#721 - “I As in Interrobang”

[Bird Lives]

Awaiting confirmation, but I may still wind up in the top 100.
(Update: In at #85.)

What a tour de force of a puzzle.

Thanks to all you solvers that I drafted a nudge-request to. I never sent it, but in putting down all my dead ends and those things I’d noticed but had no explanation for, I finally saw the right path. Even so it was a lot of work.

[stmv]

Well, that was a workout. I spent a fair amount of time yesterday looking at the puzzle and mostly getting nowhere, and then spending a lot of time trying an appealing-looking rabbit hole. When I was falling asleep I had a flash of inspiration, and I woke up early to confidently try it out, but I again hit a brick wall. Then I saw that I was applying my idea wrong, and I got maybe 75% of the way there, but then still had to do some backsolving, and the finally I was there. It's very satisfying when you finally get it, and I'm on the board at #83.

[Joe]

Thanks to a small nudge, I've made it to the transporter room (well, awaiting a refresh).

[DrTom]

GRRRRRRRRRRR - I have all the components but apparently not enough knowledge to put them together to form an answer. I KNOW it is standing there starting at me I just cannot bring it home.

[HunterX]

Well, I see something with what seems like an obvious potential to be the start of the metanism. Still trying to figure out what to do with it. Maybe I'll draft an email request for a nudge, a la @Bird Lives, to see if it triggers some inspiration.

[ship4u]

Hmmm, an eight letter, two-word phrase that would've made a good title for this puzzle: Beyond me.

[ricky]

I need a nudge. I'm pretty sure I've got Step 1 but I've tried every Step 2 I can think of. I feel like I may be executing something incorrectly in the process.

[joequavis]

Fun team solve with my mom! Keeping the streak alive, and may get my first "10" next week!!

[woozy]

Yeah, I need a nudge... all I have are flaking letters. Not rabbit holes. Just gophers tearing up the yard.

[jturnham]

Another amazing puzzle from Matt. I'm typically staring at a Week #4 puzzle throughout the weekend. Somehow I managed to get extremely lucky Friday afternoon and saw Step #1 in a few mins and got on the board 20 mins later.

I've been helped by friendly mugglers in the past year, so I'm happy to confirm/deny rabbit holes or provide nudges.

[HeadinHome]

I agree that that was a workout and that it had some wiggle room, but I was FINALLY able to reach a satisfying “aha!”moment… just hope it was the RIGHT aha! Waiting on confirmation, but feels like a 98%-er. Would not be surprised if this one has arguably acceptable alternate answers though!

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE IN A RABBIT HOLE YOU LIKELY ARE, is all I can say! I had at least three really promising ones!

Update: YESS - just caught the end of an update cycle… in at #105.

Also, I do now see how some people were able to get this one so quickly… it was just a matter of what caught your eye and how you interpreted the given clues.

[Dannyvee]

Beam me up!
Saw things right off the bat but took a bit to figure out what to do with them. Cool puzzle!

[boharr]

Last night, with help, I beamed up.

[Schmeel]

I'm pretty sure I got it.
Requested to beam up. We'll see.

[ajs0031]

No idea where to go on this one. If someone could DM me a hint I would appreciate it!

[Orsys]

Phew. D As In Done!

[Bird Lives]

No idea where to go on this one. If someone could DM me a hint I would appreciate it!

This is for all nudge requesters:

Joe Ross had an excellent post in the Acapulco Lounge thread on Muggle Nudge Culture on how to ask for nudges (#20 in that forum). The short version is that it's better to address your request to a person rather than to the general air. Also,

• Tell me the level of help you are seeking. Do you want a simple yes/no validation of a solution or first few steps, or more?
  Send me what you have, so far, please. Leave nothing out

After all, you don't want someone telling you too much and spoiling the fun of solving. And you don't want someone telling you what you already know. You want a nudge that's aligned with your particular position vis a vis the meta.

[benchen71]

I have been ushered in the direction of the tractor beam. Awaiting lift-off...

[higgysue]

I just dunno.

[ky-mike]

Awesome! Genius!

Will be on shore soon.