the box - Page 3

Aliantha · 10-14-2009, 06:46 AM

It's just money.

Of course, I meant the fact that they did nothing in particular to deserve me to kill them.

henry quirk · 10-14-2009, 10:13 AM

Suppose you, the button pusher were allowed multiple pushes. And what if each time you pushed the button, the chances would increase that you would kill someone you 'do' know.

In other words: first push...a stranger dies.

Second push: there's a one percent chance someone you know dies.

Third push: there's a two percent chance someone you know dies.

And so on...

For those who would push the button: what's the acceptable risk of losing a family member or friend to get another million, and another million, and another…

Shawnee123 · 10-14-2009, 10:14 AM

Ali said it all:

It's just money. Meaningless in the grand scheme...

henry quirk · 10-14-2009, 10:24 AM

Indeed. Everything is meaningless in the grand scheme. And still folks grapple with 'shoulds' and 'woulds' and 'coulds'.

Declaring it 'just money' or 'meaningless' isn't relevant.

Why?

Because if such a button existed, some folks 'would' push it. As a result: people would die.

In the grand scheme, those folks (both the pushers and the 'recipients' of the push) are 'meaningless', but, to themselves, they're everything.

Shawnee123 · 10-14-2009, 10:46 AM

The pushers will never have meaning, will never feel anything meaningful. For lack of a better phrase, their priorities are all fucked up.

Unless of course, the pusher has a sick child and a million dollars would buy them all the best medical care.

Ah, there's the rub.

classicman · 10-14-2009, 10:48 AM

I might push it if I "knew" the person, but to do it to an unknown - no way.

Sheldonrs · 10-14-2009, 11:05 AM

Ah Haa!!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734727/trivia

"The Twilight Zone" Profile in Silver/Button, Button (1986)

Richard Matheson's story for the "Button, Button" has been developed into a movie, The Box (2009/I), starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden, and scheduled for release in 2009.

Sundae · 10-14-2009, 01:40 PM

I'd push it.
I have a social conscience, but mostly I'm immoral.

I'd like £1m, and people die every day. Millions of them. Many could be prevented, especially deaths of children. If I didn't benefit, they'd die anyway - why is one deah worth more than another?

henry quirk · 10-14-2009, 02:58 PM

Taking Sundae's reasoning: I have the box, I push the button, someone close to Sundae drops dead.

Sundae, with a dead 'someone close' at your feet, can you still ask, 'why is one dea(t)h worth more than another?'

Objectively: you're absolutely right in the asking, of course.

But: right here, right now, we're talking not about a faceless stranger (an object), but one of 'yours' (a subject).

I net a million; you have a funeral to pay for.

Still feel cavalier?

#

"...people die every day. Millions of them. Many could be prevented, especially deaths of children."

As I pointed out up-thread: there's a big difference between refusing to put out the fire, and, starting the fire.

Cloud · 10-14-2009, 03:16 PM

no.

monster · 10-14-2009, 03:44 PM

I can't answer. some fucker pushed my button already

No. No way, no how would I push that button. not even once for 5 million.

Aliantha · 10-14-2009, 04:12 PM

Well in that case I'd push the button then pass it on. If we all have herpes, then no one will need to worry about catching it.

Shawnee123 · 10-14-2009, 05:16 PM

This is better:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/44b...ton?rel=player

ZenGum · 10-14-2009, 06:33 PM

Is it any different if pressing the button causes the death of a random person who could be someone you know, or could even be you.

It seems fairer to me, to push it, if there is an equal chance that it will be me who dies.

monster · 10-14-2009, 08:39 PM

What happens if you pull the button? cause there's always some fucker who pulls when it says push....

10-14-2009, 06:46 AM	#1
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	It's just money. Of course, I meant the fact that they did nothing in particular to deserve me to kill them. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-14-2009, 10:13 AM	#2
henry quirk maskless: yesterday, today, tomorrow Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,162	Suppose you, the button pusher were allowed multiple pushes. And what if each time you pushed the button, the chances would increase that you would kill someone you 'do' know. In other words: first push...a stranger dies. Second push: there's a one percent chance someone you know dies. Third push: there's a two percent chance someone you know dies. And so on... For those who would push the button: what's the acceptable risk of losing a family member or friend to get another million, and another million, and another… __________________ like the other guy sez: 'not really back, blah-blah-blah...'

10-14-2009, 10:14 AM	#3
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Ali said it all: It's just money. Meaningless in the grand scheme... __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

10-14-2009, 10:24 AM	#4
henry quirk maskless: yesterday, today, tomorrow Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,162	"It's just money. Meaningless in the grand scheme..." Indeed. Everything is meaningless in the grand scheme. And still folks grapple with 'shoulds' and 'woulds' and 'coulds'. Declaring it 'just money' or 'meaningless' isn't relevant. Why? Because if such a button existed, some folks 'would' push it. As a result: people would die. In the grand scheme, those folks (both the pushers and the 'recipients' of the push) are 'meaningless', but, to themselves, they're everything. __________________ like the other guy sez: 'not really back, blah-blah-blah...'

10-14-2009, 10:46 AM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	The pushers will never have meaning, will never feel anything meaningful. For lack of a better phrase, their priorities are all fucked up. Unless of course, the pusher has a sick child and a million dollars would buy them all the best medical care. Ah, there's the rub. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

10-14-2009, 10:48 AM	#6
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I might push it if I "knew" the person, but to do it to an unknown - no way. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-14-2009, 11:05 AM	#7
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Ah Haa!!! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734727/trivia "The Twilight Zone" Profile in Silver/Button, Button (1986) Richard Matheson's story for the "Button, Button" has been developed into a movie, The Box (2009/I), starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden, and scheduled for release in 2009. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

10-14-2009, 01:40 PM	#8
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I'd push it. I have a social conscience, but mostly I'm immoral. I'd like £1m, and people die every day. Millions of them. Many could be prevented, especially deaths of children. If I didn't benefit, they'd die anyway - why is one deah worth more than another? __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

10-14-2009, 02:58 PM	#9
henry quirk maskless: yesterday, today, tomorrow Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,162	Taking Sundae's reasoning: I have the box, I push the button, someone close to Sundae drops dead. Sundae, with a dead 'someone close' at your feet, can you still ask, 'why is one dea(t)h worth more than another?' Objectively: you're absolutely right in the asking, of course. But: right here, right now, we're talking not about a faceless stranger (an object), but one of 'yours' (a subject). I net a million; you have a funeral to pay for. Still feel cavalier? # "...people die every day. Millions of them. Many could be prevented, especially deaths of children." As I pointed out up-thread: there's a big difference between refusing to put out the fire, and, starting the fire. __________________ like the other guy sez: 'not really back, blah-blah-blah...' Last edited by henry quirk; 10-14-2009 at 03:03 PM.

10-14-2009, 03:16 PM	#10
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	no. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-14-2009, 03:44 PM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	I can't answer. some fucker pushed my button already No. No way, no how would I push that button. not even once for 5 million. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-14-2009, 04:12 PM	#12
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Well in that case I'd push the button then pass it on. If we all have herpes, then no one will need to worry about catching it. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-14-2009, 05:16 PM	#13
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	This is better: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/44b...ton?rel=player __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

10-14-2009, 06:33 PM	#14
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Is it any different if pressing the button causes the death of a random person who could be someone you know, or could even be you. It seems fairer to me, to push it, if there is an equal chance that it will be me who dies. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

10-14-2009, 08:39 PM	#15
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	What happens if you pull the button? cause there's always some fucker who pulls when it says push.... __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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