[Palindrome] Important message regarding the Hunt

[amittai e axelrod <amittai MIT EDU>]

Team Palindrome ("ecroforce"):

We, the Hunt Organizers, would like to correct some mistaken impressions
that you may have regarding the MIT Mystery Hunt. Although it is now
only 9 hours before the start, we hope this is ample time to clarify
what we feel is an extremely important point.

In particular, I have been shown an email from your captain, Eric
Albert, to your team, in which he states that the Palindrome Team
Philosophy includes the following:

 1. it's ok to trade answers with other teams
 2. it's ok to give answers to other teams "if they are small and not
    having fun"

Both of these are grossly incorrect assertions.

======
MIT Mystery Hunt Trvth:
    It is FORBIDDEN for ANY team to discuss ANY part of ANY puzzle
       with ANY other team during the Hunt. Period.
======

To violate this rule is to go against the Spirit of the Hunt, which is
based on honesty and trust. Suggesting that your team go against the
foundations of the Mystery Hunt is, quite frankly, unconscionable.

I am personally, as are several other current and past MIT Mystery Hunt
organizers, disgusted by Mr. Albert's letter.

Statement #1 by your captain has been banned since the 1999 MIT Mystery
Hunt. Discussing, trading, giving, selling, bartering (etc) answers and
hints between teams is explicitly disallowed.

Do not attempt to distort that to your advantage in any way.

Statement #2 by your captain is both incredibly arrogant and misguided.
It is both the responsibility of and at the discretion of the current
Hunt Organizers to give out hints at all, much less puzzle answers. If
you think a team is not having enough fun during the Hunt, please call
us, the Organizers, and communicate your thoughts so that we may take
action.

We the Organizers are hopeful that you, as a team, will be aware of
(and abide by) the rules and spirit of the MIT Mystery Hunt, so that
we can all have an enjoyable and rewarding time.

See you in Lobby 7,

~amittai (for the 2004 MIT Mystery Hunt Organizers)