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.

[kalimac]

I can think of at least three ways in which the problem can go wrong:

1) The light bulb is burned out. (You'll think the answer is 3, even if it's actually 1 or 2.)
2) Some joker had the light on and turned it off just before you arrived, and you don't know it. (The bulb will still be warm, even if the answer is 3.)
3) The bulb is too high to touch, and there's no ladder in the attic. (By the rules, you're not allowed to go back down, fetch a ladder, and come back up.)

Another solution to the whole problem:
1) Pull out your cell phone.
2) Call a friend and have that person go up to the attic while you stay on the phone and manipulate switches.

[drainboy]

I can think of at least three ways in which the problem can go wrong:

1) Your cell phone is burned out (or it's one of those oversized inflatable ones and the guys at the phone shop are still laughing that you're paying £29.99 a month for it)
2) Some joker's replaced your phone with a lobster and you're repeating "Hello, Geraldine? Hello?" as it slowly devours the right side of your face.
3) You are too high and you can't operate the phone because you can't even operate your fingers.
4) (bonus extra reason) Zombie Apocalypse

[kalimac]

Mine are plausible.

[iainjcoleman]

2) is no problem. You start by turning all the switches off, then reading a book for half an hour.

[kalimac]

It's only not a problem if you guess they might pull that particular gaslighting on you.

[channelpenguin]

I ssid at the time that my continuity tester solution was 'out of the box'. They didn't like it. Possibly because it's exactly how I'd solve it as a real problem, not theoretical one! Hey, maybe I just wasnt playing well with others.