# This statement is false. (paradox thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** Unrelated Discussion\ **Created:** [October 25, 2011, 5:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001 "2011-10-25T05:22:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![I6ify](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/i6ify/32/531_2.png) [@I6ify](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/I6ify)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:01am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/21 "2011-10-26T06:01:03Z")
> [@jhb8426](#): > > > [@guitaryo](#): > > > > Ok, so there is a town. In this town, there is one barber, and one barber only. This barber shaves people with a straight razor; however, he only shaves people who DON’T shave themselves, and refuses to shave people who DO shave themselves. Does he shave himself? > > Isn’t this more of a riddle than a paradox? > > [quote=wikipedia]A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition. [quote=wikipedia]A riddle is a statement or question or phrase having a double or veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved. [/quote] [/quote] It’s a paradox. A rather well-known one, too. Wikipedia has an article on it, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![SuperPokenerd](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/superpokenerd/32/297_2.png) [@SuperPokenerd](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SuperPokenerd)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/22 "2011-10-26T17:16:28Z")
> [@I6ify](#): > > > [@jhb8426](#): > > > > > [@guitaryo](#): > > > > > > Ok, so there is a town. In this town, there is one barber, and one barber only. This barber shaves people with a straight razor; however, he only shaves people who DON’T shave themselves, and refuses to shave people who DO shave themselves. Does he shave himself? > > > > Isn’t this more of a riddle than a paradox? > > > > [quote=wikipedia]A paradox is a seemingly true statement or group of statements that lead to a contradiction or a situation which seems to defy logic or intuition. > > [quote=wikipedia]A riddle is a statement or question or phrase having a double or veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved. [/quote] It’s a paradox. A rather well-known one, too. Wikipedia has an article on it, in fact. [/quote] Right, it is a paradox. If the barber shaves himself, we’ve got a contradiction. If he doesn’t shave himself, then he must shave himself, yielding the same contradiction. Here’s another good one: Suppose there is an all powerful being who can do anything. As such it follows that he should be able to limit himself in performing a certain task, contradicting the fact that he can do anything. If, he cannot limit himself in such a way, well then there’s something he can’t do. ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/23 "2011-10-26T17:42:50Z")
> [@I6ify](#): > > It’s a paradox. A rather well-known one, too. Wikipedia has an article on it, in fact. Yes, I saw that listed but it still seems to be a riddle to me. ---
**Author:** ![I6ify](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/i6ify/32/531_2.png) [@I6ify](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/I6ify)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/24 "2011-10-26T18:22:17Z")
> [@SuperPokenerd](#): > > Here’s another good one: Suppose there is an all powerful being who can do anything. As such it follows that he should be able to limit himself in performing a certain task, contradicting the fact that he can do anything. If, he cannot limit himself in such a way, well then there’s something he can’t do. Right, the omnipotence paradox, I already posted that one 😛 > [@jhb8426](#): > > > [@I6ify](#): > > > > It’s a paradox. A rather well-known one, too. Wikipedia has an article on it, in fact. > > Yes, I saw that listed but it still seems to be a riddle to me. Both outcomes contradict themselves, therefore it must happen, yet it can’t. It’s a paradox. ---
**Author:** ![DanishSauce](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/danishsauce/32/906_2.png) [@DanishSauce](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/DanishSauce)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/25 "2011-10-26T18:46:39Z")
Why must it say straight razor? That is really bothering me lol. As for the barber, he doesn’t shave himself. No where does it say he MUST shave himself. Oh, and beards and mustaches are much cooler than being clean shaven. ---
**Author:** ![geckoguy05](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/geckoguy05/32/921_2.png) [@geckoguy05](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/geckoguy05)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/26 "2011-10-26T19:02:16Z")
there is a spear that can pierce anything, and a shield that cannot be pierced. if they clash what will happen ---
**Author:** ![nobody](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nobody/32/845_2.png) [@nobody](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/nobody)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/27 "2011-10-26T20:03:52Z")
> [@DanishSauce](#): > > Why must it say straight razor? That is really bothering me lol. > As for the barber, he doesn’t shave himself. No where does it say he MUST shave himself. Oh, and beards and mustaches are much cooler than being clean shaven. This. > [@geckoguy05](#): > > there is a spear that can pierce anything, and a shield that cannot be pierced. if they clash what will happen Basically Jayyo`s but with different objects. ---
**Author:** ![yoyospirit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyospirit/32/219875_2.png) [@yoyospirit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyospirit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/28 "2011-10-26T20:55:43Z")
> [@geckoguy05](#): > > there is a spear that can pierce anything, and a shield that cannot be pierced. if they clash what will happen The spear becomes unsharpened and the shield has a dent. ---
**Author:** ![guitaryo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/guitaryo/32/830_2.png) [@guitaryo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/guitaryo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/29 "2011-10-26T21:15:16Z")
> [@nobody](#): > > > [@DanishSauce](#): > > > > Why must it say straight razor? That is really bothering me lol. > > As for the barber, he doesn’t shave himself. No where does it say he MUST shave himself. Oh, and beards and mustaches are much cooler than being clean shaven. > > This. No, you’re missing the point. If he shaves himself, then he can’t shave himself because he doesn’t shave people who shave themselves. But that means he doesn’t shave himself, so he does shave himself. It’s an endless loop. I guess a better question would be instead of DOES he shave himself, WILL he shave himself. ---
**Author:** ![SuperPokenerd](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/superpokenerd/32/297_2.png) [@SuperPokenerd](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SuperPokenerd)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/30 "2011-10-27T03:22:35Z")
Here’s an interesting one: Let n be the smallest natural number that can only be described with more than 20 words. Here I have described it with fewer than 20. (Note that, mathematically, the existence of this paradox is taken into account when rigorously constructing the natural numbers, but nevertheless it still makes for an interesting language paradox). ---
**Author:** ![Rika-chan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rika-chan/32/767_2.png) [@Rika-chan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rika-chan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/31 "2011-10-27T03:49:34Z")
> [@SuperPokenerd](#): > > Here’s an interesting one: > > Let n be the smallest natural number that can only be described with more than 20 words. Here I have described it with fewer than 20. > > (Note that, mathematically, the existence of this paradox is taken into account when rigorously constructing the natural numbers, but nevertheless it still makes for an interesting language paradox). I knew you would show up here 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![agentone001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/agentone001/32/535_2.png) [@agentone001](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/agentone001)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/32 "2011-10-27T04:33:27Z")
If Pinocchio said his nose will grow, what will happen. If I asked you to marry me, would the answer to that question be the answer to this question? ---
**Author:** ![I6ify](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/i6ify/32/531_2.png) [@I6ify](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/I6ify)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/33 "2011-10-27T04:43:12Z")
> [@SuperPokenerd](#): > > Here’s an interesting one: > > Let n be the smallest natural number that can only be described with more than 20 words. Here I have described it with fewer than 20. > > (Note that, mathematically, the existence of this paradox is taken into account when rigorously constructing the natural numbers, but nevertheless it still makes for an interesting language paradox). Oooh, me likey. Time to go annoy some math teachers. ---
**Author:** ![Rika-chan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rika-chan/32/767_2.png) [@Rika-chan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rika-chan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/34 "2011-10-27T04:58:53Z")
> [@agentone001](#): > > If Pinocchio said his nose will grow, what will happen. > > If I asked you to marry me, would the answer to that question be the answer to this question? incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![agentone001](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/agentone001/32/535_2.png) [@agentone001](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/agentone001)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/35 "2011-10-27T14:40:37Z")
> [@CarlG](#): > > > [@agentone001](#): > > > > If Pinocchio said his nose will grow, what will happen. > > > > If I asked you to marry me, would the answer to that question be the answer to this question? > > incorrect. Please explain. ---
**Author:** ![Rika-chan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rika-chan/32/767_2.png) [@Rika-chan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rika-chan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/36 "2011-10-27T14:49:57Z")
> [@agentone001](#): > > > [@CarlG](#): > > > > > [@agentone001](#): > > > > > > If Pinocchio said his nose will grow, what will happen. > > > > > > If I asked you to marry me, would the answer to that question be the answer to this question? > > > > incorrect. > > Please explain. Don’t feel like it \>:D ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_oyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/troy_oyo/32/340_2.png) [@Troy\_oyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Troy_oyo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/37 "2011-10-27T21:49:04Z")
[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/f/c/c/fccde6f5bd0e9077324d41ee51e9027838146a47.jpeg "Pirates of Penzance - Paradox (Subtitles)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXhJKzI1u48) ---
**Author:** ![mozartm99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@mozartm99](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mozartm99)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/38 "2011-10-29T02:57:26Z")
what happens when a time traveler does something in the past that prevents him from doing it in the first place??? ---
**Author:** ![I6ify](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/i6ify/32/531_2.png) [@I6ify](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/I6ify)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/39 "2011-10-29T05:00:25Z")
> [@mozartm99](#): > > what happens when a time traveler does something in the past that prevents him from doing it in the first place??? then it never happened. Duh 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rika-chan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rika-chan/32/767_2.png) [@Rika-chan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rika-chan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 7:52am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001/40 "2011-10-29T07:52:36Z")
> [@I6ify](#): > > > [@mozartm99](#): > > > > what happens when a time traveler does something in the past that prevents him from doing it in the first place??? > > then it never happened. Duh 😛 ahh, but then it must happen because it didnt happen to be able to prevent it therefore it WAS prevented but then that means that it WAS NOT prevented, forcing it to happen. [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/this-statement-is-false-paradox-thread/31001.md?page=3)