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Saturday, June 10, 2006

What's next, Thumb Wars?

There was an article in today's Dallas Morning News about a federal judge in Tampa, Florida who decided to use a time-honored, yet somewhat antiquated method of solving a dispute. Apparently, the two opposing attorneys before him could not settle on the location of a witness deposition, so he forced their hand -- literally. He ordered them to settle this dispute by engaging in a round of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Now like I said, this was only to settle the LOCATION of the proceedings, not to settle any sort of guilty/not guilty conclusion. But can you imagine if it was?

Mr. Foreman of the Jury, have you reached a decision?
Yes, Your Honor, we have. In the issue of Snodgrass vs. Dewey, Paper covered Rock, and so we find the defendant GUILTY of five counts of murder...

This might be something interesting to try in the classroom next year though. Maybe I can convince the kids that, instead of running to me to tattle on their classmates, they can peacefully settle their disputes with an invigorating round of this classic battle of wits.

6 comments:

HappyChyck said...

The power of RPS totally amazes me. Since I saw it in action between two parents in a decision to decide who was to change the baby's diaper, I have taken it much more seriously.

Perhaps you could start it in the classroom--perhaps you could even send student to compete.
http://www.rpschamps.com/

Mrs. T said...

Thumb wars would be much more entertaining. But with RPS, there is never any question or argument. It is what it is and it must appeal to us on some primitive level. Rock break scissor. You kill buffalo. I find fire.

Mister Teacher said...

Yeah, I guess I will have to give it the credit it deserves...
I'm no good at it myself -- I always like to be paper. After a while, my opponent is on to my ploy...

Anonymous said...

Or perhaps "Feats of Strength" would be fitting. When 2 students cannot work it out, well, the kid who can lift the most chairs over his head wins! Might makes right! Right?

Mister Teacher said...

Steelman, my misguided friend, might does not make right -- although pyrite looks kind of bright and full of light at night, right?
Anyway, like I was saying, "Feats of Strength?" What do you think this is -- Festivus?

Anonymous said...

we used RPS for EVERYTHING when I was in college. i'd never thought to use it in the classroom.