Rock, paper, scissors, meet your new dad

Goal:

1. Add a fourth item to rock, paper, scissors
2. The item must fit between rock and paper, paper and scissors, or scissors and rock
3. The item must affect only its nearest neighbors

Methodology:

1. Identify candidate objects
2. Evaluate interactions between candidate object and rock, paper, and scissors

Results:

1. Five candidate objects were evaluated. They are:
• Blowtorch
• LP record
• Coffee beans
  
• Coffin
• Money
2. Of these candidates, Coffin is the most suitable addition to rock, paper, scissors
3. Detailed results:
• Blowtorch is able to burn paper and melt scissors. Blowtorch has no effect on rock.
• LP record can be smashed by rock and can cover scissors, but has no effect on paper.
• Coffee beans do not interact with rock, paper, or scissors.
• Coffin can house the remains of scissors, and can be nailed shut with rock. Paper does not interact with coffin.
• Money can purchase scissors, but does interacts with neither rock nor paper.

Analysis:

1. Of the candidates, LP record and coffin offer the most promise as additions to rock, paper, and scissors. LP record can be smashed by rock and can cover scissors, but these interactions are not new.
2. Coffin not only introduces new interactions (i.e. "hammering shut," and "housing remains"), but does so with panache.
   

Further study:

1. Additional analysis is needed to determine whether coffin and paper are truly inert with respect to each other.
2. Other objects may prove more suitable than coffin. This study has determined only that coffin is the best choice among the five candidates evaluated.