- #1
Hill
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What is wrong (if anything) with this picture?
Is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Flawed Like Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the conceptual flaws or paradoxes presented in the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," drawing parallels to Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem. Participants explore the implications of probability and logical contradictions within the context of the game, as well as the humor derived from these observations.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants analyze the probability of guessing the correct answer, suggesting a 25% chance regardless of the available percentage hints.
- Others question the nature of the answers, debating whether to select a letter or an answer based on the provided probabilities.
- A participant notes the humorous aspect of the situation, pointing out that the 25% probability is mentioned twice, creating a paradox.
- Another participant introduces the idea that the question contains a logical contradiction, making all provided answers impossible, similar to the statement "This statement is false."
- One participant reflects on the nature of interesting answers, quoting Susan Sontag about answers that destroy the question.
- There is a mention of personal luck affecting the probability of guessing correctly, suggesting a subjective experience in answering.
- A participant connects the discussion to Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem, implying a deeper philosophical link between the game and logical paradoxes.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express various interpretations of the game's mechanics and the associated probabilities, with no clear consensus on the implications or the nature of the contradictions presented. Multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of the game's structure and its relation to logical paradoxes.
Contextual Notes
Some arguments depend on assumptions about the nature of probability and logical structure, which remain unresolved. The discussion includes references to humor and personal experiences that may not apply universally.
- #2
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Is that real?
- #3
Baluncore
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1'st analysis.
You select a, b, c or d. There is a 25% chance you will guess the right letter.
The available % answers have nothing to do with it.
You select a, b, c or d. There is a 25% chance you will guess the right letter.
The available % answers have nothing to do with it.
- #4
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Doesn't matter. It's funnyPeroK said:
- #5
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Are you going for answer A or D?Baluncore said:
- #6
Hill
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This is what I don't know. Do we choose a letter or an answer?Baluncore said:
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Which is why it's funny.Baluncore said:
By the way, did you notice 25% is listed twice? Seems to me that makes it extra funny because that creates a paradox.
- #8
Baluncore
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The paradox comes in the 2'nd analysis.
You enter an oscillating solution that could be A, D or C.
Since A or D could be correct, that sometimes makes the correct answer C.
So the answer must then be 25%. A or D.
You enter an oscillating solution that could be A, D or C.
Since A or D could be correct, that sometimes makes the correct answer C.
So the answer must then be 25%. A or D.
- #9
DrGreg
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This is a question that contains within it a logical contradiction, so not only are A, B, C and D all impossible, but "none of the above" is also impossible (because that would imply that B was correct, a contradiction).
I suppose it's a bit like asking if "This statement is false" is true or false.
I suppose it's a bit like asking if "This statement is false" is true or false.
- #10
Baluncore
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“The only interesting answers are those which destroy the question”. —Susan Sontag
- #11
Vanadium 50
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As usual. the key is to read the problem carefully. If I were to guess at random, my probability would be zero. I'm just unlucky.
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pinball1970
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Does nobody like 50%? Two chances of 25%? I am assuming this is a bit of a trick question.PeroK said:
- #13
Hornbein
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It reminds of Godel Incompleteness.
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