A little Contest Show me something that is Absolutlly Useless

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The discussion revolves around a classroom exercise where students were asked to bring an "absolutely useless object." Participants debate the concept of "uselessness," with some suggesting that the human appendix is a prime example. Others argue that any item brought with intent to participate gains a form of usefulness, creating a paradox. The conversation explores various interpretations of uselessness, including items like burnt-out light bulbs and outdated information. Some participants highlight the inherent contradictions in defining something as "absolutely useless," suggesting that the exercise itself challenges perceptions and encourages critical thinking. The dialogue becomes increasingly philosophical, with discussions on the nature of answers and the paradox of the riddle. Overall, the thread emphasizes the complexity of defining utility and the thought-provoking nature of the exercise.
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Many years ago I ask my Students to bring to class a ABsollutlly Useless Object, Just for Fun let see what you can come up with...

Ricky

actually is Only one "Correct" answer, so the challenge is not as easy as you may think.
 
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The human appendix.
 
"useless"?
 
___ said:
"useless"?

the porpuse of this exercice is to find minds with the avility to see the "bigger picture" and also the ones that don't.
 
I would bring nothing to class.
 
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Madison Cycles in the U.K.
 
A CCW Permit in California?

I think i won
 
Wouldn't bringing an item with intent to enter the contest give a it a use, even if it had none before?
 
  • #11
There is no correct answer, because whatever the person says, if correct, would have been useful at solving this puzzle, and thus contradicts the uselessness of the said object. "Nothing" would fall into this category.
 
  • #12
Treadstone 71 said:
There is no correct answer, because whatever the person says, if correct, would have been useful at solving this puzzle, and thus contradicts the uselessness of the said object. "Nothing" would fall into this category.

Well done!
 
  • #13
ricardo kuhn said:
Many years ago I ask my Students to bring to class a ABsollutlly Useless Object, Just for Fun let see what you can come up with...

Ricky







actually is Only one "Correct" answer, so the challenge is not as easy as you may think.


I would bring the dna evidence that proves OJ Simpson is a murderer, because it turned out to be totally useless.

I'd bring something that has already been used and can't be used again like a a burnt out light bulb or a blown tire or a... hmm... then again you could use the materials of those objects to make something new... how about un needed information, like the memory addresses of ram in the first mercury spacecraft ?

what about a slim whitman record?
 
  • #14
I think Treadstone's got your answer Jonny.

By the way Treadstone, I do believe that you're both right and wrong at the same time with that answer. If your answer is that there is no answer, then your own answer must fall under that rule. Your are therefore incorrect.

However with the fall of your previous answer, there are no other answers to present, so it can again be said that there are no answers, which again answers the riddle and is incorrect. Therefore, you are right and then instantly wrong in an infinite loop. It's sort of paradoxical I guess; the riddle is entirely blocked off by its own purpose.

Kudos ricardo kuhn :smile:
 
  • #15
ricardo kuhn said:
Many years ago I ask my Students to bring to class a ABsollutlly Useless Object, Just for Fun let see what you can come up with...

Ricky

actually is Only one "Correct" answer, so the challenge is not as easy as you may think.

"absolutely useless" is still limited by context unless the request states otherwise.

"I needed something to unclog my drain last night and my iPod was absolutely useless"

A statement you can't disprove even if an ipod has uses elsewhere!
 
  • #16
Ubern0va said:
By the way Treadstone, I do believe that you're both right and wrong at the same time with that answer. If your answer is that there is no answer, then your own answer must fall under that rule. Your are therefore incorrect.
However with the fall of your previous answer, there are no other answers to present, so it can again be said that there are no answers, which again answers the riddle and is incorrect.

*brain explodes*
 
  • #17
This isn't one of those projects you tell your students to do in order to get fired the next when you tell the kids that showed up they received A's for bringing their brains?
 
  • #18
Jonny_trigonometry said:
what about a slim whitman record?
I don't care what ricardo kuhn says ... this has to be the right answer. :smile: :smile:

You couldn't even use a Slim Whitman record as a clay pigeon for target practice. You'd be laughing so hard you'd miss anyway.
 
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