"In a far away land, the following facts are true and known to everyone: 1) A person who ingests a poison will die within the hour UNLESS that person ingests a stronger poison, which acts as an antidote and restores complete health. 2) Smith and Jones are the only manufacturers of poison. 3) Each makes several types of poison. 4) All poisons have different strengths. 5) Smith and Jones do not have access to each other's poisons."
"One day the Queen decides to find out. She summons Smith and Jones to her palace and says: In one week from now, you will both return here. Bring a vial of your own poison. There will be a ceremony. First, both of you will take a swig from the other one's vial. Next, you will both take a swig from your own vials. You will then be watched for one hour."
Two poison manufacturers, Smith and Jones, each produce several poisons of distinct strengths and cannot access the other's stock. Any ingested poison kills within an hour unless a stronger poison is later ingested, which serves as a complete antidote. The Queen orders a ceremony: each drinks the other's vial first, then their own, and will be observed for an hour. Each manufacturer therefore has a clear incentive to bring the strongest poison they possess, because bringing a stronger poison than the opponent will antidote the opponent's poison and ensure survival.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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