Thread of Paradoxes: Make Your Head Explode!

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various paradoxes and mind-bending concepts, inviting participants to share their favorite examples. The discussion encompasses philosophical, linguistic, and logical paradoxes, as well as humorous observations related to language and definitions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces the paradox of Pinocchio stating, "My nose will grow," questioning the implications of truth and lies.
  • Another participant presents the Ship of Theseus paradox, asking whether a ship remains the same after all its parts have been replaced and what it means if the original parts are reassembled.
  • A participant raises the barber paradox, questioning whether a barber who shaves all men who do not shave themselves can shave himself.
  • Several humorous observations are made about language, such as why we drive on parkways and park on driveways, and why 'abbreviation' is a long word.
  • Participants share various examples of paradoxes, including references to Catch-22 and the nature of truth.
  • Some participants discuss the nature of definitions and spelling, questioning how one can look up a word if they do not know how to spell it.
  • There are multiple references to visual paradoxes and humorous images shared by participants, with some expressing confusion over their meanings.
  • One participant suggests that the existence of the universe itself is a paradox, leading to a broader discussion about reality and paradoxes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of paradoxes and humorous observations, but there is no consensus on the interpretations or implications of these paradoxes. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple competing views and interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on subjective interpretations of paradoxes and humor, and the definitions of terms are not universally agreed upon. The discussion includes a mix of serious and light-hearted contributions, which may affect the clarity of the arguments presented.

  • #31
Tsu said:
My favorite paradox:

http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/THK/THK280/two-doctors_~e00010593.jpg

:biggrin:

This is mine...
http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/210000/210500/210515/Products/4981258.jpg
 
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  • #32
Here is another one

2-two-docks-420.jpg
 
  • #33
A paradox about to be resolved...

[PLAIN]http://www.cottagedocks.com/images/docks/dock_sect_real_act_lg.jpg
 
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  • #36
Contrary to http://jyte.com/cl/a-paradox-is-not-a-pair-of-ducks.
 
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  • #37
Does anyone know why Tsu's photo says "Physicsforums" on it?

Now that is a real paradox! [a pair o'docs and a paradox]. Tsu said she has no idea how that happened.
 
  • #38
EnumaElish said:
Contrary to http://jyte.com/cl/a-paradox-is-not-a-pair-of-ducks.
You are a paradox? :eek:


No really, i agree with the above. The existence of the whole universe is a paradox. Reality is a paradox.

A better question - What is not a paradox?

We can't explain the universe and reality and so Everything is a paradox. This thread can stretch to infinity. Which is also a paradox.
 
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  • #39
WaveJumper said:
You are a paradox? :eek:
Actually I'm a Sagittarius, which is near the wild duck cluster (Messier 11). But a friend who's into astrology swears that I'm a Scorpio.
 
  • #40
TheStatutoryApe said:
This is mine...
http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/210000/210500/210515/Products/4981258.jpg

Well, so YOUR pair of docs have a last name. Big. whoop. Mine are LOTS cuter! :smile:
 
  • #41
Um, unless those AREN'T Doc Martin's. :biggrin: I have no style so I just assumed...
 
  • #42
From George Carlin's HBO presentation:

"Legally drunk"

"Undisputed fighting champion" -- if it's undisputed what's all the fight about?
 
  • #43
Tsu said:
Um, unless those AREN'T Doc Martin's. :biggrin: I have no style so I just assumed...

Yes they are.
And no worries, my idea of style is "These are comfy shoes. I think I will wear them with everything." ;-)
 
  • #44
TheStatutoryApe said:
Yes they are.
And no worries, my idea of style is "These are comfy shoes. I think I will wear them with everything." ;-)

Wow, aren't they? I have to wear steel-toe boots at my work, and I wear Docs. Holy cow, are those the most comfy shoes you could put on you foot, or what? They are heavy, though...
 
  • #45
Not so much paradoxes, but a couple of really incongruous observations at local businesses.

There is a paving company about 25 minutes from here that a couple runs out of their house. The house is a dumpy-looking place 'way back from the road on a rutted, muddy (unpaved, of course) driveway. When I first saw the sign there, I thought it was a little free advertising for the company that had been hired to do the paving. Nope!

There is another small business much closer that is run out of a house. Again, the house is a shabby-looking dump, poorly maintained, with a gravel drive, and a yard that consists of dirt and immobile vehicles - just a perfect eyesore. What does that guy do? His sign says that he does home renovations and remodeling. He may do great work, but judging from the condition of his own place, I doubt it.
 
  • #46
TheStatutoryApe said:
This is mine...
http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/210000/210500/210515/Products/4981258.jpg

I think I get this one: big big boots with thin-lugged city-walking soles.
 
  • #47
turbo-1 said:
Not so much paradoxes, but a couple of really incongruous observations at local businesses.

There is a paving company about 25 minutes from here that a couple runs out of their house. The house is a dumpy-looking place 'way back from the road on a rutted, muddy (unpaved, of course) driveway. When I first saw the sign there, I thought it was a little free advertising for the company that had been hired to do the paving. Nope!

There is another small business much closer that is run out of a house. Again, the house is a shabby-looking dump, poorly maintained, with a gravel drive, and a yard that consists of dirt and immobile vehicles - just a perfect eyesore. What does that guy do? His sign says that he does home renovations and remodeling. He may do great work, but judging from the condition of his own place, I doubt it.

The Cobbler's kids have no shoes...:wink:
 
  • #48
...and who among us can forget this pair of Dachs?

2ludz5j.jpg


(...erm, they are Dachs, aren't they...?)
 
  • #49
Flying dogs ! Eek!
 
  • #50
Chi Meson said:
I think I get this one: big big boots with thin-lugged city-walking soles.
No
(Unless you are being ironic?)
 
  • #51
mgb_phys said:
No
(Unless you are being ironic?)
He was pointing out a double-irony.
A pair a Docs that are, in themselves, paradoxical.
 
  • #52
DaveC426913 said:
He was pointing out a double-irony.
A pair a Docs that are, in themselves, paradoxical.

Why, yes. Of course I was. Certainly. I am so very clever, you know. Yep. Clever me!
 
  • #53
turbo-1 said:
Flying dogs ! Eek!

This is the kind of flying dog I'd prefer... and two or more would be fabulous:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/files/2009/05/flying_dog_logo1.jpg

(Actually I'd really prefer the Gonzo Porter... but this is the classic image for the brewery.)
 
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  • #54
lisab said:
...and who among us can forget this pair of Dachs?

2ludz5j.jpg


(...erm, they are Dachs, aren't they...?)


Well it's certainly a pair o' dogs.
 
  • #55
Andre said:
Well it's certainly a pair o' dogs.

:smile:

(Hmm...seems they're probably Miniature Pinschers :redface:.)
 
  • #56
TheStatutoryApe said:
Yes they are.
And no worries, my idea of style is "These are comfy shoes. I think I will wear them with everything." ;-)


That's called PERFECT style. :biggrin:
 
  • #57
I can resist everything except temptation.
 
  • #58
Banks charging penalty fees for bounced checks - clearly the person doesn't have enough money in the first place.

With the economy in the tank, people may have more reason than ever to drink more alcohol, but they can't afford it. - Cafferty File
 
  • #59
Ivan Seeking said:
With the economy in the tank, people may have more reason than ever to drink more alcohol, but they can't afford it. - Cafferty File

A day of panhandling always makes the hooch taste sweeter.
 
  • #60
Ivan Seeking said:
With the economy in the tank, people may have more reason than ever to drink more alcohol, but they can't afford it. - Cafferty File

The money for rent and food will go before the alcohol. That's why it is such a fun thing to tax and regulate.

That reminds me of something of a paradox. In Arizona I remember seeing drive through liquor stores. That's better than the European beer vending machines.
 

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