Key Mystery Part Three: Clue Details
7 Comments Published by Matt on Friday, April 4, 2008 at 9:17 AM.
As per many requests, here is detailed information and photos of the key and the letter.
The Key
The Letter
The Key
- 10 inches long
- about 3lbs
- Metal
- Ornate handle with a face repeated on the front and back
- "squalloopi" printed in a smudged manner on cut white paper. Affixed with packing tape.
- I lifted the tape, there is nothing underneath on the paper or the key.
The Letter
- Printed via computer (probably on a laser printer) on brown paper
- No return address
- QR-code at upper left corner - after decoding it reads "If you have gone far enough to read this message then haven't you already made up your mind? Is the choice really even yours? This is a prisoner's dilemma after all."
- Click image to see the full page scan
I'm starting to think this might be in part a study to see how far people will go in a "prisoner's dilemma" situation. The initial letter sets you up to participate or not participate. To NOT participate leads to a punishment. You can participate in 2 ways: the first is to try to solve the mystery; the second is to email your non-participation. I think the classic prisoner's dilemma is 2 choices - participate or not. A variation includes a punishment option and a recent study of this version demonstrated that those who dole out punishment perform poorly overall. Either way, I'm not sure if this helps.
As far as who sent you this, I'd think about people who know you professionally.
Regarding the comment: Anonymous
April 3, 2008 8:09:00 AM EST
you dont want to know what it means
if this is a clue from the puzzlemaster, he doesn't say "have to" or "need to" know - try emphasizing each word for different meanings.
Nice job decoding the corner message.
Question: how was the package sent? Is it trackable? Was it sent from New York?
damn it! now I can;t get any work done.
hes on to something
Alright, Mersh, here's a new way of looking at "squalloopi."
OOP has a bunch of meanings...out of print or object-oriented programming (A schematic paradigm for computer programming in which the linear concepts of procedures and tasks are replaced by the concepts of objects and messages. An object includes a package of data and a description of the operations that can be performed on that data. A message specifies one of the operations, but unlike a procedure, does not describe how the operation should be carried out. C++ is an example of an object-oriented programming language.)
The acronym has other meanings here: http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?Acronym=OOP&p=dict
It can also mean To bind with a thread or cord; to join; to unite.
A squall is
1. a sudden, violent gust of wind, often accompanied by rain, snow, or sleet.
2. a sudden disturbance or commotion.
As for the "i", I got nothing.
I am so unbelievably jealous. This is so LOST! Keep me posted. Miss ya btw-
Oh "Anonymous" why must you tease us so?
I'm going to go with the Scooby Doo ending. It's Mr. Withers, from the amusement park.
If you look at it upsidedown it reads !doolends. I don't know if it will help, but just something I noticed.
Read in a mirror, "squalloopi" reads:
I POO II (to) A UPS
... and how was this sent? via UPS
What can brown do for you?