# Thompson's Lamp

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thompsons-lamp/955473>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [December 3, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thompsons-lamp/955473 "2021-12-03T23:17:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**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:** [December 3, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thompsons-lamp/955473/2 "2021-12-03T23:17:51Z")

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> [@Lack of Freewill doesn't mean lack of choice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-freewill-doesnt-mean-lack-of-choice/954128/96):
>
> This is only a paradox because it assumes time is continuous, while also assuming the state of the lamp is discrete. If time were discrete the infinite series becomes a finite series. If the state of the lamp were continuous, the mathematical answer ‘ _S_ converges at 0.5’ is applicable. It would mean perhaps the switch is half way between being on and off, or the lighting element is still warming up.

~Max.

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