Sense and Sensibleness - Lauren Ipsum: A Story About Computer Science and Other Improbable Things - page 8

“I'm looking for a path back to Hamilton. The Wandering Salesman said I just have to go
everywhere I've never been before, and eventually I'll find my way home. But . . .”
“But what, dear?”
“I don't know, something about what he said doesn't make sense.”
“It might make sense , but it may not be sensible ,” said Eponymous.
“Isn't that the same thing?” asked Laurie.
“Many things make sense but are not sensible at all! You can go from the front door to the
back door by walking through the house, right?”
“Sure.”
“You can also walk around the outside of the house, or even all the way around the planet, to
do the same thing. Many ways make sense, but only some are sensible.”
“Then I want to find a sensible way,” said Laurie. “I don't want to walk all around the plan-
et!”
“So,” Eponymous said, “we have named and framed your problem: Laurie's Quest is to find
the shortest path home.”
“But how do I do that?” asked Laurie. “Is it difficult?”
“You'll never know unless you try. The next town up the road is called Symbol. Have you
been there before?”
“No, I've never even heard of it.”
“Then it sounds perfect. Just follow Bach Avenue out of town, and take a left at Recursion
Junction.”
“That's great!” said Laurie. “Xor, let's go. Oh, that's right,” she remembered. “Do you know
anything about how to find Steganosauruses?”
Eponymous smiled. “Who's been telling you stories like that, my dear girl? Steganosauruses
don't exist.”