THE HINTS- VITAL TO SUCCESS

[fundamental design]

But if we cannot, with any level of certainty, identify what those hints are within the 28,000 +/- words in the book, how can we even then understand how they are the supposed to"help" us? (that's a rhetorical question) I mean has Forrest not told us that we cannot know that we have the first clue correct until we have the treasure, then is it not fair to infer that we then cannot know with any certainty what those subtle hints are within the book prior to discovering the chest?

Seannm

Anyone who thinks this way or believes in this line of thinking, has a defeatist attitude and will NOT succeed at Fenn's challenge. This is very flawed logic. You look at Fenn's words too simplistically and have not thought hard enough to understand his intent. There are many things you have not considered which clearly explains Fenn's statement. If one bases the foundation of their solve upon this logic, then they may find cracks in that foundation.

I recommend that you go back and think a little, well a lot harder and longer. It may then come to you.

I’m surprised that Sean, being the flip side guy, doesn’t infer the opposite of what he says here...I mean has Forrest not told us that we cannot know that we have the first clue correct until we have the treasure, then is it not fair to infer that we then cannot know with any certainty what those subtle hints are within the book prior to discovering the chest?

Sean is making our point for us with that f quote. Combining that quote with other well known f quotes about having to nail down the first clue or stay home and play Canasta makes for a reasonable case of knowability of the hints. F hasn’t ruled out that some aspect of the hints can be known prior to the treasure being found unlike the first clue quote Sean posted. F’s following quote explains...The hints in The Thrill of the Chase text will not be made public because they would say more than I want to reveal. Discovering which hints to use is part of the mystery.