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May 19, 2009

"Lost" Puzzle in Wired Magazine

For the April 09 issue Wired Magazine, I was asked to create a cryptographic puzzle based on the television show Lost. Specifically, I was given a "clue" to encrypt.

Here are details of the puzzle and solving attempts. Near as I can tell, no one has published a solution.

Creating something like this is very hard. The puzzle needs to be hard enough so that people don't figure it out immediately, and easy enough so that people eventually figure it out. To make matters even more complicated, people will share their ideas on the Internet. So if the solution requires -- and I'm making this up -- expertise in Mayan history, carburetor design, algebraic topology, and Russian folk dancing, those people are likely to come together on the Internet. The puzzle has to be challenging for the group mind; not just for individual minds.

Do I need to give people a hint?

EDITED TO ADD (5/20): No hints required; there's a solution posted.

Posted on May 19, 2009 at 1:06 PM • 19 Comments

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Comments

expertise in Mayan history, carburetor design, algebraic topology, and Russian folk dancing,

Finally! A use for that degree!

Posted by: wiredog at May 19, 2009 1:29 PM

What, art history?

Posted by: Chase Hoffman at May 19, 2009 1:30 PM

I'm having a hard time imagining why art history would teach something about carburetor design.

Bruce, you need to make such a puzzle. Even if there's nobody who can solve it.

Posted by: florian at May 19, 2009 2:03 PM

@florian

I dunno...I rebuilt my first carbourator in industrial arts class.

Posted by: BF Skinner at May 19, 2009 2:17 PM

@florian

I dunno, but one of the CarTalk guys has a daughter who majored in Art History so their thanksgiving dinner would be perfect for that puzzle

Posted by: recovering cartalk listener at May 19, 2009 2:28 PM

Since I've never seen the TV show, will a hint other than "watch the show" help me?

Posted by: Bernie at May 19, 2009 2:35 PM

Is that lottery ticket supposed to be there, or was that added by the blogger?

Posted by: Tangerine Blue at May 19, 2009 2:57 PM

The hive mind has figured it out:

http://mestizorocks.blogspot.com/2009/05/...

Posted by: Jay at May 19, 2009 3:01 PM

"expertise in Mayan history, carburetor design, algebraic topology, and Russian folk dancing, those people are likely to come together on the Internet"
oh yeah, those ppl gather together like they were made of magnets!

btw, what's a carburetor? I'm guessing it's something those old Mayan folks used for something. ;-)

Did you have to watch the show to create the puzzle?

Posted by: Let them the academic melting pot at May 19, 2009 3:42 PM

Did you have to watch the show to "create the puzzle?"

Ya, I was going to ask, have you ever even seen 'Lost'? Being the confirmed non-TV watcher that you are.

Posted by: Rich Wilson at May 19, 2009 8:17 PM

Too much work for me, never seen lost, nor do I get Wired.

Looks like my only puzzle method, is to watch Raiders of the lost Ark, take some Melatonin, bang my head up against a wall a few times, and sleep on it.

Works for me everytime, all and all is all the same.

Posted by: PackagedBlue at May 19, 2009 9:30 PM

"Near as I can tell, no one has published a solution."

Hmm... time to put cloudmakers on the case?

Posted by: TS at May 19, 2009 9:55 PM

No, definitely don't give a hint. I like working on puzzles (although I'm not working on this one) and no matter how stuck I am, hints are always disappointing because they are never subtle enough. Make 'em sweat!

Posted by: Aviatrix at May 19, 2009 10:59 PM

Academic Melting Pot:

Look here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carburetor

It used to be standard equipment on automobile engines. I don't think the Mayans used them...

Posted by: karrde at May 20, 2009 11:51 AM

The solution is Evangeline Lilly.

Posted by: Fort Saskatchewan at May 20, 2009 12:27 PM

http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Giant_statue

Scroll down to "Wired Puzzle"

Looks like it was solved and published there May 19 or so.

Posted by: Richard at May 20, 2009 2:45 PM

Let us all smoke some dope and read the Bible code I, II and perhaps III if we really get wasted enough...