Newsgroups: rec.arts.int-fiction
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From: rbryan@netcom.com (The Essential Addition)
Subject: Mathematics and puzzles -- No Comparison
Message-ID: <rbryanCxq7n2.CCB@netcom.com>
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 1994 18:06:37 GMT
Lines: 52

I recently read a stimulating rebuttal from DMB involving the nature and
art of Interactive Fiction.  After giving it some thought, I figured I'd
refute it.
 
Dave Bagget:
 
> [Solving puzzles is] indeed fascinating and fun, but if it is art, then
> proving mathematical truths is art too.  Perhaps mathematics *is* art in
> some sense, but certainly not in the same way that literature or painting or
> music is.  And I don't see the potential for intellectual stimulation in IF
> that mathematics has demonstrated it has.
 
I won't get into the fact that I've never found mathematical truths to be
fascinating or fun, but as there is no shortage of math majors out there
I recognize that this can be true for many people.
 
Unlike mathematical proofs, the process of solving puzzles (in IF in
particular) requires both the creative use of imagination and the applied
use of deduction -- in other words, both sides of the brain are at work.
Except on the advanced theoretical side (fractal study, advanced work
with imaginary numbers, chaos theory, etc.), mathematics is primarily
left-sided.  This is a significant difference which should be considered.
 
Let's create a simple puzzle.  Sierra made the "get X, give X to A in
return for Y, give Y to B in return for Z" puzzle a staple for their
interactive fiction.  So let's say that I want to get Z from B. It then
follows that if B wants Y, he will give me Z in exchange.  However, since
A is holding Y, I must use the same logic.  Y wants X, so I assume that
A will give me Y in return for X.  Therefore, to get Z, I first have to
find X.  QED.  Deductive reasoning.
 
Of course, B is an ogre who can't understand a word I say.  I notice
that the ogre is holding a bouquet of dying roses and pacing about
nervously, so maybe he has a date.  Didn't A, that annoying platypus,
have a heart-shaped box of chocolates in his nest?  Maybe I should help
him out with that channel surfing problem and find him a copy of TV Guide!
Of course, this is NOT deductive reasoning at work.  We only know what
each character wants by observing their actions.  This is insight into
the thoughts of the game's characters.  [Ignore the fact that this is a
poor puzzle -- it just came off the top of my head]
 
OK, so hopefully this demonstrates the difference between mathematics and
puzzles.  I only refute it because I notice that Dave really enjoys this
Rubik's Cube / Mathematics analogy, and I figured I'd try to force him
to think up something new.
 

-- 

| "I drank what?"          The Essential Addition         "Dave, I'm feeling |
|      - Socrates            rbryan@ netcom.com            much better now." |
|                  [PRISM I: Firegods Coming in November]        - HAL, 2001 |
