell other people what not to do? no ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/943 "2019-12-09T22:50:23Z")
Is the following a reasonable description of the situation (Answer yes or no for each sentence): Someone is doing research that involves human subjects and, to recruit volunteers, offers to pay them to participate. Mike is one of these volunteers. Part of what participants are asked to do is predict something. Mike made a prediction that proved inaccurate. This research is beneficial to a lot of people. ---
**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 9, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/944 "2019-12-09T23:24:44Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Is the following a reasonable description of the situation (Answer yes or no for each sentence): > > Someone is doing research that involves human subjects and, to recruit volunteers, offers to pay them to participate. > > YES > > Mike is one of these volunteers. > > YES > > Part of what participants are asked to do is predict something. > > NO(assuming participants means volunteers or people in the game) > > Mike made a prediction that proved inaccurate. > > NO > > This research is beneficial to a lot of people. > > YES kk ---
**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:** [December 10, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/945 "2019-12-10T00:51:01Z")
Is he trying to do something better than a group of experts, or A group of professionals, or A group that has been designated, like all people otherwise doing \_\_\_\_. ---
**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 10, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/946 "2019-12-10T01:39:39Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > Is he trying to do something better than a group of experts, or > > A group of professionals, or > > A group that has been designated, like all people otherwise doing \_\_\_\_. NO ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/947 "2019-12-10T02:36:49Z")
So, predictions are NOT made by the people in the game, correct? Are they made by the researchers? Would it be helpful to know what general subject field the researchers are studying? If yes: Economics? Psychology? Health / medicine? Politics / government? Mathematics? Arts / humanities? Social science not mentioned above? Natural science not mentioned above? Other? ---
**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 10, 2019, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/948 "2019-12-10T03:24:54Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > So, predictions are NOT made by the people in the game, correct? > > \*\*Not the players like Mike. \*\*However, I think the researchers are the other team and are the ones that dot he predictions. > > Are they made by the researchers? > > Yes > > Would it be helpful to know what general subject field the researchers are studying? > > YES > > If yes: Economics? > > YES(partly) > > Psychology? > > NO > > Health / medicine? > > YES(kind of?) > > Politics / government? > > NO > > Mathematics? > > NO > > Arts / humanities? > > NO > > Social science not mentioned above? > > Ummm… Sociology? > > Natural science not mentioned above? > > NO > > Other? \*\*CORRECTION: I have just realized that this event/game was only one time, not a regular event. I’m not saying they never did it again, but it was initially a one time thing. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/949 "2019-12-10T16:17:01Z")
Does it have anything to do with placebos? i.e. Mike “lost” in that he didn’t get the real drug in a test? ---
**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 10, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/950 "2019-12-10T16:54:52Z")
Does Mike suffer from some sort of medical condition? Psychological? ---
**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 10, 2019, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/951 "2019-12-10T20:52:48Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Does it have anything to do with placebos? i.e. Mike “lost” in that he didn’t get the real drug in a test? > [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Does Mike suffer from some sort of medical condition? > Psychological? NO to everything here ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/952 "2019-12-10T23:30:01Z")
Is the “game” a simulation of some sort? Does it involve health insurance? Other health-related economic or behavioral choices? Are the researchers trying to predict what the other people involved in the game will do? ---
**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 10, 2019, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/953 "2019-12-10T23:40:28Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Is the “game” a simulation of some sort? > > YES, partly. > > Does it involve health insurance? > > NO > > Other health-related economic or behavioral choices? > > YES > > Are the researchers trying to predict what the other people involved in the game will do? > > NO The researchers are using this “game” to make predictions about something that really is occurring. I suggest everyone start asking about things those in the game(like Mike) do in the game. I’ll start: Does Mike roll dice in the game? NO Does Mike fight anyone in the game? NO etc… ---
**Author:** ![Delayed\_Reflex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/delayed_reflex/32/3172_2.png) [@Delayed\_Reflex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delayed_Reflex)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/954 "2019-12-11T00:13:30Z")
Does Mike touch other individuals participating in the game? Does he talk to the other individuals? Are individuals in the game assigned different roles by the researchers, or are they all the same? Do all of the individuals in the game do the same actions? Are the individuals given anything by the researchers at any point in the game? Was Mike “losing” representative of him experiencing a negative outcome if it was happening in real life instead of a game, eg. contracting a disease, dying, etc? Is the game meant to demonstrate something statistically? Does it have anything to do with vaccines? Birth control? ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/955 "2019-12-11T00:19:36Z")
Does the game have to do with the players changing a behavior? Stopping an addiction? ---
**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 11, 2019, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/956 "2019-12-11T00:24:09Z")
> [@Delayed\_Reflex](#): > > Does Mike touch other individuals participating in the game? > > NO > > Does he talk to the other individuals? > > Possibly, but IRRELEVANT > > Are individuals in the game assigned different roles by the researchers, or are they all the same? > > SAME > > Do all of the individuals in the game do the same actions? > > NO (there is choice in the game) > > Are the individuals given anything by the researchers at any point in the game? > > YES(they are given some tips at the beginning) > > Was Mike “losing” representative of him experiencing a negative outcome if it was happening in real life instead of a game, eg. contracting a disease, dying, etc? > > NO > > Is the game meant to demonstrate something statistically? > > YES > > Does it have anything to do with vaccines? Birth control? > > NO to both > [@Personal](#): > > Does the game have to do with the players changing a behavior? > Stopping an addiction? NO to both ---
**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 11, 2019, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/957 "2019-12-11T06:21:58Z")
Are the participants given a choice between a certain number of things? ---
**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 11, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/958 "2019-12-11T13:46:26Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Are the participants given a choice between a certain number of things? NO I want to move things a long on this one, so let me ask a helpful Q to push you guys. **Was everyone involved playing some kind of “hide-and-seek” game?** YES ---
**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 11, 2019, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/959 "2019-12-11T16:16:59Z")
Whatever the answer is. it’s going to be epic, because I’m stumped. Where they hiding themselves? Where they hiding some object in their persons? Where they hiding some part of themselves? Where they running from the opposition? ---
**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 11, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/960 "2019-12-11T17:54:49Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Whatever the answer is. it’s going to be epic, because I’m stumped. **(it might not be that great a puzzle. one never knows before)** > > Where they hiding themselves? > > YES(they = players like Mike) > > Where they hiding some object in their persons? > > NO > Where they hiding some part of themselves? > > NO > > Where they running from the opposition? > > NO Again, this puzzle might be a bummer. I can literally never tell what is satisfying and what is not. We’ll continue, but I don’t want it to become laborious. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=49)