Thought Experiments

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💡 Thought Experiments 💡

Welcome to the realm of "what ifs"! This community is dedicated to exploring thought experiments – hypothetical scenarios designed to probe our understanding of fundamental concepts in ethics, psychology, science, physics, philosophy, and more. Here, we grapple with the big questions by examining the implications of often outlandish situations. 🤔

What is a Thought Experiment?

A thought experiment isn't just idle speculation. It's a structured exploration of a hypothetical scenario, carefully crafted to isolate and examine a specific principle. Think of it as a mental laboratory where we can test our intuitions and assumptions without the constraints of the real world. 🧪 Classic examples include the Trolley Problem, the Ship of Theseus, and Schrödinger's Cat. 🐈

What We Discuss Here:

Ethical Dilemmas: Exploring moral quandaries and the frameworks we use to make decisions. Is it ever justifiable to sacrifice one person to save others? ⚖️ Where do our moral obligations lie?
Psychological Insights: Delving into the complexities of human behavior and cognition. How do our minds work in extreme situations? 🧠 What are the limits of our perception and understanding?
Scientific Frontiers: Pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge through hypothetical scenarios. What are the implications of faster-than-light travel? 🚀 How can we understand the nature of consciousness?
Philosophical Ponderings: Contemplating the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and knowledge. What is the meaning of life? 🌌 What is the nature of free will?

Community Guidelines:

Respectful Discourse: Engage in thoughtful and respectful discussion, even when dealing with controversial topics. Disagreement is encouraged, but personal attacks and inflammatory language will not be tolerated. 🙏
Focus on the Experiment: Keep the discussion focused on the thought experiment itself and the underlying principles it explores. Avoid getting bogged down in tangential arguments. 🎯
Explain Your Reasoning: Clearly articulate your reasoning and the logic behind your conclusions. Don't just state your opinion; explain why you hold it. 💡
Have Fun! Thought experiments are meant to be engaging and thought-provoking. Enjoy the process of exploring these hypothetical worlds and challenging your own assumptions. 🎉

Welcome, and let the thought experiments begin! 🚀

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100k Players Pick A Number 1-1000: What Number Avoids Elimination? (lemmyusa.com)

submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Imagine a game with 100,000 participants. Each person must choose a whole number between 1 and 1,000. The goal? To be the only person to choose your specific number. Anyone who chooses the same numbers will be eliminated.

So, what number do you choose to maximize your chances of being the sole survivor?

This isn't a simple guessing game. It's a fascinating puzzle that blends probability and a bit of game theory.

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[–] ObsidianZed 4 points 6 days ago

I read somewhere that in public restrooms with multiple stalls, the second stall is often the most used because most people tend to assume that the first stall is the most used and therefore less clean.

So, 1.

But seriously, I like this thought experiment and would love to see real data or math, but I'm sure there are just too many variables. Add a few more digits and you're basically talking about the lottery.