The Magic 8 ball, a popular toy used for fortune-telling, is known for its iconic response: "Outlook not so good." This answer is widely recognized and often associated with negative outcomes or unfavorable prospects. When a question is asked to the Magic 8 ball, it is shaken, and one of twenty possible answers will appear in a small window on the bottom. These answers range from positive and affirmative outcomes to negative and discouraging ones. The response "outlook not so good" is one of the more pessimistic answers offered by the Magic 8 ball. This answer can be unsettling or frustrating for those seeking guidance or reassurance.

Proposed Holiday: Magic 8 Ball Day

As Minister of Stupidity, it recently was brought to my attention there is no real summer holiday between the stellar events of July 20 (Apollo Moon Landing, 1969) and Labor Day.

Sure, if you are a heathen or a teacher, there’s always that first day of school thing, but, seriously, not exactly a holiday. There is also the first day of football practice. But again, although somewhat exciting to be back at football, two-a-day really are not anyone’s real idea of a holiday.

So where are we left now? The Holiday Desert.

I would like to propose a new holiday. A holiday which does not take itself too seriously and may or may not involve a day off (mostly depending of whether you are willing to spend your own leave time.)

The new holiday is Magic 8 Ball Day. I propose a date of August 8th to hold this new esteemed holiday. On Magic 8 Ball Day, one should only respond to questions with standard answers from the most famous toy-with-a-dark-purpose ever invented. The toy which can read the stars and give the most relevant answer to life’s biggest questions.

Q: “Magic 8 Ball, is today a good day to tell my boss to !@#$-off?”

A: “REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN”

Q: “Magic 8 Ball, should I buy my wife a nice gift because she’s so awesome?”

A: “OUTLOOK NOT SO GOOD.”

Are you starting to see the beauty of Magic 8 Ball Day? It will be the perfect day to find answers to your burning questions.

To get the inaugural Magic 8 Ball Day off to a rousing start, here are the 20 possible Magic 8 Ball answers:

• It is certain
• It is decidedly so
• Without a doubt
• Yes definitely
• You may rely on it
• As I see it, yes
• Most likely
• Outlook good
• Yes
• Signs point to yes
• Reply hazy try again
• Ask again later
• Better not tell you now
• Cannot predict now
• Concentrate and ask again
• Don’t count on it
• My reply is no
• My sources say no
• Outlook not so good
• Very doubtful

Happy Magic 8 Ball Day!

You’re welcome, in advance.

the Magic
Ball

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This web page simulates the famous "Magic Eight Ball" toy, a registered trademark of Mattel Inc. Mattel Inc. is neither affiliated with this site, nor with authors of this site.

Making a Magic Eight Ball

In this project we will use variables and random numbers to create a simulated Magic Eight Ball, the goofy item sold in junky shops in malls.

There is no starting file for this project; you will create it all yourself. Save it as "8ball" in your directory.

TELL YOUR TEACHER WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED

Drawing the Sprites

Start Scratch, and remove the default cat sprite (reminder: right click on a sprite in the sprite list and choose "delete"). Click the "Paint new sprite" button to draw the 8-ball. You will probably want to zoom out using the controls in the bottom-center of this dialog. Draw a large black filled circle, then a smaller white one over the center.

Click OK to save the sprite, and give it a name, like "Eightball".

Now we need a sprite for the center. This is the sprite we will click on, and which will Say the 8-ball's response. (We could just have the ball "say" the answers, but the speech balloon would be up in the corner of the stage.) Pick or draw any sprite you'd like to fit roughly inside the white area. You could paint the dark blue triangle found in the real object, or even just crop the cat sprite's head and use that. (To modify the overall size of a sprite, use the Grow and Shrink Sprite tools in the five button group above the stage.) When you are done, give it an appropriate name. This example will use "Triangle".

Scripting the Application

The Magic 8-Ball utilizes a floating icosahedron moving through fluid to return a random answer. To randomize data in Scratch, we have the Pick Random command in the Numbers menu. But since this command can only generate a random number, not text, we must do the work to associate each random number with a particular phrase -- much like in the Quiz project. Also, we must store the random number in a variable , as the code needs to check it several times until it finds a match.

Click on the Triangle sprite (or whatever you have named yours). First, decide which action you wish to trigger the 8-Ball, and drag its control block into the Scripts area. For example, When Triangle clicked .

Now we need to create and store a random number in a variable . Go into the variables menu and click "Make a variable". Name it "RandomNo". The script blocks for variables will appear. Drag the Set [RandomNo] to. block and attach it under the control block in your Triangle sprite. This variable will hold our random number. You can uncheck the box beside RandomNo as we have no need to see it on the stage.

Go into the Numbers menu and drag the Pick Random. block onto the text field at the end of your Set [RandomNo] to. block, so it now says "Set RandomNo to Pick Random. ". In the rightmost text field of Pick Random , type in the number of responses you want your 8-Ball to have -- at least five. With this one simple line, we have now generated a random number between two values, and assigned it to a variable.

Now to create the response blocks. Go to the Control menu. There needs to be one for each phrase, but it will be simple to create the first one and then copy it to create the rest, simply modifying the copies afterwards. Written in plain English, the code for each would be: "Is the random number equal to the number that I'm looking for? If it is equal, say my phrase. If not equal, ignore it." Since the checking code isn't interested in alternate numbers, we know we need simply the If [ ] block rather than the If [ ] else block. Drag one over and attach it to the bottom of your existing script blocks.

The If blocks, along with Wait Until and Repeat Until , have a "pointed" socket to accept a Test block. These testing blocks are found in the Numbers menu. We know our response code is checking for equality, so drag an [ ] = [ ] block over to the pointed socket in your If block. Since we are testing the RandomNo variable, we'll need to reference that in the script. In the Variables menu, drag RandomNo over on the first text field in the Equals block ( giving [ RandomNo ] = [ ] ). In the other text field, click to give it keyboard focus and type in the number 1. Now that our If block is checking for the value of RandomNo, we only need to have it do something.

Open the Looks menu and drag a Say [ ] for [ ] secs block into the "mouth" of your If block. (You could use a Think block too, as Magic 8-Balls don't talk) Now type in the first text field of the Say block a response for this random number -- "Yes", "No", "Maybe", or make your own. Then fill in the length of time to display the text. One second would be rather short, so make sure it is two seconds or longer.

Now you've finished your first test case! You know where all the blocks are by now, but since there's hardly any modification to the test cases, you can simply copy this first one the number of cases for which you need responses (five or however many more you've made). Be sure the mouse cursor is over the mustard color of the If block, right click, and choose duplicate. Move the new blocks underneath the existing ones and snap them into place. Now you just need to modify the code for each new test -- the number that RandomNo is being tested against, and the response the ball gives.

• As I see it, yes
• It is certain
• It is decidedly so
• Most likely
• Outlook good
• Signs point to yes
• Without a doubt
• Yes
• Yes - definitely
• You may rely on it

• Reply hazy, try again
• Ask again later
• Better not tell you now
• Cannot predict now
• Concentrate and ask again

• Don't count on it
• My reply is no
• My sources say no
• Outlook not so good
• Very doubtful

Testing

Now, click the Triangle sprite on the stage, and see if your script executes as you expect. If something doesn't seem right, look over each testing block and make sure it is correct. Be sure that each random value that may be picked (for example, "1 to 5" would pick any number between one and five, inclusive) has a corresponding test block in the script. Forgetting one would lead to a case where the ball would say nothing when clicked, or might say two things.

Extras

This Magic 8-Ball works, but lacks a little pizazz. You could first tidy up the ball, adding shiny spots and shading. And the stage looks a little bland too. Here are some ideas for additions to really make your project stand out:

• The ball could look like you are turning it over before the answer appears. Copy the costume of the Eightball, and edit the new costume so it has a number 8 over the white spot. Then, you could put two Broadcast blocks with a Wait delay in middle in the Triangle script. Giving each Broadcast block its own message name, you could add the corresponding When I Receive [broadcast] blocks in the Eightball script to have it switch costumes to the "8", then after the wait, switch back to the plain. You'd have to add a Hide and then a Show block to Triangle also. do you know where they would go?
• What if the ball shook for a few seconds as it was turned over? A Repeat [ ] block in the Eightball would let you shake it back and forth several times, using the Set or Change position blocks in the Motion menu. Maybe you could even randomize the amount of shake each time.
• What if you could make the answer Triangle slowly fade into view after the 8-Ball was turned back over, just like the real thing? You can, very easily. Have you seen a block that controls sprite visual effects? Try the Change or Set [Ghost] effect blocks.

Remember to save your project in your directory!

TELL YOUR TEACHER WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED

This answer can be unsettling or frustrating for those seeking guidance or reassurance. It suggests that the current situation or endeavor may not result in a favorable outcome. It can be interpreted as a warning to reconsider or reevaluate the path being pursued.

The Magic 8 ball, despite being a simple toy, has garnered a significant following and has become a symbol for seeking answers to life's uncertainties. While its responses are random, they can still influence the mindset and emotions of those who consult it. The answer "outlook not so good" can evoke feelings of disappointment, discouragement, or a need to change course. It is essential to remember that the Magic 8 ball is merely a novelty item and should not be relied upon for serious decision-making. Its responses are based on random chance, and its reliability or accuracy cannot be substantiated. It is best used for entertainment purposes rather than as a tool for serious guidance or decision-making. In conclusion, the Magic 8 ball's answer of "outlook not so good" should be taken with a grain of salt. While it may indicate potential challenges or unfavorable outcomes, it is ultimately up to the individual to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to shape their own future..

Reviews for "The Magic 8 Ball as a Reflection of Society's Fear of the Unknown"

1. John Doe - 1/5 - The Magic 8 ball answers outlook not so good was a truly disappointing experience for me. I found the overall presentation and features to be lackluster and underwhelming. The responses from the Magic 8 ball were repetitive and uninspiring, leaving me feeling unengaged and unsatisfied. Additionally, the interface was clunky and difficult to navigate, further diminishing my enjoyment of the app. Overall, I would not recommend this app to anyone seeking a fun and entertaining fortune-telling experience.

2. Jane Smith - 2/5 - I had high hopes for the Magic 8 ball answers outlook not so good, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The predictions provided by the app were often vague and generic, leading to a lack of accuracy in the answers. Moreover, the interface was outdated and unappealing, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the app. Although the concept is interesting, the execution was lacking, making it a less-than-desirable fortune-telling experience.

3. David Johnson - 2/5 - As a fan of fortune-telling apps, I was excited to try the Magic 8 ball answers outlook not so good. However, I was left feeling disappointed and let down. The responses given by the app were predictable and failed to provide any real insight or guidance. I also found the design and layout of the app to be outdated and unappealing. Overall, I believe there are much better fortune-telling apps available on the market, rendering the Magic 8 ball answers outlook not so good unnecessary and unimpressive.

From Mystic to Meme: Examining the Magic 8 Ball's Cultural Impact