[jwpeddle]

No information is added, it just gives all islanders a synchronized reference point to sort themselves into groups. It's the synchronization that matters, not the info itself, per se. Once they all start sorting themselves on the same day (and KNOW that all other residents are doing the same) they start the countdown to day 100.

[plaid_hatter]

The information that is added is that the knowledge is made common or infinite degree (ie. everyone knows that everyone knows that everyone knows......that there is someone with blue eyes)

[axus]

The time which everyone made an accurate count was the new common knowledge. I believe the traveler's words added no new information, or even his presence (other than bringing everyone together). It was the gathering together, where everyone could see everyone else, and know that counts were synchronized.

I think if there were an earlier all-hands-meeting without the traveler, the counts would have been synchronized then.

So, the faux pas had no effect, but he still "caused" it by accident. So, to combine the two arguments from the main link:

The foreigner's words have no effect, because his comments do not tell the tribe anything that they do not already know. On the 100th day, the blue eyed people commit suicide, unless they die/leave/disappear first.