NationStates Jolt Archive


A Riddle for ye!

Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 19:59
Ok, heres the deal, if you have already seen this feel free to post me the answer but if you havent, dont look because it feels really good when you work it out by yourself. P/m me with any queries or if you think you have an answer and I'll tell you if you're right.

Scenario.

You are in a white room, at either end of the room are identical doors, 2 of them, one at either end.
In the middle of the room are 2 perches on which 2 identical parrots sit both in the centre of the room.
A notice on the wall tells you that one of the parrots tells the truth, and the other tells lies. It also says you may only ask one parrot one question, and then you must choose a door.
Did I mention that one door leads to paradise and one to eternal torture?

What do you ask one of the parrots and HOW will this lead you to the correct door?
JuNii
21-05-2007, 20:01
sending tg.
SaintB
21-05-2007, 20:01
I can't get or send PMs...
Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 20:05
Sorry, yes,

If you have a response you'd like me to look over send it to:

russell.naglis@googlemail.com
Utracia
21-05-2007, 20:06
I know I've heard this before but the answer escapes me...
JuNii
21-05-2007, 20:06
sent my answer to your nation's tg system.
Posi
21-05-2007, 20:07
Ok, heres the deal, if you have already seen this feel free to post me the answer but if you havent, dont look because it feels really good when you work it out by yourself. P/m me with any queries or if you think you have an answer and I'll tell you if you're right.

Scenario.

You are in a white room, at either end of the room are identical doors, 2 of them, one at either end.
In the middle of the room are 2 perches on which 2 identical parrots sit both in the centre of the room.
A notice on the wall tells you that one of the parrots tells the truth, and the other tells lies. It also says you may only ask one parrot one question, and then you must choose a door.
Did I mention that one door leads to paradise and one to eternal torture?

What do you ask one of the parrots and HOW will this lead you to the correct door?
What is the color and direction of the door I should go out?
Luslyvania
21-05-2007, 20:08
I think I might well know the response. TGing now.
Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 20:10
but the doors are identical. As are the directions, both sides of the room look the same
Kyronea
21-05-2007, 20:11
Sadly, I remember this one from an episode of the dubbed Yu-Gi-Oh back when I had no taste.

Basically, you are supposed to ask each to lead you to their door. The truthful one will lead you to the door of eternal pleasure, and the lier will also lead you to the door of eternal pleasure, because that would be lying.

Unless this is a screwy one where neither one have a set door, in which case I just wasted my question and I may be tossing myself off a cliff no matter which door I choose.
Utracia
21-05-2007, 20:11
What is the color and direction of the door I should go out?

Wouldn't that be two questions? And I don't recall anything about the doors being colored. :confused:
BorderWorldXen
21-05-2007, 20:14
Its easy, but I dont have the willpower to remember the answer right now.
Sorry >.>
Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 20:15
Lol, theyre all wrong, yes it is the riddle where they are not assigned to a door. There is a question and an explanation, keep trying!

If you have queries telegram me, in case i go offline
JuNii
21-05-2007, 20:18
Lol, theyre all wrong, yes it is the riddle where they are not assigned to a door. There is a question and an explanation, keep trying!

If you have queries telegram me, in case i go offline

OhOHOHOH! I know this one... can I give them a hint... pleeeease!!!
The Alma Mater
21-05-2007, 20:20
Solution 1:

Ask the question: "If I were to ask the other parrot which door leads to eternal bliss, what would his answer be?"
Truthful parrot will point at the door to eternal damnation, since the lying parrot would give the wrong answer. Lying parrot will also point at the door to eternal damnation, since it lies about what the truthful parrot would say.
So.. just pick the other door.

Solution 2:

Grab both parrots and carefully explain to them how they will share your fate after walking through the door
Hydesland
21-05-2007, 20:21
You ask one parrot what door the other parrot would lead you too, they will both say the wrong answer. So you go in the other door.
Anadyr Islands
21-05-2007, 20:21
I remember this from Samurai Jack, actually.

Actually, you're supposed to ask both of them if they were other parrot, what door would they tell you to choose?

Because the truthful one would tell you truthfully what the door the lying one would tell you to go through, he'd tell you the eternal torture door. You can confirm this when the other parrot, who is lying about telling you what door the other parrot would tell you to go through, will tell you to go through the same door.

So, basically, you go through the door they both tell you not to go through after asking this question.
Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 20:23
yep! although i particulary like your second one, but maybe one of the parrots would have to be happy since it would be lying:P
RLI Rides Again
21-05-2007, 20:26
Lol, theyre all wrong, yes it is the riddle where they are not assigned to a door. There is a question and an explanation, keep trying!

If you have queries telegram me, in case i go offline

Solution in white text:
Say to each of them "If I was to ask the other parrot which door led to paradise, which would they point to?" The truth telling parrot will point towards the wrong door because that's what the liar would do; the liar will point towards the wrong door because that what the truth-teller wouldn't do. Go through the door which they don't point to.

*yawns*

EDIT: beaten to it
Nadkor
21-05-2007, 20:28
Is it just me or is the problem with those solutions that they involve asking both parrots?
Hydesland
21-05-2007, 20:30
Is it just me or is the problem with those solutions that they involve asking both parrots?

not my one.
RLI Rides Again
21-05-2007, 20:30
Is it just me or is the problem with those solutions that they involve asking both parrots?

Mine works equally well if you only ask one.
The Alma Mater
21-05-2007, 20:31
yep! although i particulary like your second one, but maybe one of the parrots would have to be happy since it would be lying:P

Then just grab one parrot, roast it alive and consume it in front of the other. Then grab this second parrot and point out that:
a. There are now no longer two parrots present, so it does no longer need to feel bound by age old obligations to always lie/speak truth and can choose.
b. You were merely annoyed at the riddle. You would be upset if you were to go through the wrong door.
Utracia
21-05-2007, 20:31
Is it just me or is the problem with those solutions that they involve asking both parrots?

You only need to ask one, but whichever one you ask will give the same answer so there is no trouble.
Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 20:31
Spoiler:
No, it just shows that regardless of which parrot you asked the same answer would be given, i.e leading you to the wrong door, so you can choose the other door.
Nadkor
21-05-2007, 20:33
not my one.

Ah, true.

Now for the next problem; the OP has already stated that neither parrot is assigned to a door.

So asking one parrot what the other would 'send' you to is pointless.

You'd have to ask something like "if I were to ask the other parrot to send me to paradise, which door would he direct me to?"
Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 20:35
well the parrot could tell you which door to go through, all i meant was that one parrot isnt bent on sending you to the door to hell.
The Alma Mater
21-05-2007, 20:36
Now for the next problem; the OP has already stated that neither parrot is assigned to a door.

So asking one parrot what the other would 'send' you to is pointless.


Not if you ask what the other parrot would say if you were to ask it which door leads to eternal bliss

Edit: aah, you added that. But that was in fact the answer already posted.
And please spoiler ;)
Hydesland
21-05-2007, 20:37
Ah, true.

Now for the next problem; the OP has already stated that neither parrot is assigned to a door.

So asking one parrot what the other would 'send' you to is pointless.

Whoops, I meant that you ask each parrot what door the other parot will lead you too if you ask him which door is paradise
Posi
21-05-2007, 20:37
Wouldn't that be two questions? And I don't recall anything about the doors being colored. :confused:
One sentance = one question

Plus, you could look at the door and see what color it was
Anadyr Islands
21-05-2007, 20:42
It'd be near impossible to do so without asking both.

Technically, it's one question with two answers.
Utracia
21-05-2007, 20:43
One sentance = one question

Plus, you could look at the door and see what color it was

I would say that you could ask all the whos, whats, wheres, whens, whys and hows you wish in one run-on sentence but I think that wouldn't be allowed, cheating in other words. I feel more comfortable with the other answer given, that only asks one thing, the direction the other parrot would direct you to. As for the doors, there was no description in the OP about the color of the doors so as far as I know they are both white like the rest of the room is.
RLI Rides Again
21-05-2007, 20:45
It'd be near impossible to do so without asking both.

Technically, it's one question with two answers.

No it isn't.

Spoiler:
Ask one parrot: 'If I asked the other parrot "Which door leads to Paradise?", which door would he say?' Then go through the other door.
Dirkistaniden
21-05-2007, 20:45
CLARIFICATION

The room is completely white, both doors are identical.

Ifs and buts and silly things are cheating. 1 question to 1 parrot and how this will lead you to the door of heaven
Pwnageeeee
21-05-2007, 20:45
I'd ask 1 parrot how many perches there are. If he answers 2 I'll know he's the truthful parrot, if he answers anything besides 2 I'll know he's the liar. With that knowledge in hand, I'll ask the other 1 parrot which door leads to paradise.
Smunkeeville
21-05-2007, 20:47
I remember this from Labyrinth.
The_pantless_hero
21-05-2007, 20:49
I remember this from Labyrinth.

And both doors lead to you getting screwed.
Utracia
21-05-2007, 20:52
And both doors lead to you getting screwed.

Well doesn't that just figure. I guess its true that the world is out to screw you.
UpwardThrust
21-05-2007, 21:12
Ok, heres the deal, if you have already seen this feel free to post me the answer but if you havent, dont look because it feels really good when you work it out by yourself. P/m me with any queries or if you think you have an answer and I'll tell you if you're right.

Scenario.

You are in a white room, at either end of the room are identical doors, 2 of them, one at either end.
In the middle of the room are 2 perches on which 2 identical parrots sit both in the centre of the room.
A notice on the wall tells you that one of the parrots tells the truth, and the other tells lies. It also says you may only ask one parrot one question, and then you must choose a door.
Did I mention that one door leads to paradise and one to eternal torture?

What do you ask one of the parrots and HOW will this lead you to the correct door?

Oh come on this is from the labyrinth
JuNii
21-05-2007, 21:13
And both doors lead to you getting screwed.

yep.

except some people like dictating which door to use while being screwed.
UpwardThrust
21-05-2007, 21:14
I remember this from Labyrinth.

Glad I am not the only one who remembers that movie :)

David Bowie FTW
Posi
21-05-2007, 21:14
I would say that you could ask all the whos, whats, wheres, whens, whys and hows you wish in one run-on sentence but I think that wouldn't be allowed, cheating in other words. I feel more comfortable with the other answer given, that only asks one thing, the direction the other parrot would direct you to. As for the doors, there was no description in the OP about the color of the doors so as far as I know they are both white like the rest of the room is.
The lying parrot would say that they are black/green/purple or any-non white color, while the truthy parrot would say white.
Smunkeeville
21-05-2007, 21:15
Glad I am not the only one who remembers that movie :)

David Bowie FTW

:D *sings*

"slap that baby make it free!"
The Alma Mater
21-05-2007, 21:15
Oh come on this is from the labyrinth

You don't mean the movie I hope ? Because this riddle probably is a few thousand years old ;)
New Manvir
21-05-2007, 21:15
Solution 1:

Solution 2:

Grab both parrots and carefully explain to them how they will share your fate after walking through the door

You win :p
UpwardThrust
21-05-2007, 21:18
You don't mean the movie I hope ? Because this riddle probably is a few thousand years old ;)

Of course but when the same thing was asked and answered in fairly recent (relativity) media it seems there could be a lot more interesting and tougher to remember riddles
UpwardThrust
21-05-2007, 21:19
:D *sings*

"slap that baby make it free!"

I own the DVD

Watched it 2 years ago and the night I watched it I ended up with the flu and having a fever of like 104

Some of the weirdest dreams EVAR
Smunkeeville
21-05-2007, 21:22
I own the DVD

Watched it 2 years ago and the night I watched it I ended up with the flu and having a fever of like 104

Some of the weirdest dreams EVAR

we also own the DVD, we watched it a few months ago, freaked out the 3 year old haha she had horrible dreams about puppets trying to steal her head.
The Alma Mater
21-05-2007, 21:24
You win :p

Thanks :)
A third solution just occured to me. It is after all not explicitly stated that one may not say in a loud voice "I address this question to the truthful parrot. Which is the door to take to eternal bliss ?"

The lying parrot is not asked to speak, so should not.
UpwardThrust
21-05-2007, 21:45
we also own the DVD, we watched it a few months ago, freaked out the 3 year old haha she had horrible dreams about puppets trying to steal her head.

I saw it when I was not too much older (must have been rather new then I was 3 in 86) and it freaked the hell out of me too
Damor
21-05-2007, 23:22
Don't trust the notice on the wall, it's a lie.
Infinite Revolution
21-05-2007, 23:48
how does everyone do that spoiler thing? i've never seen it as an option in the reply box.
Damaske
21-05-2007, 23:49
Thanks :)
A third solution just occured to me. It is after all not explicitly stated that one may not say in a loud voice "I address this question to the truthful parrot. Which is the door to take to eternal bliss ?"

The lying parrot is not asked to speak, so should not.

Yes, but the lying parot -being a liar- would speak also. He's not the truthful one but since he always lies, he has to speak up.

.........

And to UT and Smunkeeville....thanks, now I have an urge to go watch Labrynth. :p
Haven't seen that one in years!
JuNii
21-05-2007, 23:52
how does everyone do that spoiler thing? i've never seen it as an option in the reply box. "Spoiler" and "/spoiler" in brackets.

Yes, but the lying parot -being a liar- would speak also. He's not the truthful one but since he always lies, he has to speak up.

.........

And to UT and Smunkeeville....thanks, now I have an urge to go watch Labrynth. :p
Haven't seen that one in years!
Love that movie.
Posi
21-05-2007, 23:55
I got a better answer. I ask one parrot what color he is. I use that to figure out which parrot tells the truth. I grab the Truthy parrot and head for a door. If it is the wrong door, he'll let me know.
JuNii
21-05-2007, 23:57
I got a better answer. I ask one parrot what color he is. I use that to figure out which parrot tells the truth. I grab the Truthy parrot and head for a door. If it is the wrong door, he'll let me know.

nah, like this solution (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/images/oots0327.gif) better.

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/images/oots0327.gif
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
22-05-2007, 00:01
Since the correct answer was provided on the first page, I'll just grab a parrot in either hand and throw them through one of the doors. If I hear screams of parrot-agony, I go the other way.

Spoiler tags are for children, invalids and child-like invalids.
Ladamesansmerci
22-05-2007, 00:04
Screw eternal paradise or eternal agony, I'll just sit in that nice little room in the middle, and eat parrot stew.
The Blaatschapen
22-05-2007, 00:08
Solution 1:

Ask the question: "If I were to ask the other parrot which door leads to eternal bliss, what would his answer be?"
Truthful parrot will point at the door to eternal damnation, since the lying parrot would give the wrong answer. Lying parrot will also point at the door to eternal damnation, since it lies about what the truthful parrot would say.
So.. just pick the other door.

Solution 2:

Grab both parrots and carefully explain to them how they will share your fate after walking through the door

So, how would you solve this if there is a third parrot (and perch, don't forget the perch!) which will shoot you with a bazooka when you ask tricky questions or threaten him? :p
Infinite Revolution
22-05-2007, 00:10
"Spoiler" and "/spoiler" in brackets.

ah, cheers :)
Minaris
22-05-2007, 00:11
So, how would you solve this if there is a third parrot (and perch, don't forget the perch!) which will shoot you with a bazooka when you ask tricky questions or threaten him? :p

Shoot the bazooka with an elephant gun and resume questioning