"Bit Parts" - May 7, 2021

A place to discuss the weekly Wall Street Journal Crossword Puzzle Contest, starting every Thursday around 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Please do not post any answers or hints before the contest deadline which is midnight Sunday Eastern time.
Locked
Ergcat
Posts: 762
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2020 8:12 pm
Location: Seneca SC

#361

Post by Ergcat »

Scraps wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 4:01 pm In my view, anyone who wants to submit may submit, regardless of whether the solution was reached via nudge, Google, or phoning a friend.

The expected monetary value of a correct contest submission is less than one cent (1/1000 chance times $10 value of mug).

One cent isn't worth worrying about.
Fairly new here ... I have a question about the coveted mug. If perchance I ever win one, is it common practice to let my fellow muggles know that I won ....or is humility and keeping that secret the better route ?? 😜
sf592000
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 8:08 pm
Location: Florida

#362

Post by sf592000 »

SReh26 wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:16 pm
sf592000 wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:13 pm We’ll after a solid streak of at least recognizing the mechanism, I’m solidly at sea. Perhaps the oft mentioned “second shot” haze has claimed another victim as I received mine on Thursday afternoon. Anyone willing to give a nudge is greatly appreciated!
At your service. I know the least of anyone here, but I know this one!
Appreciate the nudge. Onshore! -- but not submitting :)
User avatar
Joe Ross
Moderator
Posts: 5004
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 4:46 am
Location: Cincinnati

#363

Post by Joe Ross »

Ergcat wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:38 pm
Scraps wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 4:01 pm In my view, anyone who wants to submit may submit, regardless of whether the solution was reached via nudge, Google, or phoning a friend.

The expected monetary value of a correct contest submission is less than one cent (1/1000 chance times $10 value of mug).

One cent isn't worth worrying about.
Fairly new here ... I have a question about the coveted mug. If perchance I ever win one, is it common practice to let my fellow muggles know that I won ....or is humility and keeping that secret the better route ?? 😜
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS & MAKE IT YOUR ICON!

Trust me: Nobody here will criticize you in the least. 🙂
Whole blood, platelets, or plasma: Donate 4 in 2024

PLATELET 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 ENORMOUS 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲:
𝟰𝟬% 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰,
𝟯𝟬% 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰,
𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 & 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮. 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘!
User avatar
John77
Posts: 156
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 12:09 pm
Location: New Jersey

#364

Post by John77 »

SReh26 wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 3:57 pm
DrTom wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 3:49 pm
Horsesense wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 11:22 am Ashore.

I didn’t see anyone mention another “nudge rule”...

“If you receive a ‘nudge’ or ‘check’ then please do not submit an answer”
Well my feeling is that if you get a “check” (I.e. your mechanism and answer is correct) then You did solve and SHOULD submit. If you were REALLY close and the check or nudges made it clear enough to submit the you should. If the nudge/check moved you 180 degrees or more then no because submitting at that point doesn’t really represent your thoughts but rather your budgers thoughts, if you Do submit you must include THAT you got help though not WHO helped.
An economist should study this situation. Hundreds of people devoting considerable brainpower, time and attention to this frustrating torture, hoping to win something costing at best around 59 cents.

Clearly, monetary reward isn’t motivating us. Glory seems to be at least part of it. Community. Challenge. Meaning. Self regard. Fame??? I’m the first to say, the feeling when you get it right on your own - which Ive only done once, mind you, since I’m obviously new here - is priceless!

I’m hooked by the way, this is not a criticism.
I do make a nonquantitative marginal utility calculation after completing the grid, when approaching the meta. And I'm starting to wait until Sunday to start the grid, which helps me avoid obsessing until the end of the weekend.

Besides, if you wait until the last minute to do something, it only takes a minute.

Cheers to all.
Wir sind zu früh alt und zu spät schlau.
Michelle B
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 12:19 am

#365

Post by Michelle B »

I'm ashore just in time for a pre-dinner cocktail. I was lost at sea since Friday, had to resort to reference materials to complete the grid, which hasn't happened in a very long time. On to the meta...and nothing. In between tax return reviews today, I took another look, and found my toehold to the what-I-hope-is-the correct answer. Now I have to go fill in all of the rabbit holes lest I hurt myself.
Last edited by Michelle B on Sun May 09, 2021 6:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Wendy Walker
Posts: 1701
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 7:44 pm
Location: Unionville, PA

#366

Post by Wendy Walker »

Joe Ross wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:47 pm
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS & MAKE IT YOUR ICON!

Trust me: Nobody here will criticize you in the least. 🙂
Joe speaks my mind!
Attachments
Wendy Mug Shot 1 (2).jpg
Good luck, fellow Muggles!
User avatar
SReh26
Posts: 763
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 10:48 pm

#367

Post by SReh26 »

Wendy Walker wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 6:08 pm
Joe Ross wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:47 pm
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS & MAKE IT YOUR ICON!

Trust me: Nobody here will criticize you in the least. 🙂
Joe speaks my mind!
EPIC!
(a word you all know from the crosswords)
User avatar
Scott Lindholm
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2019 12:28 pm

#368

Post by Scott Lindholm »

An opossum--my daughter will be extremely jealous (I just texted your response and pic to her), since that's what she likes seeing the most.
Janet P wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 10:58 am
Scott Lindholm wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 8:27 pm First time on shore in about a month, so it'll be crowded. I'm vaccinated, so you can have a beer or ten with me.

And, fresh from the wilds of urban Chicago...
My daughter moved from the urban wilds of The Windy City (first Skokie, then the Ravenswood neighborhood) to the southern urban wilds of St. Petersburg, Florida. She kept hearing noises in the crawl space under her house and set up a webcam. This is the first she's seen of her guests during daylight!Alma's possums.png
User avatar
anaerobe
Posts: 73
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:11 am
Location: OK

#369

Post by anaerobe »

John77 wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:52 pm Besides, if you wait until the last minute to do something, it only takes a minute.
Your logic takes me back to my college years. With the start of each new semester, I reasoned: The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up!
mikeh
Posts: 17
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 5:47 pm

#370

Post by mikeh »

It's been a few weeks since I've checked in with the contest, but on shore for this one!
JeanneC
Posts: 616
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 11:25 am
Location: Florida

#371

Post by JeanneC »

And now for something completely different!

I was doing the weekend crossword thinking I had finished all sections of the paper. However, after taking a break on the weekend puzzle, I turned the page over and saw an article on a book titled “A Mathematician’s Apology” by GH Hardy. What I found interesting and, perhaps, apropos of muggledom was the following from the review:”How then to describe mathematical aesthetics? Hardy suggested similarities with chess (‘even if it is a beauty of a comparatively lowly kind’), bridge or, ‘descending further’ wIth ‘the puzzle columns of the popular newspapers’. A dazzling endgame, an elegant slam or an intricate crossword—these are as near as we may approach Hardy’s transporting ideal of mathematical beauty”.

I like this guy Hardy! 😁
“I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year’s fashions”. Lillian Hellman
User avatar
BarbaraK
Posts: 2592
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 2:37 pm
Location: Virginia

#372

Post by BarbaraK »

Ergcat wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:38 pm
Fairly new here ... I have a question about the coveted mug. If perchance I ever win one, is it common practice to let my fellow muggles know that I won ....or is humility and keeping that secret the better route ?? 😜
The next best thing to winning is seeing a fellow muggle win. Yes, tell us! Let us all celebrate with you.
User avatar
mheberlingx100
Posts: 517
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:39 am

#373

Post by mheberlingx100 »

anaerobe wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 6:47 pm
John77 wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:52 pm Besides, if you wait until the last minute to do something, it only takes a minute.
Your logic takes me back to my college years. With the start of each new semester, I reasoned: The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up!
I am reminded of the Pennsylvania Dutch phrase (more by sentence construction than meaning) - The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.
User avatar
mheberlingx100
Posts: 517
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:39 am

#374

Post by mheberlingx100 »

Joe Ross wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:47 pm
Ergcat wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 5:38 pm
Scraps wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 4:01 pm In my view, anyone who wants to submit may submit, regardless of whether the solution was reached via nudge, Google, or phoning a friend.

The expected monetary value of a correct contest submission is less than one cent (1/1000 chance times $10 value of mug).

One cent isn't worth worrying about.
Fairly new here ... I have a question about the coveted mug. If perchance I ever win one, is it common practice to let my fellow muggles know that I won ....or is humility and keeping that secret the better route ?? 😜
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS & MAKE IT YOUR ICON!

Trust me: Nobody here will criticize you in the least. 🙂
My way of thinking - each week a thousand or more people will successfully solve the meta. So if you win the coveted mug from a random draw of over a thousand people, you will not be bragging about your puzzle solving ability, but celebrating your good fortune. I say, celebrate as loudly as you want!
User avatar
KscX
Posts: 234
Joined: Sat May 02, 2020 12:09 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

#375

Post by KscX »

Ashore but OOOOF. This one hurts. I got there after a conference with my puzzle pod but only give myself 1/2 credit, AND THUS, by self-imposed reality... I am considering my streak broken. I attribute it to travel on the weekend, the stress of tax season, and it was just time for the bubble to burst. So this one is a 3/5 star for me! But next time- NEXT TIME- I’ve got this particular mechanism. 😑🙂
User avatar
HunterX
Posts: 1163
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:17 pm
Location: Philadelphia, PA

#376

Post by HunterX »

DrTom wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 3:49 pm
... If the nudge/check moved you 180 degrees or more then no because submitting at that point doesn’t really represent your thoughts but rather your budgers thoughts, if you Do submit you must include THAT you got help though not WHO helped.
So, more than 180 degrees, don't submit? What if... um... that 'more' made it 360 and you're right back where you started?

As McCoy said in the original Star Trek, "I'm a DOCTOR, not a mathematician!"

I don't know that he said that.
User avatar
anaerobe
Posts: 73
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:11 am
Location: OK

#377

Post by anaerobe »

JeanneC wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 6:53 pm And now for something completely different!

I was doing the weekend crossword thinking I had finished all sections of the paper. However, after taking a break on the weekend puzzle, I turned the page over and saw an article on a book titled “A Mathematician’s Apology” by GH Hardy. What I found interesting and, perhaps, apropos of muggledom was the following from the review:”How then to describe mathematical aesthetics? Hardy suggested similarities with chess (‘even if it is a beauty of a comparatively lowly kind’), bridge or, ‘descending further’ wIth ‘the puzzle columns of the popular newspapers’. A dazzling endgame, an elegant slam or an intricate crossword—these are as near as we may approach Hardy’s transporting ideal of mathematical beauty”.

I like this guy Hardy! 😁
I read that article too. It reminded me of grad school-we wanted our work to be described as Elegant. An elegant experiment would provide an explanation that was exacting and precise, meaning fewer/simple words were better than many/complex words. However, that explanation would also be powerfully descriptive and even a bit clever. Some of these puzzles seem impossible until the answer presents itself, then I wonder how I didn't see it all along. They also seem to have both art and science: art in that they require imagination and the more you do them the better you get, science in that there are rules to follow and tools to use.

I think I like Hardy too...and crosswords....and Monty Python!
User avatar
Tom Shea
Posts: 598
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 6:37 am
Location: Freedonia, NH/VT/HI/Earth

#378

Post by Tom Shea »

Scott Lindholm wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 6:35 pm An opossum--my daughter will be extremely jealous (I just texted your response and pic to her), since that's what she likes seeing the most.
Janet P wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 10:58 am
Scott Lindholm wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 8:27 pm First time on shore in about a month, so it'll be crowded. I'm vaccinated, so you can have a beer or ten with me.

And, fresh from the wilds of urban Chicago...
My daughter moved from the urban wilds of The Windy City (first Skokie, then the Ravenswood neighborhood) to the southern urban wilds of St. Petersburg, Florida. She kept hearing noises in the crawl space under her house and set up a webcam. This is the first she's seen of her guests during daylight!Alma's possums.png
American marsupial
Rufus T. Firefly
User avatar
anaerobe
Posts: 73
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:11 am
Location: OK

#379

Post by anaerobe »

HunterX wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 7:57 pm
DrTom wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 3:49 pm
... If the nudge/check moved you 180 degrees or more then no because submitting at that point doesn’t really represent your thoughts but rather your budgers thoughts, if you Do submit you must include THAT you got help though not WHO helped.
So, more than 180 degrees, don't submit? What if... um... that 'more' made it 360 and you're right back where you started?
You would return 'right back where you started' only if we exist in a hypertoros universe (see image). I believe the consensus is that the universe does not exhibit such a closed hypersurface topology, rather it is likely flat and extends to infinity.
0_FrY_4tZvVTjXvCeR.jpg
I could go on, but I seem to have developed a sudden, inexplicable craving for some Dunkin'.....
User avatar
Bob cruise director
Cruise Director
Posts: 4512
Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:38 pm
Location: Any golf course within 500 miles of Littleton MA

#380

Post by Bob cruise director »

Scraps wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 3:49 pm Was on a literal boat when the puzzle came out Thursday. Disembarked yesterday. Arrived home this afternoon.
Obviously, the meta commanded my attention before the two week's worth of unread mail. Ashore. Fun puzzle.
If you are like me, even this meta took longer than sorting and throwing out two weeks worth of mail.
Bob Stevens
Cruise Director
Locked