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You're making a number of assumptions, most of which I believe are wrong. a) No, it's not the first thing that springs to everybody's mind. Experience says it'

by astrec 14y ago

You're making a number of assumptions, most of which I believe are wrong. a) No, it's not the first thing that springs to everybody's mind. Experience says it's the first thing that springs to a relatively small percentage of minds, actually. b) No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming.

v0cab 14y ago
> Experience says it's the first thing that springs to a relatively small percentage of minds, actually. Can you explain in more detail about what experience lets you know this? > No, someone who didn't ask about the kind of bus isn't necessarily under the impression that it's a toy problem. Again, experience says that for a large percentage of people the problem, or more specifically any problem of the ilk of this problem, is completely overwhelming. Also I'd like to know how you know these people are 'overwhelmed' with the problem itself, rather than just with not understanding the point of it or not knowing whether its OK to make assumptions or ask questions about the type of the bus etc.