Microsoft Logic (parody of old logic puzzle)

After a long journey you reach a fork in the road. One fork leads to the Microsoft Corporation, the other fork leads to Utopia. A man stands at the fork in the road with a Microsoft Windows packaging box stuck on his head, but you don't know whether he is a truth-teller, a liar, or Bill Gates. If you are allowed to ask only one question, what would it be?

The question is: What am I supposed to do?

No question suffices by itself. Proof: suppose there were some question that allows you to determine which path leads to Utopia, even if you happen to be talking to Bill Gates. Then there would be a range of responses that would lead you to pick the left path, and another range that would lead you to the right. But Bill, knowing your expectations and being as perfect a logician as you, would say whatever it takes to lead you astray (i.e., to Microsoft).

Solution: the problem said you only get one question. It didn't say that you can't rip the box off the person's head first. If it's Bill, you're screwed: you might as well guess. Otherwise, the standard rec.puzzles method applies ('which path would your opposite tell me to take?'.

Jim Ferry Center for Simulation

Arrive to Utopia, I guess.

To get around this, phrase the question in such a way that it indicates that you wish to go to Microsoft Corporation. Preceding it with 'Hey, cool, is Office XP out' helps. Then go the other way.

Alternatively, phrase the question in such a way that Bill Gates will be motivated to send you elsewhere. Indicating that you have a bomb in your backpack with which you intend to destroy Microsoft headquarters might help.

'Why do I have to click a button labeled 'START' to shut off my computer?'

I think asking 'where _do_ I want to go today?' and then doing the opposite would work. After all, they've yet to get that one right

- Michael

G'day all.

I'd put on a Finnish accent and say:

'Hi, my name is Linus Torvalds. If you were the opposite kind of person, which road would tell me to go down to get to Utopia?'

Cheers, Andrew Bromage

Hah. OK, next put on a Yankee accent and say: 'Hi, my name is Steve Jobs. If you were the opposite kind of person, where could I get a copy of the copied design I copied from a famous copier