Riddle: Which would you prefer?

[AdrianB]

A short riddle adapted from thoughts from Lewis Carrol

Which would you prefer, a clock which is right twice a day or a clock which is right only once a day and why?

[Hopper]

If it were a watch i'd go right twice a day. That would mean that it is not working at all, therefore it could mean that it needs new batteries. If it's only right once a day, then the timing mechanism is stuffed. It is still running but the mechanism which keeps the time is stuffed, this is usually harder to fix than replacing a battery.

[Zub Zub]

Hmm Aint they the same thing but one is a 24 hour clock?

[Stacey]

A clock that is right only once a day -- It would just need it's timing speeded up. It's running slow.

The clock that is right twice a day is broken.

Do I get the cookie?

[Applehead57]

I don't see much point in this, but I like it.
It's this kind of non-typical thinking that makes us grow.

[GeezerGeek]

Once a day means that it is right all day long.

[blendingnoise]

I dunno I usually prefer to turn the cold water up when that happens.










:)

[AdrianB]

Which is better, a clock that is right only once a year, or a clock that is right twice every day?
'The latter,' you reply, '"unquestionably.' Very good, now attend.
I have two clocks: one doesn't go at all, and the other loses a minute a day: which would you prefer? 'The losing one,' you answer, 'without a doubt.' Now observe: the one which loses a minute a day has to lose twelve hours, or seven hundred and twenty minutes before it is right again, consequently it is only right once in two years, whereas the other is evidently right as often as the time it points to comes round, which happens twice a day.
So you've contradicted yourself once.
'Ah, but,' you say, 'what's the use of its being right twice a day, if I can't tell when the time comes?' Why, suppose the clock points to eight o'clock, don't you see that the clock is right at eight o'clock? Consequently, when eight o'clock comes round your clock is right.
'Yes, I see that,' you reply.
Very good, then you've contradicted yourself twice: now get out of the difficulty as best you can, and don't contradict yourself again if you can help it.
You might go on to ask, 'How am I to know when eight o'clock does come? My clock will not tell me.' Be patient: you know that when eight o'clock comes your clock is right, very good; then your rule is this: keep your eye fixed on your clock, and the very moment it is right it will be eight o'clock. 'But—,' you say. There, that'll do; the more you argue the farther you get from the point, so it will be as well to stop.

Lewis Carroll: ca. 1850 In: The Rectory Umbrella, M.S. First published 1898.

[hi565]

Brain....has.....Exaploded....cant....get....problem......must....self...distruct.... :crash:

[hi565]

Good nihgt all...

[Stacey]

Phhhhhhttttt..... I'll take my atomic clock thank you very much.