At work we somehow landed on the topic of how many holes a human has, which then evolved into a heated discussion on the classic question of how many holes does a straw have.

I think it’s two, but some people are convinced that it’s one, which I just don’t understand. What are your thoughts?

  • Yarla98@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    19
    ·
    1 year ago

    I believe the confusion lies in the word “holes” when you are thinking about openings or exits. Just my 2 cents.

    • Buddahriffic@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

      Yes, I agree. “Hole” is poorly defined. This isn’t a technical question about straws but a technical question about language.

      • GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        7
        ·
        1 year ago

        That’s the gist of practically all philosophical thought experiments.

        When is a heap of sand no longer a heap? I dunno, define “heap” and there’s your answer. It’s not going to be a useful answer though because the rest of the world doesn’t define the word with enough precision for the question to be meaningful in the first place. There is no authority on Earth that can do that. You can define the problem in precise mathematical terms but then it will NOT be the same thing as a plain-English “heap” and you’d be pulling a fast one if you acted like it was.