( Outer haven ) Quality Control Engineer

A judge tells a condemned prisoner that he will be hanged at noon on one day in the following week but that the execution will be a surprise to the prisoner. He will not know the day of the hanging until the executioner knocks on his cell door at noon that day. Having reflected on his sentence, the prisoner draws the conclusion that he will escape from the hanging. His reasoning is in several parts. He begins by concluding that if the hanging were on Friday then it would not be a surprise, since he would know by Thursday night that he was to be hanged the following day, as it would be the only day left (in that week). Since the judge's sentence stipulated that the hanging would be a surprise to him, he concludes it cannot occur on Friday. He then reasons that the hanging cannot be on Thursday either, because that day would also not be a surprise. On Wednesday night he would know that, with two days left (one of which he already knows cannot be execution day), the hanging should be expected on the following day. By similar reasoning he concludes that the hanging can also not occur on Wednesday, Tuesday or Monday. Joyfully he retires to his cell confident that the hanging will not occur at all. The next week, the executioner knocks on the prisoner's door at noon on Wednesday — an utter surprise to him. Everything the judge said has come true.

10:50 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined Sep. 2008 | 57 Days Active Join to learn more about Outer haven United States | 538 Posts | 975 Points

Natsy Enlightened One Ad Free	okaaaaaaaayy...O.o ------- "Because I can."
	10:51 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined Oct. 2007 | 291 Days Active Join to learn more about Natsy England, United Kingdom | Asexual Female | 12683 Posts | 16622 Points

sub800 Dairy Product Addict	k. ------- *eats chicken*
	10:52 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined Sep. 2008 | 40 Days Active Join to learn more about sub800 New York, United States | Straight Male | 1256 Posts | 1716 Points

deaths door14 Soothsayer Ad Free	that's crap. ------- It's too late to save myself from falling. Don't let the sun go down on me.
	10:52 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined Feb. 2006 | 350 Days Active Join to learn more about deaths door14 England, United Kingdom | Straight Female | 4618 Posts | 10424 Points

madrascal32 Wealthy Hobo	m'kay ------- put this in your signature
	10:52 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined July 2008 | 46 Days Active Join to learn more about madrascal32 Texas, United States | Straight Male | 4614 Posts | 4268 Points

Malachite Morning Guru Patron Support Leader	I don't think this was meant to be humorous... but you didn't exactly ask a question? ------- Can't we all just get along? Member Since 1194002957
	10:53 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined Nov. 2007 | 269 Days Active Join to learn more about Malachite Morning Pennsylvania, United States | Straight Male | 9563 Posts | 20503 Points

RIMHfire Wealthy Hobo	Hooray for mind twisters.
	10:54 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined Aug. 2008 | 54 Days Active Join to learn more about RIMHfire Massachusetts, United States | Bi-curious Female | 3417 Posts | 4076 Points

shadowpool Guru Patron Support Leader Tech Support Leader	Hahahaha!  That was great. ------- Your past does not define you; you define your past.
	10:55 am on Sep. 6, 2008 | Joined Nov. 2005 | 744 Days Active Join to learn more about shadowpool California, United States | Label Free Male | 10753 Posts | 20551 Points