The Empty Warehouse Puzzle
Rosco “Madman” Bomboski is a professional demolisher. He has bombs connected to two empty warehouses. Madman has just kidnapped you and taken you to a remote location. He has your hands tied behind you, and you are seated in an uncomfortable wooden chair. Madman approaches you holding two separate switches.
“Your choices are simple,” Madman sneers. “You have 15 seconds to say something to me that will get me to not demolish these warehouses. Just know, if you stay absolutely silent, I will push the switch in my left hand, which will destroy Warehouse A. And if you utter a single word to me, no matter what that word is, I will push the switch in my right hand, destroying Warehouse B. But I’m not completely crazy. There is something you can do that will make me not demolish either building. So, what do you have to say for yourself?”
What do you do to prevent either warehouse from demolition?
SpicePuppy on Dec 26, 2007 - 11:46 am
Is the puzzle related to this cryptic Zen koan?
One day Tokusan told his student Ganto, “I have two monks who have been here for many years. Go and examine them.” Ganto picked up an ax and went to the hut where the two monks were meditating. He raised the ax, saying, “If you say a word I will cut off your heads, and if you do not say a word, I will also cut off your heads.”
Both monks continued their meditation as if he had not spoken. Ganto dropped the ax and said, “You are true Zen students.” He returned to Tokusan and related the incident. “I see your side well,” Tokusan agreed, “but tell me, how is their side?” “Tozan may admit them,” replied Ganto, “but they should not be admitted under Tokusan.”
SpicePuppy on Dec 26, 2007 - 11:49 am
How about sneezing? That way you’re not “absolutely silent,” but you didn’t “utter a single word.”
Landon on Dec 27, 2007 - 7:14 am
Exactly right, SpicePuppy! The real problem is to figure out how to make a sound without speaking any words.
I hadn’t heard of Ganto’s Axe before, but it very nicely fits into the theme of the puzzle.