Interesting Links for 25-06-2015

[andrewducker]

• Some context on Tim Hunt's comments on women scientists
  • (tags: women science )
• The Internet That Was (and Still Could Be)
  • (tags: internet communication )
• Can you solve the Three Switches Problem?
  • (tags: puzzle physics )
• What's Really Warming the World?
  • (tags: globalwarming visualisation )
• The "Confederate Battle Flag" has nothing to do with heritage.

Comments

[channelpenguin]

I had the three switches in an interview. They wouldn't let me take the switch plates off and use a continuity tester! The answer rests on an assumption that I say that one cannot make. (I asked were there any assumptions - but more fool me, I didn't state explicitly which). They didn't agree.

[a_pawson]

I once had the idea of removing the faceplate and pushing a 50 amp current through the circuit attached to switch 1, then simply turning on switch 2. If the bulb is on or off when you go to the attic, it was wired to 2 or 3. If it has exploded, it was wired to switch 1.

That or simply turning on switch 1 and going away for 10 years (or at least double whatever the expected lifespan of a bulb is). Nobody said that test was time-bound.

[drainboy]

Presumably the answer is simply to turn on switch one for 1 minute, turn it off, turn on switch 2, then run upstairs. If it's on, it's 2, if it's hot it's 1, if it's cold it's 3.
What assumption is there in that (except for light making heat?)

[atreic]

It makes the puzzle really really about lightbulbs (and probably doesn't even work with modern led lightbulbs) rather than making it about logic and 'on' and 'off' as binary states. Contrast it to the hat puzzle - if you solved that by knowing that blue wool was itchier than red wool it would be annoying in the same way.

[momentsmusicaux]

Won't work with modern LED bulbs, though will it?

[channelpenguin]

That was my point. They assume the (now rare) incandescent bulb.

[usmu]

I haven't got a clue about Cox, but a call to be reinstated to a job someone lost because of possible sexist remarks by noted sexist Richard Dawkins seems to be a bit ironic in that Morrisette way. Or maybe he's hoping to build some support just in case he needs it.

[alitheapipkin]

I understood that what had actually happened was he resigned from an honorary position which had no wage attached to it, so Cox can complain about trial by twitter if he likes but that doesn't change the fact that a twitter mob did not get Tim Hunt sacked from a job.

[octopoid_horror]

You ask a friend to go up to the attic, and in advance tell him you'll try first switch after a minute, then the second switch after two minutes and the third after three minutes.

After you've tried all three, you take your leisurely walk upstairs and ask whether the light came on after 1, 2 or 3 minutes of waiting.

How is that even difficult? It says that you can only take one trip, doesn't mention anyone else.

[andrewducker]

I'm answering a logic puzzle. What are the chances of me having friends?

[octopoid_horror]

Possibly the friend is someone involved in an ill-conceived lan party at your house, whom you thought was a proper friend but intead in turns out they're more of a person with similar gaming interests but unpleasant views which you'd thought were just trash talk online also they smell kinda weird so at least if they're in the attic they won't be so close to you?

[ckd]

http://the-toast.net/2015/02/12/tell-logic-puzzle/

[asher63]

Andrew, I want to respond at greater length to the Economist article on Ben Carson, but (speaking as a US Republican) let me give you my initial reactions