Wapsi Square Forum

So the guy is being interviewed for a job, and the big boss wants to see how good he is at problem solving. So he says, "One train is coming down the track at 60 miles-per-hour, and another train is coming down the same track in the opposite direction at 45 miles-per-hour, and they're only two miles apart. What would you do?"

OK. I'm curious.

Is there a correct response that solves the problem?

Without making any extra assumptions, my answer would have to be "move away from the track at my best speed until the noise stops, call 911 and report it, and look for survivors with due concern for my own continued safety".

Sgt. Howard wrote: Leaders? Zombies- mindless, loathsome, walking contagion that never stops it's pursuit of living flesh. Used to be human. Has mental capacity of a cockroach. Leadership does not apply.

Warrl wrote:This problem (and Nadette's answer) reminds me of a question recently presented on another forum:

So the guy is being interviewed for a job, and the big boss wants to see how good he is at problem solving. So he says, "One train is coming down the track at 60 miles-per-hour, and another train is coming down the same track in the opposite direction at 45 miles-per-hour, and they're only two miles apart. What would you do?"

OK. I'm curious.

Is there a correct response that solves the problem?

My reply is the most popular in the forum - and the second most popular is about an actual railroad collision test, essentially showing that I was right:

Without making any extra assumptions, my answer would have to be "move away from the track at my best speed until the noise stops, call 911 and report it, and look for survivors with due concern for my own continued safety".

So, the President of the railroad is on an inspection tour, and his private train stops on a siding to take on water at an isolated water tank way out in the middle of the prairie. Near the tank, there's a division signal-maintainers' shack, where two guys live for six months at a time, scooting up and down the single-track mainline on a track speeder to maintain and repair signals and track turnouts for passing sidings.

One of the maintainers wander over to watch. (Six months out in the middle of nowhere before TV or the internet ... you get your amusement where you can.)

So the President introduces himself, and then says "Say - if you were out here, and you saw the westbound Daily Flier coming from over that way at seventy, and the eastbound Capital City Limited coming from over that way at sixty-five on this single-track line here, what would you do?"

Without hesitation the maintainer says "I'd yell for Charlie to get out here quick."

"Really? What could Charlie do?"

"Nothin'.

"But he ain't never seen a train wreck."

AnotherFairportfan wrote:

Catawampus wrote:

Sgt. Howard wrote:. . .you get pelted by that brass at about five feet, I assure you it HURTS!!!

Especially if it gets in your collar and goes down into your shirt.

The M1 carbine throws its brass high and back. Firing prone can be an interesting experience for the left-handed, as the hot brass tends to land right in the small of the back...

lake_wrangler wrote:

Dave wrote:I would tow it on a trailer attached to my chainsaw.

Good luck, once you run out of gas...

Catawampus wrote:Connect it to a boiler that is fueled by burning zombie bodies.

Catawampus wrote:Have you ever seen a flail-tank, for mine clearance?

lake_wrangler wrote:

Catawampus wrote:Connect it to a boiler that is fueled by burning zombie bodies.

Reduce, reuse, recycle?

FreeFlier wrote:My preferred anti-zombie weapon is a radio . . . "Bird Dog, this is Bravo Two-Six . . . I have a target . . ."

--FreeFlier

Sarge wrote: Bravo Base to Bravo Charlie...

GlytchMeister wrote:

FreeFlier wrote:My preferred anti-zombie weapon is a radio . . . "Bird Dog, this is Bravo Two-Six . . . I have a target . . ."

--FreeFlier

Sarge wrote: Bravo Base to Bravo Charlie...

Able Fox Five to Able Fox Leader ... I got a target but ya gotta be patient."

GlytchMeister wrote:That sort of situation would either tighten certain sphincters or loosen them.

GlytchMeister wrote:Take a long bo staff and put gladius-type blades at either end. Distance, cutting, but not so heavy due to short blade design. Or just at one end, so you don't cut any friendlies behind you and you know where the sharp, dangerous part is at all times.

Can be cobbled together with a sturdy, straightish stick and half of a sharpened lawn mower blade.

GlytchMeister wrote:I'm pretty sure shovels are about as close to an actual battle axe one might find in an average Midwestern garage or shed.

I'm also pretty sure somebody makes those little folding trench/camp shovels, only sharper and pointier so they also serve ok in a fight.

There is, however, one possibly more effective seemingly-innocuous-tool: The Malaysian Battle Spatula.

But if it's decapitation you're after, might wanna investigate the kukri. I've heard it's rather handy at delimbing people... Necks aren't that different.

GlytchMeister wrote:I'm pretty sure shovels are about as close to an actual battle axe one might find in an average Midwestern garage or shed.

I'm also pretty sure somebody makes those little folding trench/camp shovels, only sharper and pointier so they also serve ok in a fight.

There is, however, one possibly more effective seemingly-innocuous-tool: The Malaysian Battle Spatula.

But if it's decapitation you're after, might wanna investigate the kukri. I've heard it's rather handy at delimbing people... Necks aren't that different.

DinkyInky wrote:Um, don't you go to Bristol Ren Faire? Just get a real one... and if you're warped like my family, you'll get one for the Stepdad with a Latin inscription. ...et nunc qui habet duas.

Jabberwonky wrote:Not having a real battle axe within reach, I put one of these in the garage.

It's also handy as a shovel, of all things...

oldmanmickey wrote:well good thing i dont live in the midwest then. mine is 440 cc surgical steel. nice two headed hand axe with matching bastard sword.

FirehawkShadowchild wrote:BLAM ... Headshot ...

Although letting Zombies come this close is dangerous all in itself. Especially with a horde in the immediate area and her making noise so close to herself ...
Not the best solution if you don't want to end up as Zombie-Food(TM)