A
programmer and an engineer are sitting next to each other on a long
flight from LA to NY. The Programmer leans over to the Engineer and asks
if he would like to play a fun game. The Engineer just want to take a
nap, so he politely declines and rolls over to the window to catch a few
winks.
The Programmer persists and explains that
the game is really easy and a lot of fun. He explains “I ask you a
question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me $5.” Again, the
Engineer politely declines and tries to get some sleep.
The
Programmer, now somewhat agitated, says “OK, if you don’t know the
answer you pay me $5, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay you
$50!” This catches the Engineer’s complete attention, and he sees no end
to this torment unless he plays, so he agrees to the game.
The
Programmer asks the first question. “What’s the distance from the earth
to the moon?” The Engineer doesn’t say a word, reaches into his wallet,
pulls out a five-dollar bill and hands it to the Programmer. Now, it’s
the Engineer’s turn. He asks the Programmer: “What goes up a hill with
three legs, and comes down with four?” The Programmer looks at him with a
puzzled look, he takes out his laptop computer and searches all his
references. He taps into the Airphone with his modem and searches the
Net and the Library of Congress. Frustrated, he sends e-mails to all his
co-workers and friends he knows. All to no avail.
After
over an hour, he wakes the Engineer and hands him $50. The Engineer
politely takes the $50 and turns away to get back to sleep. The
Programmer, more than a little miffed, shakes the Engineer and asks,
“Well, so what IS the answer?” Without a word, the Engineer reaches into
his wallet, hands the Programmer $5 and goes back to sleep.
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