MGWCC #743 — “Butterfly Effect” by Paolo Pasco

An excellent puzzle written by one of the innovators of the meta crossword format. It comes out every Friday at noon and increases in difficulty throughout the month. Available for modest subscription (worth every cent) here: www.xwordcontest.com
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Joe Ross
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MGWCC #743 — “Butterfly Effect” by Paolo Pasco

#1

Post by Joe Ross »

MGWCC #743 — Sunday, August 28th, 2022 — “Butterfly Effect” by Paolo Pasco

GUEST CONSTRUCTOR: PAOLO PASCO

Two extra days wasn’t even enough (what a week!), but luckily I had an emergency switch to pull. That would be today’s puzzle by Paolo Pasco.

Image

Paolo is a data scientist in San Diego, CA. As a fun little Spider-Man-type alternate life thing, he is also the assistant crossword editor for the Atlantic and AV Club Crossword, and has puzzles in rotation at the New Yorker and The Browser. He has a website, Grids These Days, which is just *that* close to hitting Puzzle #100. Outside of all that, he likes to cross-stitch, watch movies, and have fun times with his friends.

Excited to have Paolo appear here at MGWCC! Let’s see what he’s got for us…


THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:

This week’s contest answer is a term used in history.

NOTE: Due to the delayed post, the entry deadline this week is 3 PM ET on Thursday, September 1st.


Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.


WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY CROSSWORD CONTEST?:
MGWCC is available only to subscribers at my Patreon page. A subscription costs $3/month
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jhseeman
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#2

Post by jhseeman »

BTW, for all wondering it's not the kids fault....the blame for this one goes squarely on @DrTom
rjy wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:58 am

DrTom wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:23 am

rjy wrote: ↑Thu Aug 25, 2022 10:41 pm
Ashore on a Thursday, holy cow! Someone tell me what to do here … Thursdays and Fridays are my Isaac time, so disoriented…

Oh, I'd bet your Friday will fill up.....

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand you jinxed it, @DrTom, Matt just postponed MGWCC ‘til Sunday

Hmmm, I may have to try this power for something else...

Oh, I'll never get a mug - or better yet, I know I'll never hit the PowerBall!
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MikeyG
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#3

Post by MikeyG »

Joe Ross wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:56 am Image
I think they're discussing ideas for their first co-constructed meta!
Less cross words, more crosswords.

Solve my latest "Pun of a Kind" Meta!: 91. You'll Turn It Around
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Joe Ross
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#4

Post by Joe Ross »

MikeyG wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 3:01 pm
Joe Ross wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:56 am Image
I think they're discussing ideas for their first co-constructed meta!
With that wand in her hand, she won't be a muggle.
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Meg
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#5

Post by Meg »

I can just see a meta where you have to somehow connect a twisted stick and a striped sock. Hmm. I can see several tunnels ahead.
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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Joe Ross
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#6

Post by Joe Ross »

MGWCC #743 — Will Be Posted No Later than 3 PM ET Today

Dear Solver,

MGWCC #743 will be posted no later than 3 PM ET today.

–Matt
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Guffman
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#7

Post by Guffman »

Given how tough Matt's late-month metas have been lately, I was kind of half-hoping we might get a bye week.
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Joe Ross
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#8

Post by Joe Ross »

MGWCC #743 — Sunday, August 28th, 2022 — “Butterfly Effect” by Paolo Pasco

GUEST CONSTRUCTOR: PAOLO PASCO

Two extra days wasn’t even enough (what a week!), but luckily I had an emergency switch to pull. That would be today’s puzzle by Paolo Pasco.

Image

Paolo is a data scientist in San Diego, CA. As a fun little Spider-Man-type alternate life thing, he is also the assistant crossword editor for the Atlantic and AV Club Crossword, and has puzzles in rotation at the New Yorker and The Browser. He has a website, Grids These Days, which is just *that* close to hitting Puzzle #100. Outside of all that, he likes to cross-stitch, watch movies, and have fun times with his friends.

Excited to have Paolo appear here at MGWCC! Let’s see what he’s got for us…


THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:

This week’s contest answer is a term used in history.

NOTE: Due to the delayed post, the entry deadline this week is 3 PM ET on Thursday, September 1st.


Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.


WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY CROSSWORD CONTEST?:
MGWCC is available only to subscribers at my Patreon page. A subscription costs $3/month
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Joe Ross
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#9

Post by Joe Ross »

NOTE: There will not be a spreadsheet for this 21x18 grid, today. Stay tuned for the possibility of one being made tomorrow or later.

A spreadsheet link was PMed to those I have on my MGWCC subscribers list who've requested it.

If you have not received this or would like to receive these going forward, please PM me. Please provide your posting screen name for MGWCC as it's subscripted & I will need to verify yours.
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Bob cruise director
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#10

Post by Bob cruise director »

Eyestrain and a lot of googling for this one to even get to the meta
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mattythewsjpuzzler
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#11

Post by mattythewsjpuzzler »

It's never a good sign when even Googling can't find a plausible grid answer!
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Bob cruise director
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#12

Post by Bob cruise director »

mattythewsjpuzzler wrote: ↑Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:35 pm It's never a good sign when even Googling can't find a plausible grid answer!
True - I finally have the grid with a lot of pain.

Maybe work on the meta later
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Laura M
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#13

Post by Laura M »

I expect to beam up shortly. This isn't my favorite sort of metapuzzle, but I can appreciate that it was very well done, and probably more doable than whatever Matt originally had in store for us, so I'm not complaining!

Edit: #18
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JeffPrug
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#14

Post by JeffPrug »

If anyone is interested in working together on this, feel free to send me a PM. I've done the grid but haven't figured out anything for the meta yet.
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AaronT
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#15

Post by AaronT »

Submitted and awaiting confirmation. Really enjoyed this one!

Confirmed at #25 👍
Last edited by AaronT on Sun Aug 28, 2022 7:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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edestlin
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#16

Post by edestlin »

Got the grid and what I believe is step one of the meta. Maybe step two. Not sure where to go from there yet...
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SJMcK
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#17

Post by SJMcK »

On the board at #27
—
Steven McKinney
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ChrisKochmanski
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#18

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

Beamed!

Loved it!

Though I can’t help but think: What kind of mind conceives of a puzzle like this?

Thanks, Paolo!
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gpj73
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#19

Post by gpj73 »

Waiting to be beamed up - this was extremely well-executed, and happy to have a solo week 4 (hopefully!) after a brutal Week 3.
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ricky
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#20

Post by ricky »

Awaiting beam-up. This was a great puzzle. I highly recommend NOT seeking out nudges on this one until you've pondered it a while.
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