The illogical nature of 'rock paper scissors'
If one takes a minute to really analyze the game of 'rock, paper, scissors' (RPS), it becomes readily apparent that the game is deeply flawed and illogical. This stems from the fact that 'scissors' is a part of the game's weaponry. Another element that is troubling is the fact that both competitors in a RPS match throw out their hand signals simultaneously. This promotes sheer dumb luck as an effective problem-solving tool! In reality, taking charge of a situation (beating it out of someone), or thorough discussion are far superior methods of conflict resolution. If you employ this game to help make tough decisions, you'll be resigning yourself to believing like there is some sort of "level playing field" - a sad mistake. To the VICTOR goes the spoils.
In looking at 'Rock' & 'Paper' you are not facing any moral, logical challenges. It is quite fitting that they would occupy two key roles in this game. They are both naturally-derived. They have both served to edify humanity. Stone has enabled us to construct great institutions of learning, and paper has made it possible to disseminate valuable information within these great places of learning. Rock and paper are the two main reasons that humankind has progressed to such an advanced state of being.
Unfortuntely, RPS gameplay forces you to buy in to a ridiculous system. It may come close to being an effective game, but a problem arises with the third weapon in the weapon set: Scissors.
Scissors are obsolete
Scissors cannot be drawn into the same realm as rock and paper. One of the main reasons for this is that they have hinges. The scissor as we know it is in direct opposition to itself, which renders it useless. A house divided in itself cannot stand. This equation is a clear demonstration of the point:
- 1+(-1) = 1-1 = 0
You probably first learned this in elementary school, right around the time you first starting learning to play RPS! What an irony. What does this imply? Well, if
- 1+(-1) = 1-1 = 0
Then
- scissor blade (positive) + scissor blade (negative) = 1-1 = 0
Would it then not make sense for absolutely anything to have more substance than the scissors, which have a sum total of NOTHING? Even an object of entirely negative substance would hold more sway than the neutral scissors.
In addition, you know what you're getting into with 'rock' or 'paper'. Rock is dense. Hard. Heavy. Solid. Paper is thin. Malleable. Square. It comes in reams. Simple! SCISSORS have many variations: metal, ceramic, plastic. Sharp, dull, patterned. Small (haircutting scissors); Large (pruning shears). They're a frustratingly predictable tool. Who is to say that an industrial pair of pruning shears couldn't shatter a delicate river stone? Who's to say that a pair of children's scissors couldn't be rendered unusable by a few layers of stout butcher's paper?
Not you, and not I.
Scissors can rust & they're shiny! To hell with scissors! They're inconstant.
Enter RPE...
When the game of 'Rock, paper, etc.' (henceforth "RPE") was conceived of, we knew it would strike fear in the hearts of the World Rock Paper Scissor Society. The next page is an explanation of rpe.