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.

  • #91
Enigman said:
Unlikely definition from urban dictionary: A douchebag who has little or no integrity and mainly like to hang with the opposite sex at a much younger age (mostly because they are naive). Best places to fine somebody like this would be Oklahoma or Southeast Alaska.

Holy Poopsicle! ROFL!

In my case, it's a character name from a Jack Vance novel.

BTW, if Lisa doesn't start a topic, I will. Except, now it can't be a Traz :(
 
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  • #92
Wt...

*hands Enigman a cup of peach flower tea to calm him/her down*
 
  • #93
Gad said:
Wt...

*hands Enigman a cup of peach flower tea to calm him/her down*

Enig-MAN so a he.
*gulps it down desperately- before the system crashes again*
 
  • #94
Right then!

I have something in mind.
 
  • #95
lisab said:
Right then!

I have something in mind.

I believe the first question is allowed to be "animal, vegetable, or mineral?" so, which?

Edit: if any.
 
  • #96
Traz 0 said:
I believe the first question is allowed to be "animal, vegetable, or mineral?" so, which?

Edit: if any.

Definitely not an animal or vegetable. A combination of minerals.
 
  • #97
lisab said:
Definitely not an animal or vegetable. A combination of minerals.

Right. Who's next?
 
  • #98
Can you carry it?
 
  • #99
Gad said:
Can you carry it?

Yes.
 
  • #101
You're not asking Enigman, so I'll do.

Is it used on a daily basis?
 
  • #102
Gad said:
You're not asking Enigman, so I'll do.

Is it used on a daily basis?

No, it's not typically used daily.
 
  • #103
Is it man-made?
 
  • #104
I_am_learning said:
Is it man-made?

Yes it is.
 
  • #105
Is it commonly seen in schools?

(I know :biggrin:)
 
  • #106
Is it a TV?
 
  • #107
micromass said:
Is it a TV?

Hey! Don't screw up our game!
 
  • #108
Gad said:
Hey! Don't screw up our game!

I think Lisa knows that we're not ready to start guessing specifics. She was a questioner last game.
 
  • #109
Traz 0 said:
I think Lisa knows that we're not ready to start guessing specifics. She was a questioner last game.

:blank look:
 
  • #110
*apologizes for being rude*
 
  • #111
Gad said:
micromass said:
Is it a TV?

Hey! Don't screw up our game!

Further, a TV IS typically used daily.

lisab said:
No, it's not typically used daily.
 
  • #112
I am interested in this thread, allow me to ask a question.

Is it found in water?
 
  • #113
First game: Someone asked, "is it a tv?"

I_am_learning said:
No. But this is not how you play. You need to keep narrowing the field, not make wild guesses.

This game:
micromass said:
Is it a TV?

I kinda thought it was a joke, like, a recurring question asked way to early?

In case it's not, optimal strategy for this game seems to me to be to wait until you can't think of anything else to offer a specific item. Or, if you're on q20, pick your best guess of what's left.

Of course, that's just how I'd play. Don't want to be a bully here, lol.
 
  • #114
freshcoast said:
I am interested in this thread, allow me to ask a question.

Is it found in water?

It's not typically found in water, but I guess there are circumstances where it could end up there.

TV :-p
 
  • #115
Is it found in the kitchen?
 
  • #116
Gad said:
Is it found in the kitchen?

It's not typically found in kitchens, but there could be circumstances where it would be found there.
 
  • #117
Is it an electrical or electronics device?
 
  • #118
I_am_learning said:
Is it an electrical or electronics device?

No it's not, and it has no electrical or electronic components.
 
  • #119
Does it have some sort of a handle?
 
  • #120
Is it used for entertainment purposes?
 

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