The Cellar - View Single Post - Does the hunter go around the squirrel? Vote and then move on already.

BigV · 01-05-2012, 11:34 AM

Here's what I'm going with:

If you want to talk about this puzzle in terms of geometry, I'll do that with you.

If you want to talk about this puzzle in terms of semantics, specifically what it means to "go around", the original text of the puzzle, I'll do that with you.

In fact, I've tried a number of times to engage in normal conversational tones to do both of these things. I've stated my position on both of them. Summarized: geometry perspective, hunter goes around squirrel; "go around" perspective, depends on what the definition of goes around is (as an aside, I asked this and you dismissed it with a joke about the definition of definition. Fine, I'm ok with a joke. But you didn't answer so I can't proceed with a conversation, I can only proceed with my position).

I used innumerate as a poor analog to illiterate for spatial reasoning. I find the discussion stimulating, as long as it doesn't decay into hostility and stays mostly on topic. I replied to some of your posts respectfully, disagreeing with your usage of some terms, like circumference. Not as a personal attack, but correcting your misuse of the terms. Some terms are less strictly defined, like "go around". I've invited conversation about those terms too, but with less success.

For me, to go around in this kind of situation means to trace a path that is a closed circuit, that the path crosses itself at some point. The shape is not very important but it represents an area, it has an interior. The path can be approximated by a regular polygon (Definition: A number of coplanar line segments, each connected end to end to form a closed shape.) Such a path would create an area that has an inside and an outside. For me, all points, and all objects inside that area have been "gone around". The facing or movement of any object inside is irrelevant, such as the squirrel's motion.

I see this problem as a geometry problem, and as such, it has a simple, single correct answer: Yes.

For those who view this as a different problem, and NOT as a geometry problem, I'd be happy to hear the justifications. But I have rejected the geometrical justifications for a "no" answer, if that's your argument, you'd better be able to show me how.

Maybe you're not innumerate, a poor choice of words as I said. Fine. Maybe you're fluent with geometry, I am pretty fluent in geometry too. I can communicate on those terms. I pretty good with non mathematical english terms too. The point at this point is what is the question. And I see the question as "what does it mean to go around?" What is your answer to that question?

01-05-2012, 11:34 AM	#26
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Here's what I'm going with: If you want to talk about this puzzle in terms of geometry, I'll do that with you. If you want to talk about this puzzle in terms of semantics, specifically what it means to "go around", the original text of the puzzle, I'll do that with you. In fact, I've tried a number of times to engage in normal conversational tones to do both of these things. I've stated my position on both of them. Summarized: geometry perspective, hunter goes around squirrel; "go around" perspective, depends on what the definition of goes around is (as an aside, I asked this and you dismissed it with a joke about the definition of definition. Fine, I'm ok with a joke. But you didn't answer so I can't proceed with a conversation, I can only proceed with my position). I used innumerate as a poor analog to illiterate for spatial reasoning. I find the discussion stimulating, as long as it doesn't decay into hostility and stays mostly on topic. I replied to some of your posts respectfully, disagreeing with your usage of some terms, like circumference. Not as a personal attack, but correcting your misuse of the terms. Some terms are less strictly defined, like "go around". I've invited conversation about those terms too, but with less success. For me, to go around in this kind of situation means to trace a path that is a closed circuit, that the path crosses itself at some point. The shape is not very important but it represents an area, it has an interior. The path can be approximated by a regular polygon (Definition: A number of coplanar line segments, each connected end to end to form a closed shape.) Such a path would create an area that has an inside and an outside. For me, all points, and all objects inside that area have been "gone around". The facing or movement of any object inside is irrelevant, such as the squirrel's motion. I see this problem as a geometry problem, and as such, it has a simple, single correct answer: Yes. For those who view this as a different problem, and NOT as a geometry problem, I'd be happy to hear the justifications. But I have rejected the geometrical justifications for a "no" answer, if that's your argument, you'd better be able to show me how. Maybe you're not innumerate, a poor choice of words as I said. Fine. Maybe you're fluent with geometry, I am pretty fluent in geometry too. I can communicate on those terms. I pretty good with non mathematical english terms too. The point at this point is what is the question. And I see the question as "what does it mean to go around?" What is your answer to that question? __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.