A start-up has worked out how to preserve the brain after death – paving the way for immortality in a distant future. But beginning to reckon with this reality yields serious practical and philosophical questions

A start-up has worked out how to preserve the brain after death – paving the way for immortality in a distant future. But beginning to reckon with this reality yields serious practical and philosophical questions

One in 10 homes tested in the UK, Italy and the Netherlands have dangerous levels of benzene because of slow leaks from gas hobs and ovens

One in 10 homes tested in the UK, Italy and the Netherlands have dangerous levels of benzene because of slow leaks from gas hobs and ovens

Our solar system’s rocky planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars – may have formed from two rings around the young sun, rather than a single disc

Our solar system’s rocky planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars – may have formed from two rings around the young sun, rather than a single disc

Infections are increasingly being linked to a higher risk of dementia. In the latest research, scientists have found that being treated in hospital for a severe infection seems to raise the risk of developing the condition over the next five to six years

Infections are increasingly being linked to a higher risk of dementia. In the latest research, scientists have found that being treated in hospital for a severe infection seems to raise the risk of developing the condition over the next five to six years

We've always thought that Tyrannosaurus rex was an unchallenged apex predator during the dying days of the dinosaurs. But a fresh look at controversial fossils has prompted palaeontology’s biggest-ever U-turn

We've always thought that Tyrannosaurus rex was an unchallenged apex predator during the dying days of the dinosaurs. But a fresh look at controversial fossils has prompted palaeontology’s biggest-ever U-turn

CERN is working on building an antimatter delivery service. The project passed a big test by successfully transporting 92 antiprotons around a 4-kilometre loop of road

CERN is working on building an antimatter delivery service. The project passed a big test by successfully transporting 92 antiprotons around a 4-kilometre loop of road

Physicists are grappling with how the increasing presence of AI will change the nature of their profession

Physicists are grappling with how the increasing presence of AI will change the nature of their profession

As the science fiction author publishes the latest novel in his Children of Time series, Children of Strife, he talks to Alison Flood about mantis shrimp, the pleasures of sci-fi and why empathy is so important in his writing

As the science fiction author publishes the latest novel in his Children of Time series, Children of Strife, he talks to Alison Flood about mantis shrimp, the pleasures of sci-fi and why empathy is so important in his writing

Are we evolving to be more stupid? Humans have a relatively high genetic mutation rate, which has been thought to be driving down our physical and mental fitness – but columnist Michael Le Page finds these mutations aren’t the health risk some make them out to be

Are we evolving to be more stupid? Humans have a relatively high genetic mutation rate, which has been thought to be driving down our physical and mental fitness – but columnist Michael Le Page finds these mutations aren’t the health risk some make them out to be

What is represented by the following?

KAURADTEUOKNG FUJ


Check Braingle.com for the answer.

The warden at the Prison for Creative and Unusual Punishment places a high value on intelligence, believing that intelligent people should be integrated into society no matter what their past misdeeds. So, rather than hold parole hearings, the warden routinely subjects groups of his prisoners to tests of intelligence. If they pass, they are set free. If they fail, they are usually executed.

For this test, the warden will gather ten prisoners in the Rec Room (a much larger padded cell), blindfold them all, and put a hat on each of their heads. The hats can be one of ten different colors; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, gray, black. There are enough hats of each color for it to be possible for all ten prisoners to have the same color hat, or for them to all have different hats, or any possible combination of colors. As the warden is the one responsible for selecting the hats, he can and will intentionally sabotage the prisoners with the colors he chooses.

Once all of the prisoners have a hat on their head, they may remove their blindfolds and look at each other to see what the other nine are wearing. However, they may not communicate in any way or otherwise do anything that would result in a prisoner learning their own hat color. Should this happen, the prisoners will fail the test.

After allowing the prisoners to look at each other, the warden will give each of them the opportunity to guess the color of their hat. If at least one prisoner guesses their color correctly, they will pass the test and be set free. If none of them guess correctly, they will fail the test.

As is standard conduct for the tests at the PCUP, the warden will give all prisoners involved one day to discuss strategy amongst each other. They have also been prompted with all of the details of the test as described above.

What strategy can the prisoners implement that guarantees their escape?


Check Braingle.com for the answer.