Read the introduction, then answer: which horse would you prefer to be?


Consider three horses, each pulling a cart filled with hay. The horses are in a row, walking down the road. As it walks, the second horse gets to eat from the hay that the first horse is pulling. The third horse gets to eat from the hay the second horse is pulling. Which horse would you prefer to be?

 

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Dr. Cliff Pickover is the author of forty mind-expanding books at the edges of science, mysticism, and religion. His latest book is Archimedes to Hawking: Laws of Science and the Great Minds Behind Them.


Read the introduction. Then answer: which horse would you prefer to be?


Apr 2nd, 2008 | Life survey
1,196 votes, 5,409 views , 25 comments

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Recent Comments (25)
(Reply)
posted Jul 29th, 2008 at 16:55 CDT

If the horses are in a row, then no horse can eat from the others cart, they would have to be in a column, or single file -- stupid question

(Reply)
posted Apr 18th, 2008 at 16:35 CDT

horse 1 wont have to step in poop, and can walk at its own pace.

(Reply)
posted Apr 11th, 2008 at 21:52 CDT

besides "giving and taking", think about it this way: if you are the first horse, you get no food, but as the second horse eats your food your load becomes lighter. if you are the first horse, you get food by your load stays the same. if youre the second horse, you get to eat hay from the front, and the last horse eats your hay, making your load lighter. duh.

(Reply)
posted Apr 10th, 2008 at 23:03 CDT

number 3, because you can have your hay and eat it too (:!

(Reply)
posted Apr 10th, 2008 at 07:37 CDT

I'd be 2. Gets a favor and gets to pass a favor. Best of both worlds.

(Reply)
posted Apr 8th, 2008 at 03:43 CDT

I would have to be 2.  I doubt in a question such as this, that "stepping in poop" would be a deciding factor.  Number 2's load gets lighter and also it is able to eat..  However. It can eat but it can't drink? Is this a problem?  If not I'd say 2, if it is a problem I would say 1. 

Alltexx
(Reply)
Netherlands

posted Apr 7th, 2008 at 14:48 CDT

it all sucks

(Reply)
posted Apr 4th, 2008 at 15:32 CDT

if you have to ask... ur dummer than a horse!

(Reply)
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 at 21:05 CDT

I prefer not to be any horse. Nobody said I HAD to be one of them

(Reply)
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 at 14:29 CDT

Has to be 2 for me. I don't reckon, as a horse, that I'll care about droppings from another horse, plus of course there is the cart between myself and my offending colleague. Lastly, of course, I'll have the best of both worlds being able to eat, and having a lightening load. Huzzah!

Sheephogan
(Reply)
Nevada, United States

posted Apr 3rd, 2008 at 09:45 CDT

It's never an option to be behind.

(Reply)
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 at 04:22 CDT

I always want to be the one in the front, leading. Plus the cart gets lighter.

Johnson
(Reply)
Connecticut, United States

posted Apr 3rd, 2008 at 02:54 CDT

#1 because it doesn't step in crap. that's my choice.

(Reply)
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 19:58 CDT

horse number 2, sure you have to put up with a little crap, but you get to eat, and as time progresses your load gets lighter and light

(Reply)
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 16:45 CDT

#1 loads getting lighter and not stepping in anyones poop.

(Reply)
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 16:43 CDT

#2 - my load lightens, making my day easier, and I don't go hungry from the work.

Dilmatic
(Reply)
New York, United States

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 CDT

so whats the answer?

Geeker
(Reply)
California, United States

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 CDT

keeping the lead, keeping my diet, getting the girls

Fiona
(Reply)
Florida, United States

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 CDT

I'd rather see the view than have my head stuck in someone's butt

Mscrowe
(Reply)
Florida, United States

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 CDT

I hate these kinds of questions! 

Modelchaser
(Reply)
Switzerland

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 10:51 CDT

It's all about taking it for the team.

Officeshrew
(Reply)
Alabama, United States

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 CDT

someone has to be the work horse....

Pickerupper
(Reply)
Australia

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 CDT

My first instinct said three, but now I'm thinking maybe it's best to be the first horse...

Politicass
(Reply)
California, United States

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 CDT

The second horse seems to have the most harmonious role: it gives and it takes. I would want to be it.

Ultranerd
(Reply)
New York, United States

posted Apr 2nd, 2008 at 10:28 CDT

I feel like this might be a tricked question or something, but off of the top of my head, I'd want to be horse number 3: I get to eat hay, and nobody touches mine, so Mr. Farmer isn't angry :)

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