talkmagic.co.uk

by **shaneking** » May 4th, '07, 21:31

Q. This is a question. Answer it.

(This was a question posed on an entrant exam into Oxford University about 20 years ago. Have a stab at it !)

by **sleightlycrazy** » May 4th, '07, 22:51

It...

by **shaneking** » May 4th, '07, 22:54

I like that one ! After a few more responses I'll let you know what colleague responded with. It either failed or got an "A".

by **Demitri** » May 4th, '07, 23:00

by **shaneking** » May 4th, '07, 23:06

So the seemingly perfect answer was " This is an answer. Mark it"

Enough frivolity....on with the majic !

by **dat8962** » May 4th, '07, 23:07

by **Demitri** » May 4th, '07, 23:13

How is that the perfect answer? Was this actually a question, or is this just another urban legend?

by **shaneking** » May 4th, '07, 23:17

I'm not fully understanding the last two posts but basically, the question was "this is a question. Answer it" and someone answered "this is an answer, mark it".

It *may* be an urban legend, to be honest. Hey, its fun ! The answer does seem to be the perfect response.

Any other responses to the "question" would be gratefully received !!

by **Demitri** » May 4th, '07, 23:31

shaneking wrote:So the seemingly perfect answer was " This is an answer. Mark it.

You said this was, seemingly, the perfect answer. I'm just wondering why you thought so.

by **The Keymaster** » May 4th, '07, 23:52

shaneking wrote:Q. This is a question. Answer it.

F*** Y**

I dont like being told what to do :lol:

by **shaneking** » May 5th, '07, 00:06

Hey Keymaster,

No need to be disrespectful. Anyway, moving swiftly on...

Demitri,

Well it seems a perfect mirror to the question

"This is a question" responded with "this is an answer"

and "Answer it" responded with "Mark it".

Surely this is either perfect or just fatuous !

by **JackWright** » May 5th, '07, 10:55

The Keymaster was only providing an answer, not being disrespectful.

Anyway, I like Demitri's answer of '42'. After all, it is the answer to life, the universe and everything (presumeably incuding this question).

by **Tomo** » May 5th, '07, 11:19

shaneking wrote:Q. This is a question. Answer it.

Questions are a burden to others, answers are a prison for one's self... :wink:

by **The Keymaster** » May 5th, '07, 12:05

shaneking wrote:Hey Keymaster,

No need to be disrespectful. Anyway, moving swiftly on...

Thats just my answer for the examiner buddy

I wouldnt really put that though, i'd probably put

Is it? it seems more like a statement and a request to me!

p.s THATS a question.You can tell because it has one of those little thingys "?"

by **Strike** » May 5th, '07, 14:55

I think Keymaster has the right idea here. Although I would probably right an A4 side of explaining how the question is a paradox.

As the question is not really a question it becomes impossible to answer it, but in saying that I have answered the question, which was never really there. Or have I merely responded to a statement?

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