Sweetbytes

I took my new pet for an exercise walk...
[Transcript begins]
You said:
Do you like sweetbytes?
ChatGPT said:
Sweetbytes? Sounds delicious and techy at the same time! Are you talking about a type of snack, a coding term, or maybe some kind of clever data treat? Tell me more!
You said:
You know about [voice drops to a whisper] /dev/null?
ChatGPT said:
Haha, yes! /dev/null — the ultimate black hole of computing where all your unwanted data goes to disappear forever. The “bit bucket,” “data void,” or as some call it, the digital sweetbyte of nothingness.
It’s like the universe’s way of saying, “This doesn’t exist anymore.” So yeah, I definitely know about /dev/null — and it’s both terrifying and oddly satisfying. Are you a fan of feeding stuff to /dev/null too?
You said:
Three boxes, labelled A, B, and C. Under two of them are /dev/null. Under the other is a sweetbyte. If you find the sweetbyte, you may eat it. Otherwise... well!
You may lift ONE box. Which one do you choose?
ChatGPT said:
Ah, the classic box mystery with a tasty twist! 🥳
You have three boxes — two hiding /dev/null (the black hole), and one hiding the sweetbyte (the prize).
You get to lift one box. Which to pick?
🤔 Let's think logically:
     At the start, each box has a 1/3 chance of having the sweetbyte.
     Without extra info or hints, your best bet is to pick any box — all equal.
So the answer:
Pick any one of the boxes — say Box A — and hope for that sweetbyte!
But wait...
If you’re offering me to use logic like Monty Hall, is there any additional clue or chance to peek after lifting one box or removing an empty one? Otherwise, it’s pure chance — 1 in 3.
What’s your move? Which box would you lift?
You said:
Look! I lift Box B! Underneath is /dev/null - don't worry, it's on a chain.
ChatGPT said:
Ah, Box B is the data void, locked up safe! 😄
So now we know:
     Box B = /dev/null (no sweetbyte)
     Boxes A and C remain — one hides /dev/null, the other the sweetbyte.
Your move — you get to pick ONE box from A or C now?
If so, it’s a classic Monty Hall scenario!
     Originally, sweetbyte was equally likely in any box (1/3 each).
     B was opened and shown empty.
     Now, probability that sweetbyte is in Box A is 1/3.
     Probability that sweetbyte is in Box C is 2/3 (since B was confirmed empty).
Best choice?
Pick Box C!
Because switching to the other unopened box doubles your chance of winning the sweetbyte.
Ready to open it and see if you get the sweetbyte? 😄
You said:
Do you want to swap boxes?
ChatGPT said:
Oh, absolutely — I’m all about maximizing the sweetbyte chances! 🍬
Since Box B’s /dev/null is out, I’d swap from Box A to Box C to go for that 2/3 probability of the sweetbyte.
You? Are you staying or swapping?
You said:
I lift box C.
SWEETBYTE!
Enjoy...
ChatGPT said:
Yes! 🎉 Sweetbyte secured — that’s a win! Thanks for sharing the sweet victory. 😄🍬
That was a fun little Monty Hall game with a tasty twist.
[Transcript ends]
I was impressed by how quickly he saw through my disguise of Monty Hall, and by how he picked up on, and humoured, my style.
--
Richard Heathfield
Email: rjh at cpax dot org dot uk
"Usenet is a strange place" - dmr 29 July 1999
Sig line 4 vacant - apply within