Addiction Can Become Expensive

I wrote in my post about our trip to Ruovesi that as a result of my puzzling we drove past an intersection and that we had to drive over 100 km too much. It cost us of course time and gas, but that is nothing compared to what happened in Sydney. Reuters reported a week ago that

Sudoku addicts halt drugs trial.

An Australian drugs trial lasting more than three months and costing taxpayers over A$1 million ($947,000) has been aborted after a number of jurors were found to have spent up to half the time playing Sudoku puzzles.

Sydney District Court Judge Peter Zahra cancelled the trial of two men on drugs conspiracy charges after the jury foreperson admitted that four to five jurors had been playing the addictive number sequence game. The judge was alerted after some of the jurors were observed writing their notes vertically, rather than horizontally. The game involves completing a grid of numbers in the correct sequence.

One juror said the game helped them to pay more attention by keeping their mind busy.

"Some of the evidence is rather drawn out and I find it difficult to maintain my attention the whole time," the juror was quoted saying by the Australian Associated Press.

A new trial is expected to begin in a few weeks once a new jury has been called.

I am a multitasker and usually I draw pictures or do something else while talking on the phone. Easy Sudoku’s don’t need very much attention and can be used as means to keep oneself awake. However this is not preferable when there is the possibility that you miss something important. Tough spots in the puzzle can steal all your concentration and get you in trouble :)