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Devin L. 20-07-2004 03:40
Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Does anyone have any questions that are either confusing or unaswerable?
I have come across some questions that have confused me a lot. If you have any, please put them here.
Ill start with an example...

If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

Billfred 20-07-2004 09:49
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
If quitters never win and winners never quit, does it make sense to quit while you're ahead?

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

Why do kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

...I used to have a list. I'll see if I can find it.

ZACH P. 20-07-2004 09:51
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Could Jesus microwave a burrito so hot that he himself could not eat it?

Ali Ahmed 20-07-2004 10:09
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
If a person comes up to you and says, "Everything I tell you is a lie." Is he lying or telling the truth?

EddieMcD 20-07-2004 10:24
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
This one is personal to me: If air travel is so safe, why is the place you leave from called the terminal?

Jeff Waegelin 20-07-2004 10:28
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Some old ones...

Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?

Why are there Interstate highways in Hawaii?

If you arrest a mime, do you have to tell him he has the right to remain silent?

Dorienne 20-07-2004 13:06
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Here's some old ones too:
*Why is a boxing ring square?
*Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
*Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?
Just to put a few.
--d0ri

Francis-134 20-07-2004 14:52
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Why is there brail on drive-up ATM's?

Spammy Badame 20-07-2004 22:31
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
okay okay okay, really really old one...

which came first... chicken or the egg?

sorry, i just had to bring it up, tho

Adam Y. 20-07-2004 23:04
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
*Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Believe it or not there is an anwser to that. The most credible pshyics say that they can never use their power for their personal gain. They can only use it to help others. Also, most psyhics don't predict the future. They usually have the ability to communicate with the dead. I have my own unanswered questions. I picked Nobel as my confirmation name. I thought it would be a nice idea since he was a scientist and all. A few monthes later I discovered that we were born on the same day.

Madison 20-07-2004 23:14
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieMcD
This one is personal to me: If air travel is so safe, why is the place you leave from called the terminal?
...because it is also the place where planes arrive, terminating their trip. :)

EddieMcD 20-07-2004 23:22
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Krass
...because it is also the place where planes arrive, terminating their trip. :)
Thats not the point! :p

Okay, new one: if you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

I would've asked what the sound of one hand clapping is, but Bart Simpson answered that one pretty well.

Mike Ciance 20-07-2004 23:49
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
What is not the answer to this question?

robot180 21-07-2004 00:25
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
What is the answer to this question?

Mike Ciance 21-07-2004 00:28
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by robot180
What is the answer to this question?
that doesnt really work, because anything you say could, and theoretically based on the nature of the question, would, be the correct answer. with mine there is no possible correct answer.

shamuwong 21-07-2004 00:51
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
What is the definition of time?

sanddrag 21-07-2004 01:09
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Does the light in the refrigerator stay on when you shut the door?

If it is what is was, before it was what it is, what was it before it is what it should have been?

Joe Matt 21-07-2004 09:35
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sanddrag
Does the light in the refrigerator stay on when you shut the door?
Yes, it goes out...
Quote:
If it is what is was, before it was what it is, what was it before it is what it should have been?
Uh..... John-V-Neun!!!!

Zanella BR 21-07-2004 10:23
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shamuwong
What is the definition of time?
Only the time can say...

Adam Y. 21-07-2004 11:22
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
What is the definition of time?
Code:

  1.
        1. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.
        2. An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading.
        3. A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes.
        4. A similar number representing a specific point on this continuum, reckoned in hours and minutes: checked her watch and recorded the time, 6:17 A.M.
        5. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time.
  2.
        1. An interval, especially a span of years, marked by similar events, conditions, or phenomena; an era. Often used in the plural: hard times; a time of troubles.
        2. times The present with respect to prevailing conditions and trends: You must change with the times.
  3. A suitable or opportune moment or season: a time for taking stock of one's life.
  4.
        1. Periods or a period designated for a given activity: harvest time; time for bed.
        2. Periods or a period necessary or available for a given activity: I have no time for golf.
        3. A period at one's disposal: Do you have time for a chat?
  5. An appointed or fated moment, especially of death or giving birth: He died before his time. Her time is near.
  6.
        1. One of several instances: knocked three times; addressed Congress for the last time before retirement.
        2. times Used to indicate the number of instances by which something is multiplied or divided: This tree is three times taller than that one. My library is many times smaller than hers.
  7.
        1. One's lifetime.
        2. One's period of greatest activity or engagement.
        3. A person's experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party.
  8.
        1. A period of military service.
        2. A period of apprenticeship.
        3. Informal. A prison sentence.
  9.
        1. The customary period of work: hired for full time.
        2. The period spent working.
        3. The hourly pay rate: earned double time on Sundays.
  10. The period during which a radio or television program or commercial is broadcast: “There's television time to buy” (Brad Goldstein).
  11. The rate of speed of a measured activity: marching in double time.
  12. Music.
        1. The meter of a musical pattern: three-quarter time.
        2. The rate of speed at which a piece of music is played; the tempo.
  13. Chiefly British. The hour at which a pub closes.
  14. Sports. A time-out.


adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or measuring time.
  2. Constructed so as to operate at a particular moment: a time release.
  3. Payable on a future date or dates.
  4. Of or relating to installment buying: time payments.


tr.v. timed, tim·ing, times

  1. To set the time for (an event or occasion).
  2. To adjust to keep accurate time.
  3. To adjust so that a force is applied or an action occurs at the desired time: timed his swing so as to hit the ball squarely.
  4. To record the speed or duration of: time a runner.
  5. To set or maintain the tempo, speed, or duration of: time a manufacturing process.
Quote:
Does the light in the refrigerator stay on when you shut the door?
It goes out.

Dorienne 21-07-2004 11:39
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Y.
Believe it or not there is an anwser to that. The most credible pshyics say that they can never use their power for their personal gain. They can only use it to help others. Also, most psyhics don't predict the future. They usually have the ability to communicate with the dead
Wow, thanks for informing me! That's pretty interesting.
--d0ri

RudimentaryPeni 21-07-2004 11:46
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
1. If 7-11 is open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?

2. If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?

3. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?

Yan Wang 21-07-2004 11:59
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudimentaryPeni
1. If 7-11 is open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?

2. If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan?

3. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
2 can be answered - google for it (I was curious about it too). I think 3 can too - forget what my textbook says.

hmm...

What is answer to this question?

Travis Hoffman 21-07-2004 12:13
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
How many kilowatt-hours of energy does it take for Karthik's surface grinder to blast away the impenetrable fortress of hairspray, gel, mousse, leave-in conditioner, shellac, and clear coat spray surrounding his actual hair?

The world may never know.

If Karthik sings in the woods, and no one is around to hear him, do the woodland creatures still scream in pain?

Zanella BR 21-07-2004 13:38
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by T. Hoffman
If Karthik sings in the woods, and no one is around to hear him, do the woodland creatures still scream in pain?
I don't know... I had already gone when it had happened...

ElfMaster 21-07-2004 14:26
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
My favorite:

Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?

Zanella BR 21-07-2004 14:28
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Why do the Flinstones celebrate Xmas if they'd lived before Christ?!

Elgin Clock 21-07-2004 14:40
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

How much wood, could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Why do they call them stands if you sit in them?

Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all"?

I used to have a list too...
I'll hunt it down tomorrow if I remember.

Jake177 21-07-2004 14:58
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally posted by T. Hoffman
If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
wouldn't it be something like the sonic boom generated by planes traveling at the speed of sound?

what happens if you get scared half to death twice?

if barnum an bailey's kids wanted to run away from home, would they join corporate america?

Ben Lauer 21-07-2004 16:59
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
I borrowed from a website...crazy thoughts ..

here are some of my Favorites from the site...

Do coffins have lifetime guarantees?

If your sick for one week and on one of those days they had to cancel school because of snow, do you have to make up that day at the end of school?

If masochists like to torture themselves, wouldn't they do it best by not torturing themselves? and if so, aren't we all masochist?

Why does Donald Duck wear a towel when he comes out of the shower, when he doesn't usually wear any pants?

And.... One that we had a hour discussion on in Physics...

What defines a near death experience? What is near death, and what is the experience? And, If you are near death and don't have an experience, did you know that you were not going to die?

-benthos

Mike Ciance 21-07-2004 17:10
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sanddrag
Does the light in the refrigerator stay on when you shut the door?
no, if you have the door open just a crack u can see the light go off before the door is fully closed.

sorry, thats the last time i'll shoot down somebody's question :o

JVN 21-07-2004 17:23
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudimentaryPeni
3. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
Oooooo, relativistic physics! Fun stuff!

I seem to remember this one as:
If you do that, you'll shread the fabric of the universe, because it's not possible ;). No object can go the speed of light, and relativity doesn't apply to speeds approaching c. It's been a few years, and theoretical physics was never my particular cup of tea (it doesn't involve gears... ;)), so correct me if I'm wrong.

Energy is matter, matter is energy. Everything can be expressed as an eV. Wow... that was a fun class. Good times.

John

Karthik 21-07-2004 17:30
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by T. Hoffman
How many kilowatt-hours of energy does it take for Karthik's surface grinder to blast away the impenetrable fortress of hairspray, gel, mousse, leave-in conditioner, shellac, and clear coat spray surrounding his actual hair?

The world may never know.

If Karthik sings in the woods, and no one is around to hear him, do the woodland creatures still scream in pain?
It's a pretty hefty price I pay to have hair this nice.

And Trav, those are screams of joy. The animals shriek, "oh fair karthik, please further indulge us with the beauty that is your voice..."

To stay on topic, here's a favourite of mine:

"A man of Toronto is shaved by the Barber of Toronto if and only if the man does not shave himself. Does the barber shave himself?"

EddieMcD 21-07-2004 17:52
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudimentaryPeni
3. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
The speed of light is constant (although there are some very recent studies saying it isn't, but for this case, we'll apply the common theory). And since time inside the vehicle has actually stopped (although from their point of view, they're moving happily through space), it will appear as though the light is still moving at the speed of light (and it actually is). In fact, from our point of view, the light from the vehicle and the light from the headlights will reach us at the same time, no matter which direction they're facing.

Or, I could just plug the Theory of Relativity in there and say it's impossible to go the speed of light because the energy required to move an object the speed of light would become infinite, but that'd be no fun. :p

Travis Hoffman 21-07-2004 17:57
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karthik

"A man of Toronto is shaved by the Barber of Toronto if and only if the man does not shave himself. Does the barber shave himself?"
He could if he wanted to. The "man of Toronto" is from Toronto, OH USA and the barber is from Toronto, ON Canada. The conditional shaving rule which applies to the American Toronto does not apply to the Canadian city; therefore, the Barber of Toronto, Ontario is free to do as he wishes. Perhaps he should do us all a favor and shave your head? :cool:

JVN 21-07-2004 18:13
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by T. Hoffman
Perhaps he should do us all a favor and shave your head? :cool:
Whoa... whoa whoa.....

That sounds like a fun idea...
File "shave Karthik's head" under -- "Good ideas for 2005 Bets".
I'm sure no one has heard the last of this.

Good one Trav.

Elgin Clock 25-07-2004 07:59
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
More unanswered questions:

Why is the pound sign called the pound sign?

Why is Jesus the only biblical character who has a last name?

Why is it that when you blow at a dog's nose they run away but when you take them for a ride in the car the first thing they do is stick their heads out the window and into the wind?

In Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, didn't you find it disturbing that the Oompa Loompa's didn't wear hair-nets?
(That one came from a cool movie that had a lot of unanswered questions.. But it's rated R, so I'm not going to mention it publicly.. You want to know the movie's name, PM me.)

Jake177 26-07-2004 13:44
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
if a turtle loses its shell, is it homeless or just naked?

hixofthehood 26-07-2004 15:53
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ali_rockon22
If a person comes up to you and says, "Everything I tell you is a lie." Is he lying or telling the truth?
These are some of my favorite logic puzzles. The answer to this most simplest of them all is that the person is lying.

DanL 26-07-2004 17:53
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudimentaryPeni
1. If 7-11 is open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
I was once curious about this, so I went to the local 7-11... turns out there actually weren't any locks on the door.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RudimentaryPeni
3. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
I remember we talked about this in physics once... I forget the equation, but to be traveling at the speed of light would somehow produce a divide-by-zero error (back to the take-an-infinite-amount-of-energy thing brought up before), so its assumed you can travel only below or above the speed of light, but not at.

Astronouth7303 26-07-2004 18:10
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RudimentaryPeni
3. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
Well, assuming you could go the speed of light, I think it'd be kind of like a sonic boom but with light. Also, your headlights would be useless; they'd be another set of tail lights!

Zanella BR 27-07-2004 07:34
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperDanman
I remember we talked about this in physics once... I forget the equation, but to be traveling at the speed of light would somehow produce a divide-by-zero error (back to the take-an-infinite-amount-of-energy thing brought up before), so its assumed you can travel only below or above the speed of light, but not at.
v = (v1+v2)/(1+((v1v2)/c^2))

Special Theory of Relativity!

If v1 = v2 = c (you travelling at the speed of light AND the light), you have a a division by zero, so it's impossible to travel at the speed of light.

Remember: m = m0/(1 - (v^2/c^2))^1/2 (where m0 is the inertial mass)
You'll need a bigger, and bigger, and bigger (...) Energy...


I'd like to know how those guys do that in the movies! :ahh:

EddieMcD 27-07-2004 16:50
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zanella BR
I'd like to know how those guys do that in the movies! :ahh:
Duh! They go faster than light by not actually going faster than light (yay, paradoxes!). :p

Okay, to be serious, a lot are explained as either cutting a hole in space (ala the Einsten-Rosen Bridge, or wormhole), or travelling through time as well as space (when you relize that time slows the closer to C you get). Then there's the occasional "hyper"-space (the ship moves to a different plane, where physics become less effective), folding space (the tesseract, making one place directly next to the other), or warping space (by making the space in front of you smaller so while going the same speed, the distance traveled is less). That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

This is turning into an interesting physics discussion. :)

Elgin Clock 28-07-2004 01:17
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieMcD
This is turning into an interesting physics discussion. :)
The words Interesting and Physics do not belong in the same sentence, unless there is the word NOT before the word Interesting.....


Elgin
(Bitter about physics classes in general - but knows how things should work....:( )

Astronouth7303 28-07-2004 01:36
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elgin Clock
(Bitter about physics classes in general - but knows how things should work....:( )
That is always the thing.

Why does it never work even when eveyone has said it should work?

Zanella BR 29-07-2004 01:42
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieMcD
Okay, to be serious, a lot are explained as either cutting a hole in space (ala the Einsten-Rosen Bridge, or wormhole), or travelling through time as well as space (when you relize that time slows the closer to C you get). Then there's the occasional "hyper"-space (the ship moves to a different plane, where physics become less effective), folding space (the tesseract, making one place directly next to the other), or warping space (by making the space in front of you smaller so while going the same speed, the distance traveled is less). That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
The wormholes are "holes" (duh!) connecting different places/times at the space-time, the physics isn't less efective: it's like a teletransport or time-travel...
Everyone should watch "Timeline"!!! :D

I think "Why does it never work even when eveyone has said it should work?" is THE question... :eek:

Aignam 29-07-2004 12:51
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
How many JVN's does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

(certainly not unanswerable, but it shall yield some interesting responses...)

Joe Matt 29-07-2004 13:06
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aignam
How many JVN's does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

(certainly not unanswerable, but it shall yield some interesting responses...)
6,972

1 to put it in
6,971 to say they are John-V-Neun.

RudimentaryPeni 29-07-2004 15:06
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
I have an unanswerable question.

Where are the weapons of mass destruction?

Jake177 31-07-2004 19:02
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Originally posted by EddieMcD
Okay, to be serious, a lot are explained as either cutting a hole in space (ala the Einsten-Rosen Bridge, or wormhole), or travelling through time as well as space (when you relize that time slows the closer to C you get). Then there's the occasional "hyper"-space (the ship moves to a different plane, where physics become less effective), folding space (the tesseract, making one place directly next to the other), or warping space (by making the space in front of you smaller so while going the same speed, the distance traveled is less). That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
Don't forget the infinite probability drive from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy that travels through every point in time and space at the same time.

Here's a favorite question of mine: Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

Blacknight 31-07-2004 19:50
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
I have an unanswerable question.

Where are the weapons of mass destruction?
They brushed them under the rugs in Saddam's royal palace when the UN inspectors wern't looking..... :rolleyes:

Michelle 236 04-08-2004 20:49
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Why isn't the number 11 pronounced 'onety one'?

Adam Y. 04-08-2004 22:19
Re: Unanswerable Questions!!
 
Quote:
Why isn't the number 11 pronounced 'onety one'?
Why isn't the number 11 pronounced 'onety one'?
Quote:
Where are the weapons of mass destruction?
There somewhere burried underneath the sand.
Quote:
iif a turtle loses its shell, is it homeless or just naked?
It's dead


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