The Voynich Ninja

Abstract of work by Alexander Hartman

A percolation model inspired by crossword puzzle games is introduced. A game proceeds by solving words, which are segments of sites in a two-dimensional lattice. As a test case, the iid variant allows for independently occupying sites with letters, only the percolation criterion depends on the existence of solved words. For the game variant, inspired by real crossword puzzles, it becomes more likely to solve crossing words which share sites with the already solved words. In this way avalanches of solved words may occur. Both model variants exhibit a percolation transition as a function of the a priori site or word solving probability, respectively. The iid variant is in the universality class of standard two-dimensional percolation. The game variant exhibits a nonuniversal critical exponent ? of the correlation length. The actual value of ? depends on the function which controls how much solved words accelerate the solution of crossing words.
A percolation model inspired by crossword puzzle games is introduced. A game proceeds by solving words, which are segments of sites in a two-dimensional lattice. As a test case, the iid variant allows for independently occupying sites with letters, only the percolation criterion depends on the existence of solved words. For the game variant, inspired by real crossword puzzles, it becomes more likely to solve crossing words which share sites with the already solved words. In this way avalanches of solved words may occur. Both model variants exhibit a percolation transition as a function of the a priori site or word solving probability, respectively. The iid variant is in the universality class of standard two-dimensional percolation. The game variant exhibits a nonuniversal critical exponent [size=1][font=MJX-STX-ZERO, MJX-STX-N]? of the correlation length. The actual value of ? depends on the function which controls how much solved words accelerate the solution of crossing words.[/font][/size]

Ummm, what? In Voynichese, please?

I guess this is a reference to: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

And this could work very well... for crossword puzzles.

It is a phenomenon built into the very nature of the crossword puzzle,  otherwise it would just be called a word puzzle. The fact that the words cross give you the advantage of filled in letters in the corresponding opposite direction (across vs down) for when you hit a brick wall with the hints.

There are lots of puzzles that have these mechanisms built in, like including bonus words that can be read upon completion, or guessed upon partial completion, thereby helping to complete, or where quotes are made up of first and last words, like Syllacrostics, which I actually played this morning for the first time in years, but had forgotten that aspect. Once I remembered, I was able to finish quickly, plus as you use up the syllables, the remains words can only be made out of the leftovers, assuming the ones you enter are correct. 

So this is nothing new to puzzlers. I also didn't think much of the analogy, but with regard to the vms, once the mechanics of the text are worked out, perhaps the tea party will occur soon after. That being said, perhaps we are missing the hint that would allow us to learn the mechanism.

This looks like a great opportunity to remind people of the remarkable book described You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view..

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