Topic: Paradoxical Questions

This is something I heard awhile ago and nobody I talked to about this couldn't ultimately figure out an answer.

Ok, since Pinocchio's nose is known for growing, what makes it grow? Well, his nose grows when he lies, that's what. So if he said, "my nose is about to grow", without immediately saying anything before or after that sentence in a "normal nose" state, what would happen?

If he said, "my nose is about to grow", and then it actually grew, it would be true, wouldn't it? But why would it grow if it was true about him saying it would grow?

On the other hand, if he said, "my nose is about to grow", and it didn't grow, then it would be a lie, and because it's a lie, wouldn't it have a reason to grow?

What do you think?

This statement is false.

LOL, I could've sworn that I saw this paradox in one of those Funny Pictures sites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinocchio_paradox#A_Possible_Sol...

Ok, why is it false?

Because it's true.

The statement "This statement is false" is false.

The statement "The statement "This statement is false" is false" is false

...

Explain why it is false without using that sentence or anything similar to it again...you know what i'm talking about...

@Electricmastro You can't prove a paradox either way. That's what makes it a paradox.

Ok, you ask one and see what type of fun results you get.

There's no right answer to that. That's why it's a paradox. Oddly enough I just saw Egoraptor say this in a Game Grumps video.

A paradox can almost always be solved in ways. It just takes some very analytical thinking... and the acceptance that there never will be a dignified "correct" answer.

I heard it from The Archfiend.

The statement is originally false, so his nose will grow an infinitesimal amount. Once that infinitesimal growth has occurred, the statement is now true so his nose will stop growing.

Think of it as an algorithm:

statement = true/false;
while(statement == false){
Nose.Grow();
}

and you have your answer.

Easy!

EDIT: as a corollary, consider this: Pinnochio can grow his nose by quickly alternating between saying "My nose is growing" and "my nose is not growing" assuming that the process by which his nose grows has a non-zero time between states. Thus, he can sustain infinite growth!

...

I respond to your elaborate and complex statement with:

@Wheels2050 That actually makes sense. I never would have come up with that.
Granted, he could just say a false statement repeatedly to also sustain infinte growth. He could say stuff like "inanimate objects have emotions," and the job would get done all the same.

@moomoo: That's true, I just thought him alternating lies would have a more dramatic effect for any onlookers

It would be so much cooler if Pinocchio just explodes.

If there is a rule stating that there has to be an exception to every rule, then that rule would have an exception.

But what would be an exception to a rule stating that there has to be an exception every rule?
It has no exception.... But it has to, it's a rule..