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.

  • #121
Gad said:
Does it have some sort of a handle?

No, it has no handle.

micromass said:
Is it used for entertainment purposes?

There are venues for it to be used as entertainment, yes. But its original puropose was far, far from entertainment.

(Btw I'm being generous with answers, because I've used this one before and it has never been guessed.)
 
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  • #122
made of metal?
 
  • #123
Enigman said:
made of metal?

Yes, primarily.
 
  • #124
lisab said:
No, it has no handle.



There are venues for it to be used as entertainment, yes. But its original puropose was far, far from entertainment.

(Btw I'm being generous with answers, because I've used this one before and it has never been guessed.)

Was it invented to harm people?
 
  • #125
micromass said:
Was it invented to harm people?

Sadly, yes :frown:.
 
  • #126
lisab said:
Sadly, yes :frown:.

Is it a modern invention? That is, invented in the 20th century?
 
  • #127
A TV still kind of fits... Are you sure it's not a TV?
 
  • #128
micromass said:
A TV still kind of fits... Are you sure it's not a TV?

:smile: you're awesome
 
  • #129
lisab said:
:smile: you're awesome

+1 :smile:
 
  • #130
micromass said:
Is it a modern invention? That is, invented in the 20th century?

No, it is not modern, but it's still in use. It was invented before the 20th century.
 
  • #131
Hmmm.. Does it have some uniform shape, like a sphere?
 
  • #132
lisab said:
No, it is not modern, but it's still in use. It was invented before the 20th century.

Was it used to kill people? Or rather to torture people?
 
  • #133
Me think of
http://image2.photokore.com/image/500/201207/a790326.jpg
 
  • #134
Gad said:
Hmmm.. Does it have some uniform shape, like a sphere?

Early versions were spheres, but newer ones are not.

micromass said:
Was it used to kill people? Or rather to torture people?

Yes, they were designed to kill.
 
  • #135
micromass said:
Me think of
http://image2.photokore.com/image/500/201207/a790326.jpg

No, it's not a knife or sword.
 
  • #136
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #137

Yes.

I knew PFers could get it -- like I said, it's never been guessed before.

You're up, micro!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #138
OK, got something
 
  • #139
Animal, vegetable or mineral?
 
  • #140
Enigman said:
Animal, vegetable or mineral?

Yes.
 
  • #141
Lolol :smile::cry::smile:
 
  • #142
Fine, I'll leave out the mathematical logic :frown:

It's usually made of minerals. Although it can also be made of wood.
 
  • #143
micromass said:
Yes.

:confused:

Which one?
Edit-Never mind...
 
Last edited:
  • #144
Does it contain glass?
 
  • #145
Gad said:
Does it contain glass?

It could contain glass, but it's not necessary.
 
  • #146
Is it light?
 
  • #147
Gad said:
Is it light?

No, it doesn't typically consist of photons.
 
  • #148
micromass said:
Fine, I'll leave out the mathematical logic :frown:

It's usually made of minerals. Although it can also be made of wood.

Too detailed...not that I am complaining.:D
 
  • #149
micromass said:
No, it doesn't typically consist of photons.

Is it heavy then?
 
  • #150
Gad said:
Is it heavy then?

Depends. It can be really tiny, or really massive. It really can have a lot of sizes.
 

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