Aliens and handedness

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Aliens and handedness Anonymous 06/01/15 (Mon) 20:53:26 e5496b No.65

This isn't so much of a puzzle as a thought experiment., but I think this fits here.

Imagine that you have made contact with a distant alien civilization. Neither of you have any physical artifacts coming from the other; all you have is a text communication line. Explain the difference between left and right, assuming you have common language knowledge excepting that related to handedness. Go in as much detail as possible.

Anonymous 06/15/15 (Mon) 20:12:23 2606da No.69

When one stands facing North, West is on the left and East is on the right.

But, when one stands facing South, the East is on the left and the West is on the right.

Left and right are directions that are oriented by one's body.

Anonymous 06/16/15 (Tue) 08:57:00 e5496b No.70

>>69

On the Earth, how does one define north vs. south anyways? Of the two poles, how did we decide to call one the north?

Anonymous 06/23/15 (Tue) 04:33:33 e5496b No.72

>>70

I mean, east and west can be defined be where the sun/stars rise and set, but what about north and south?

Anonymous 07/22/15 (Wed) 09:56:09 08a589 No.83

You could use the fact that you share a language to explain direction. If, for example, they understand written english, you could say them that they're reading from left to right.

Anonymous 07/28/15 (Tue) 16:06:35 e5496b No.84

>>83

>excepting that related to handedness.

That includes standard direction of reading, etc.