"Why Not" September 27, 2024

[tommy]

I'd like to ask what the general consensus is on submitting if one has received a nudge. I've thought about it and I could see arguments for both sides...

[Joe Ross]

I'd like to ask what the general consensus is on submitting if one has received a nudge. I've thought about it and I could see arguments for both sides...

I hope you get a lot of replies and nobody feels the need to keep their opinions to themselves.

IMO, the consensus is that nudges are okay. They are for me. It's up to the individual to submit, or not. Many don't if they feel they'd have no chance to solve without help, or if they were "dragged onto the beach," but it's up to the individual.

From a moderator's stance, we draw the line at muggles posting personal criticisms of other muggles, whether individuals or groups. Accusations of others "cheating" will be deleted. Persistent accusations or abuse will cause removal from the site. This is extremely rare, as 99.99% of muggles are friendly. In short, nobody should tell others how to have fun.

Group solving, if you haven't tried it, can be fun. Families, friends, and former strangers - in the case of the Friday afternoon and Sunday evening Zoom Solving Crews - form alliances that may be for weekly solving or for the occasional difficult meta.

FWIW, both Mike Miller & Mike Shenk of the WSJ Puzzles team do not care if people get help in solving. I'm too lazy to find the archived video we have on this site to prove it, but it exists.

Matt Gaffney, who creates 50% of the WSJ Contest Crosswords and publishes his own contest crossword weekly, allows for both solo solving or group solving on his contest crossword submission form.

[whimsy]

@Joe Ross -- Love your bolded comment!

And @tommy -- Whether to submit? I say Why Not?

[tommy]

Thank you Joe for the prompt and detailed reply!

Many don't if they feel they'd have no chance to solve without help, or if they were "dragged onto the beach," but it's up to the individual.

I think this is quite reasonable, though of course I won't fault anyone who does otherwise. In my specific case this week, both nudges pointed my attention to a path I had considered previously, so I feel more comfortable submitting. Thanks again for setting my mind at ease.

[Joe Ross]

As I write this, I am watching a 3-truck utility crew from Kansas City, Missouri, reattach electricity to two of my neighbors' homes in Cincinnati, Ohio. I'm impressed how utilities nationwide step up to help each other. If you'll allow the analogy, this isn't unlike muggles worldwide helping new muggles learn the ropes of meta solving.

[Required_ransom]

Solved! And speaking of nudges, I did it thanks to a hint from DrTom. Clever and elegant puzzle!

[JeffS]

Ashore!

[wescovington]

Since the topic of nudges was broached, I would appreciate one and pay the person back with the greatest gift of all: my appreciation.

[Wendy Walker]

Sunday Report

Thank you to @Joe Ross for ably addressing that old, old question of whether it's OK to submit if you received a nudge. It is absolutely OK and it's completely up to each person's conscience.

And that having been said, the Last Call Zoom solve is approaching at 8 p.m. EST in the Muggle Zoom Room.

Spotted this while perusing the Halloween costumes aisle in the Megalo-Mart last night and had to chuckle:

And here's the ship/shore update:

Declaring himself on ship: femullen

And reaching the shore:

LibbyPibby
Beleaguered Castle
Oxford Comma Mamma
Qmark
Bob Cruise Director
auee89
HunterX
Ann
rjy
Deb F
JakeDaSnake1112
Secret Adversary
Alvibu67
BreeZynCO
Jimbo1
Whimsy
Cindy N
b4alltime
Beth C
Ben B
Girl Sleuth
Pfarr324
CdnMG
FatJack
Tommy
Required_ransom
JeffS

[Susan Goldberg]

So,I have had frustrations similar to @ladybird and @whimsy but they both seem to have made it to shore, while I have not. My only excuse is that I am in Scotland, where the golf is as vexing as the meta.

[sheilaco]

How do I join the discord?

https://discord.gg/Cww8KbZx

[DrTom]

Couldn't resist:

[DrTom]

I had the methodology but could not close the deal until I got nudged out of the rut I was in. Or perhaps it was the trip to the vineyard here in France.

Robert Stevens 24Sep28 7D Mark II 3732-2.jpg

On the shore but sitting on a boat in the Rhone River

Ummm - good Brouilly!

Glad to hear you are at river and not at sea!

[Hidden in 3D]

I'm still on the ship! I've got seven letters, but that's about it. Guess my meta-solving skills are rusty because, until this weekend, I haven't even looked at a crossword puzzle since the beginning of September. Mr. Hidden and I recently returned from the trip of a lifetime to Spain. Here we are at The Alhambra.

[otlaolap]

Once again floating peacefully with Isaac.

[wescovington]

I was pulled ashore thanks to @Bobj @Mirage and @ELSavage

[LadyBird]

So,I have had frustrations similar to @ladybird and @whimsy but they both seem to have made it to shore, while I have not. My only excuse is that I am in Scotland, where the golf is as vexing as the meta.

Oh, I am still floating about at sea! I've been in Northern Michigan with little free time and even less internet connectivity. But I did have this lovely view last night after my shift ended.

[Inca]

I'd like to ask what the general consensus is on submitting if one has received a nudge. I've thought about it and I could see arguments for both sides...

In short, nobody should tell others how to have fun.

I couldn't have said this better myself: exactly how I feel.
I think everyone should do what they enjoy or feel comfortable doing...and it up to them alone. It makes no difference at all to me... As long as they do not try to judge what I enjoy or try to dictate to me what I "should" enjoy.

[mheberlingx100]

I'd like to ask what the general consensus is on submitting if one has received a nudge. I've thought about it and I could see arguments for both sides...

To me, it's up to the individual. The prize is a mug, for goodness sake . It's not like you would win a new car or even a mink stole from Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills. And submitting your correct entry usually only gives you a one in one thousand chance of winning. I don't accept help (except from my sister-in-law) but that's me. You do you.

That being said, I would crow like a rooster if I actually won the mug.

[ron]

Just got a chance to pick the puzzle up, ashore.

Nice one.