News & views

So you think you’re smart

November 28, 2009 from the Globe and Mail – “Bob is in a bar, looking at Susan, who is looking at Pablo. Bob is married. Pablo is not. Is a married person looking at an unmarried person? a) Yes b) No c) Cannot be determined Most people get the problem wrong because they tend to be “cognitive misers” – they put as little mental effort as possible into solving a problem… they quickly jump to a conclusion… If Susan is married, then a married person is looking at an unmarried person (Pablo). If she is single, then Bob, a married […]

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The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The […]

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