20 Questions: An Intelligence-Testing Game of Yes/No Questions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the game "20 Questions," where players ask Yes/No questions to identify a hidden object. Participants explore the mechanics of the game, share experiences, and engage in a live game session, while also discussing strategies and challenges encountered during play.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in formulating effective questions during the game.
  • Another participant mentions a variation of the game with only three questions, questioning its feasibility.
  • Several participants engage in a live game, asking questions to narrow down the identity of the object.
  • There is a discussion about the importance of narrowing the field rather than making random guesses.
  • Participants propose various questions to clarify the object's characteristics, such as whether it is man-made, its size, and its use in transportation.
  • Some participants express predictions about the object based on the questions asked, suggesting possibilities like a car or bicycle.
  • There are discussions about the relevance of previous questions and whether they should be counted in the total.
  • One participant introduces an AI that plays 20 Questions, sharing their experience with its performance.
  • Confusion arises over certain questions, indicating varying levels of understanding among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mechanics of the game and the need for strategic questioning, but there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of various approaches and the feasibility of identifying the object with limited questions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the identity of the object being guessed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the appropriateness of certain questions and their relevance to the game, indicating a lack of consensus on how to effectively narrow down the possibilities.

  • #31
Traz 0 said:
I thought we were running low on questions, but, if we don't count "are you a TV," we're only at 7. And, should we REALLY count "are you a TV?"

I suppose it would be fair.
 
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  • #32
KC_Smallz said:
I suppose it would be fair.

Then, 8.
 
  • #33
Enigman said:
Is it a land transport

Yes.
 
  • #34
Is it black?

:biggrin:
 
  • #35
Traz 0 said:
I predict that it transports both, and that the ultimate answer is, something very close to a car. Or a bicycle. Or a scooter. I had a Strategy, damn you! lol

(Is a bicycle less than 10 kg? I'm sure I have seen lighter ones...) well here are questions I will leave you to choose from them:
Does it have more than 4 wheels? Excluding spares.
Is it curiosity the Mars rover? Perhaps it would be better to ask if it is common: we could just eliminate bat mobile, tanks, S.W.O.R.D.S and horse carraiges. Sorry poor joke.
 
  • #36
What is the consensus on the next question?
 
  • #37
I have mat 101 class now...Is it commonly seen?
 
  • #38
No. (not commonly seen)
 
  • #39
Is it mentioned in the previous posts?
 
  • #40
Does it have wheels?
 
  • #42
lisab said:
Does it have wheels?

Yes.
 
  • #43
Enigman said:
Is it mentioned in the previous posts?
I don't get this question. Pass.
 
  • #44
Are the wheels propelled in any manner by a motor or engine that is an integral part of the object.
 
  • #45
edward said:
Are the wheels propelled in any manner by a motor or engine that is an integral part of the object.
Nope
 
  • #46
Do children use it?
 
  • #47
edward said:
Are the wheels propelled in any manner by a motor or engine that is an integral part of the object.

I didn't really get this question, and I still don't. But, it was *clearly* a smart question, since I didn't anticipate the answer. :-)

All I've got now is land yacht, which isn't as all that uncommon, or, maybe something like the lunar rover, with motors in the wheels? Though, I would consider wheels integral ...

Take us home, Edward!
 
  • #48
I was thinking the car/vehicle's engine might be the answer, but the last answered questions are confusing...
 
  • #49
MisterX said:
Some of you might be interested in this AI that plays 20 questions.

Not that good. I was thinking about a velvet mite. It asked about 30 questions before giving up. It wrote "Is it a woodloose (insect)?"... The woodloose is NOT an insect, it's a crustacean!
Then it stated that I contradicted its knowledge 5 times:
Does it live in a forest? I answered "sometimes", its thoughts are "No".
Can it jump? I answered "no". Its thoughts are "probably".
Is it boring? I answered "no", it wanted a "yes".
Does it live in the grassland? I answered "sometimes", it wanted a "no".
Can one find it over a desk? I answered "sometimes", it wanted a "doubtful".
 
  • #50
Traz 0 said:
I didn't really get this question, and I still don't. But, it was *clearly* a smart question, since I didn't anticipate the answer. :-)

All I've got now is land yacht, which isn't as all that uncommon, or, maybe something like the lunar rover, with motors in the wheels? Though, I would consider wheels integral ...

Take us home, Edward!

Or perhaps some thing like horse carraige, Ox carts, Hand rickshaws, Bicycles...
 
  • #51
Enigman said:
Or perhaps some thing like horse carraige, Ox carts, Hand rickshaws, Bicycles...

Those items are all commonly seen, if not necessarily in the west. Which aren't members of the set that fits our previous queries.
 
  • #52
Then perhaps we should ask if it is dragged or pushed by carbon based life forms...:what:
 
  • #53
Is it a Segway?
 
  • #54
lisab said:
Is it a Segway?

I had to Google that term. No, it isn't.
 
  • #55
OK so far we have determined that it is a not commonly seen, non self propelled land transport. It is bigger than a microwave and weighs over 10kg. It is not black. It is man made and is smaller than a house.

I don't think that we got an answer to the question in post #21by KC Smallz. For convenience I will repost it here.

Is it used solely for transporting people?

Edit bolded for clarity.
 
Last edited:
  • #56
edward said:
Is it used solely for transporting people?
Edit bolded for clarity.
Yes. (But I am not sure . It CAN be used to transport goods as well if one wants.)
 
  • #57
Someone mentioned the number of wheels but then never really asked (I think):confused:

LOL OK so does it have fewer than four wheels?
 
  • #58
edward said:
Someone mentioned the number of wheels but then never really asked (I think):confused:

LOL OK so does it have fewer than four wheels?
Yes.
 
  • #59
edward said:
Someone mentioned the number of wheels but then never really asked (I think):confused:

LOL OK so does it have fewer than four wheels?
That would be me...
The only thing I can think of is Hand pulled rickshaws...
I really need some coffee :(
 
  • #60
I have several guesses here, except all weigh less than 10 kg and/or are not uncommon, i.e. bicycle, unicycle, 3 wheeled baby carriage, pogo-stick, stilts, rickshaw ... uh, a wheelbarrow at a dive bar used to carry out drunks? Is a jet pack used for land transport?
 
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