Latest news with #wizard
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
My petty gripe: yes, hands can make hearts. Now get off Instagram and do something useful
For millennia human beings have had hands. Oh, what things we have done with these hands! We have woven great tapestries. We have deftly saved the lives of our fellow beings. We have written works of such enduring power they have transcended the centuries. The Sistine Chapel? Hands. Open heart surgery? Also hands. Generation after generation, people have been born with hands, used hands casually, without even thinking about it, like they were no big deal. And everything was fine with hands until, what, 10 years ago, some wizard realised you could rest the top third of your opposing fingers together while pressing the pads of yours thumbs together below and make an approximation of the shape of a heart. And that's all dickheads have been doing with hands ever since. Who was that person? Was it an accident, or had they been experimenting with using all their body parts to make the shape of a heart? Had they been thinking: if only there was a trite and annoying way people could signal their affection for each other? We hardly have any of those! And when they stumbled upon this revelation, did they run out into the streets, hands aloft, shouting (weeping, maybe?) to all who could hear: LOOK, HANDS MAKE HEARTS! HANDS MAKE HEARTS! And those who came, did they slowly and in awe bring their own hands together in a heart shape, wondering how they had failed to see this before? And is that when they put it on Instagram? I don't have the answers, dear reader. Could we be living in end times when all human experience is flattened, rendered meaningless and fed into the insatiable algorithms that control our declining culture? I don't know! What I do know is this gesture is stupid. What I do know is this is a grave misuse of hands, which are for tapestries, surgeries and chapel decoration (see above). I also know that in ancient Greece, what we now consider the OK sign – the connecting of the thumb and forefinger – was used to denote love, a mimic of kissing of lips. Imagine how annoying that was, all over the agora, people doing little kissy love fingers! So stupid heart hands will go one day, too. I just have to wait for our civilisation to collapse. (Not long now.)
The Guardian
23-06-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Did you solve it? Is 'yes' the answer to this question?
Earlier today I set five logic problems. Here they are again with solutions. A questionable planet A certain planet is inhabited by two kinds of alien, Cricks and Goops. Both types of alien – who are physically identical – have a strange way of speaking. They only ask questions. Cricks can only ask questions whose answer is yes, while Goops can only ask questions whose answer is no. 1. Could you meet a person inhabiting this planet who asks you 'Am I a Goop?' Solution No If the answer is 'no', then the person must be a Goop because only Goops ask such questions. But if the answer is 'no', they are stating they are not a Goop. There's a contradiction so this situation is impossible. If the answer is 'yes', they are a Crick. But if the answer is 'yes', they are a Goop! This situation is also impossible. 2. You meet two friends, Katja and Anja. Katja once asked Anja 'Is at least one of us a Goop?' What are Katja and Anja? Solution Katja is a Crick and Anja a Goop. Say the answer is 'no', then Katja is a Goop. But if it is not the case that at least one is a Goop, none are Goops, and there is a contradiction. So this is impossible. So the answer is 'yes', which means Katja is a Crick. And if one of them is a Goop, it must be Katja. 3. You overhear a conversation between two people. One of them asks 'Am I the kind that could ask you whether there is a wizard on this planet?'. What are the chances that there is a wizard on the planet? Solution There is a wizard on the planet If the answer to this question is yes, then the questioner is a Crick and if they can ask whether there is a wizard on the planet, that means there is a wizard on the planet, as Cricks can only ask questions to which the answer is yes. If the answer to this question is no, then the questioner is a Goop. If they couldn't ask you whether there is a wizard on the planet, this means there must be a wizard on the planet, as Goops can ask questions only if their answer would be no. As they can't ask this one, the answer must be yes. Note: the question is of the form 'Am I the kind that can ask you whether X', and X is true whichever alien type asks it. This insight will be used in the next question. 4. You later learn that there is exactly one wizard on this planet of Cricks and Goops. You would like to find out who that is. You meet an alien called Andrew. He asks you 'Am I the kind that could ask whether I am not the wizard?' Do you have enough information to tell for sure who the wizard is by now? Solution No The quertion is of the form 'Am I the kind that can ask you whether X'. So we know X is true, that is, we know that Andrew is not the wizard. But we still dont know who is the wizard. 5. A strange alien asks you 'Am I the kind who could ask you the question I am now asking?' What can be said about her? Solution She is a Crick Suppose the answer is no. This would mean that the strange alien is a Goop. But it also means she can't ask the question she is asking. Not only does this not make sense (as she is asking it...) but also this implies the answer to the question is yes, as she can't ask it and she is a Goop, which is a direct suppose the answer to the question is yes. Therefore she is a Crick and she can ask the question she is asking, so the answer to the question is yes. Everything checks out. Thanks to We Solve Problems who devised these puzzles. WSP runs free maths circles for secondary school students (UK years 7 to 11) in nine cities in the UK. If you want to sign up for the next academic year you can apply here. I've been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I'm always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me.
The Guardian
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Can you solve it? Is 'yes' the answer to this question?
For readers who answered 'yes', you are correct. For readers who answered 'no', you are also correct. (I hope no one answered 'maybe'.) A similar logic applies to today's puzzles. Am I the kind of person who would set you such a challenge? Absolutely! A questionable planet A certain planet is inhabited by two kinds of alien, Cricks and Goops. Both types of alien – who are physically identical – have a strange way of speaking. They only ask questions. Cricks can only ask questions whose answer is yes, while Goops can only ask questions whose answer is no. 1. Could you meet a person inhabiting this planet who asks you 'Am I a Goop?' 2. You meet two friends, Katja and Anja. Katja once asked Anja 'Is at least one of us a Goop?' What are Katja and Anja? 3. You overhear a conversation between two people. One of them asks 'Am I the kind that could ask you whether there is a wizard on this planet?'. What are the chances that there is a wizard on the planet? 4. You later learn that there is exactly one wizard on this planet of Cricks and Goops. You would like to find out who that is. You meet an alien called Andrew. He asks you 'Am I the kind that could ask whether I am not the wizard?' Do you have enough information to tell for sure who the wizard is by now? 5. A strange alien asks you 'Am I the kind who could ask you the question I am now asking?' What can be said about her? I'll be back at 5pm UK with the solutions. PLEASE NO SPOILERS. Instead ask questions in the comments that are true whether or not the answers are yes or no. Today's puzzles were devised by We Solve Problems, a fantastic charity that describes itself as a 'social club for maths-loving kids.' WSP runs free maths circles for secondary school students (UK years 7 to 11) in nine cities in the UK. If you want to sign up for the next academic year you can apply here. We Solve Problems also organises 'maths battles', which I wrote about in 2022 I've been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I'm always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Immersive wizard cocktail bar announces closure
A wizard-inspired immersive experience and cocktail bar has closed. The Cauldron was located in Clarence Gardens, Brighton, and offered guests an immersive 'potion-making' cocktail experience. The company posted a statement on their website announcing the site's closure, alongside their other locations in London, Edinburgh, New York, and Philadelphia. READ MORE: Royal Albion Hotel owners submit plans after latest demolition work It said: 'It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we share The Cauldron & Wizard Exploratorium has closed its doors. 'We explored every option—from investment and loans to partnerships and strategic sale discussions—but could not secure the capital or find a buyer with the resources needed to keep our magic alive. 'To the one million guests who walked through our doors: thank you. Thank you for believing in our vision and making magic real, from our very first Kickstarter backer to our final guest. The potion making experience at The Cauldron 'To our investors: we are truly sorry we could not fulfil the potential of this company or reward your faith in us. 'To our amazing team: thank you for your hard work, your authenticity and your commitment to creating inclusive, magical experiences for everyone. 'We are deeply grateful to every guest, team member and partner who made this dream possible. Always remember to be kind, pay it forward, and know that you are magic. Magic is for everyone.' The cocktail bar opened in August 2022, founded by entrepreneurs Matthew Cortland and David Duckworth. Matthew described the venue as a 'gateway to the magical world' and said: 'Our mission is to make magic real for people with science, technology and design.' Alongside their cocktail-making experience, they also served a range of unique cocktails featuring different effects such as fire, ice, smoke, and colour change. The venue also featured non-alcoholic experiences for families, offering everyone the chance to enjoy the experience.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Moment daredevil somersaults down cheese-rolling hill - as organisers call in RUGBY PLAYERS to stop flying participants after council banned tradition over safety fears
This is the terrifying moment a contestant somersaulted down a huge hill before slamming into the ground during an annual cheese rolling competition. The man, who was dressed as a wizard, was attempting to break the course record for fastest descent at the event on Bank Holiday Monday. He could be seen doing a cartoon-style flip down Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire before landing flat on his back. Members of the crowd looked on in horror - but it is believed the man managed to escape without breaking any bones. It comes as organisers were this year forced to call in rugby players to stop flying participants after the council banned the cheese-rolling event due to safety fears. One local posted on X: 'I'm 10 minutes from where this is. It's technically [been] an official event for some time because the council banned it (safety). 'So they get lads from the local rugby teams to tackle those who come down the hill.' Photos from this year's event showed one man being carried away from the event on a stretcher, while an air ambulance was seen landing in a nearby field. The man, who was dressed as a wizard, was attempting to break the course record for fastest descent at the event on Bank Holiday Monday He could be seen doing a cartoon-style flip down Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire before landing flat on his back A man is helped by a rugby player and medic after injuring himself during the race on Monday Will Matthews, 23, spoke to the man who somersaulted down the hill before the start of the race. The gardener from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, said according to The Sun: 'He was dressed as a wizard and he said his name was Tye. 'Apparently he was trying to break the record for the fastest descent. 'I understand he was in the pub afterwards. There were a few people who had to go to hospital with injuries but he wasn't one of them.' Every year dozens of hardy racers hurtle down Cooper's Hill at Brockworth in pursuit of a 7lb Double Gloucester cheese. The renowned bank holiday tradition began as a small local event but now garners worldwide media attention. The official competition was cancelled back in 2010 due to health and safety fears - but rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event. This year's race prompted a safety warning from the local ambulance, police and fire services, who said they could be overwhelmed if there were 'mass causalities'. Members of the crowd looked on in horror - but it is believed the man managed to escape without breaking any bones Photos showed a man being carried away from today's cheese rolling on a stretcher An air ambulance was seen landing in a nearby field on Monday during the race But it went ahead as planned, with Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old YouTuber from Munich, retaining the title he won last year. After taking an early lead and seeing the win through, he told the BBC: 'I've never felt better in my life. 'This year I just gave it everything I had - I just dashed forward and tried to get the win, and then I just blacked out.' Mr Kopke, 23, added: 'It was crazy. This year was different. Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured. The second men's race was won by Luke Preece, from Gloucester, who flew down the hill race dressed in a Superman costume. He said afterwards: 'I am absolutely buzzed, amazing - the adrenaline. My dad did it. I can't believe it, it's amazing.' The women's race was won by Ava Sender Logan, 20, who was racing for the Refugee Community Kitchen, which supports displaced people in northern France and homeless people in London and Edinburgh. The university student from London said: 'This is my first time. I thought it was such a tradition, and I will probably feel it tomorrow. I can't believe it, I can't believe it. One cheese pursuer in a Superman costume was among those toppling down the steep incline Tom Kopke, from Munich in Germany, has won the opening men's race for the second year running - he is pictured here celebrating his latest victory Crowds gathered for the annual Cheese Rolling races at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth There was carnage on the course as racers hurtled after the 3kg Double Gloucester '"It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I'm down, that's what matters. I'm fine".' During the event, competitors chase the cheese down the 180m-high hill, with many tripping and tumbling on their way. The first runners to catch the cheese, which can reach speeds of up to 70mph, are declared victors in various races across the event that dates back to the 1800s. But competing is not without its risks - in 1993, 15 people were injured in the racing, four of them seriously hurt, and officials have ramped up warnings in recent years. In 2009 and 2011 the race was cancelled over safety concerns but the event has continued unofficially, though the 2020 and 2021 versions were called off as a result of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions before a return in June 2022. Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who has produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year's event. Four cheeses weighing about 3kg each and three smaller ones, weighing about 1.5kg, are used.
