What makes a puzzle challenging?
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Experts indicate several factors that contribute to making a puzzle challenging:
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Complexity and Creativity:
- A well-designed puzzle often requires creative thinking and the ability to see problems from different perspectives. For example, AJ Jacobs discusses how puzzles, such as turning a straightforward digging task into one where a person builds a hill to escape, challenge solvers to think outside the box. This twist in perspective is key to making puzzles mentally engaging and difficult 1.
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Varied Difficulty Perceptions:
- Will Shortz, a renowned puzzle creator, highlights that puzzle difficulty can vary based on the solver's background. For instance, older solvers accustomed to traditional clues may find puzzles harder when these clues are replaced with more modern, twisty ones. Conversely, younger solvers might find these puzzles easier due to their fresh thinking patterns 2.
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Collaboration and Strategy:
- In collaborative puzzle-solving environments, the need to work with others and utilize meta-strategies adds a layer of complexity. James Altucher points out that working on puzzles with a team or coach can provide different perspectives and strategies, making the process more challenging and multifaceted 1.
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Willpower and External Factors:
- The difficulty of a puzzle can also be affected by the solver's mental state and previous exertions. Andrew Huberman explains that tasks requiring significant willpower, such as resisting a juicy temptation, can deplete mental resources, making subsequent puzzle-solving more challenging. This illustrates how external factors and mental fatigue contribute to the perceived difficulty of puzzles 3.
In essence, the challenge of a puzzle lies not only in its inherent complexity but also in the solver's creativity, background, collaborative strategies, and current mental state.
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