h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Challenges Aren't Fun - A87887461
Author: ZildoggoX - U15002385

There wasn't an option for Collaborative Writing Workshop, so I'll post here and see what is made of it...

I'll check again when suitably merry.

Hi ZildoggoX

Good to see this in Peer Review I like the concept of the Entry, as it is thought provoking to analyse challenges, and I like your logical approach.

In relation to the challenge of tying someone in a sack, I'm not quite clear about the participants - the person A asks another person B to challenge A to escape from a sack, is that right?

It is really like someone challenging themself. I'll edit the text to be clear when I get a chance. The subject I think is vague, who is challenging and who finds it so. Yet it is a common concept.

I see you've edited this so the structure has been strengthened I like it.

I can visualise Variation 1 and see how it matches the table Do you want to include the pain/pleasure variable in the table somehow?

In Variation 2, I'm thinking that because of the surprise element, A wins (whereas in the previous version either A or B win) and the pain/pleasure variable is mixed.

In Variation 3, I'm not quite clear about what "A's peace of mind is gone as before" means.

In Variation 4, is there a winner?

In Variation 5, is that similar to 3 again, but A knows not just that B is a good fighter, but that B is a better fighter?

I see how Variation 6, 7 and 8 match the table and find it darkly amusing how B wins in 7! I like Variation 10 as well!

I'm not sure in Variation 12 about who is the good fighter - is A overconfident about their abilities?

Thank you. I decided to remove the other example (person in a sack) for clarity. That was described in a Derren Brown TV series episode, and shows a challenging situation broken down into different skills, and mitigation of risks.

I'll print out what you've said and will have a chance on Sunday to clarify.

Something for anyone to elaborate on, or other situations, and needing no introduction:

Expert swordsman eagerly challenges Indiana Jones to a deadly dual. Discuss.

Other factors depicted in the film are important, as are relevant thoughts on this.

When it comes to Indiana Jones, I tend to agree with Harrison Ford, who wearily inquired of the director, 'Why can't I just shoot the <bleep?'

This is a lively entry, and fun for us. Thanks for writing it!

One nitpick: 'dual' should be 'duel'.

Cheers for that.

It is important also - there are certain areas believed to be beyond understanding, but they aren't. Is the word 'infallible'?

One I was thinking of then is music, when used as a language... someone saying "music is on a level so deep we can't understand it".

I think that's just imprecise language. To me, what they mean is, 'Music can describe feelings for which words are often inadequate.' Don't you think?

Anyway, since the purpose of being in PR is to get the guide entry ready, maybe somebody will come along with more writing suggestions.

I think words can describe this, and Poe made a good point about it. On what I said exactly, and simply, is that the communication that it is - mimicry of natural sounds, and of conditioned sounds. Important we do not let anyone put understanding out of reach! But it does need to go in a separate discussion.

Thanks for the feedback. I've changed some of the text to clarify, and have the following points to add or add also here:

A winner is not always important in these situations. Pain/pleasure changes especially when deception is involved.

In Variation 12 'A' is stated as the better fighter. B finds it almost straight forward, falling that is. No overconfidence in that one. I've added a few more dots to the end of that description.

Variation 7 might be Douglasly inspired (is that a new term?).

I've improved the text and drawn a conclusion for this. The text formatting is difficult though, as it shows in a code form only at the moment.

On an old PC I can edit this easily. On a Windows 10 one I can't see it correctly. Typical.

If ZildoggoX doesn't reply by 1st March I suspect .
Unless we get a reply I'll propose Back to Entry.

<BB<

Anyone willing to second Back to Entry?

<BB<

Sure.