A question for you, escapists.

Recommended Videos

Sunrider

Add a beat to normality
Nov 16, 2009
1,064
0
0
I'm with the OP on this one. While a lot of people might consider me a lesser person for this (which I probably am, in ways), I doubt I'd even hesitate. Sorry.
 

game-lover

New member
Dec 1, 2010
1,447
1
0
I can't promise that I wouldn't press the button.

Mostly, I'm a selfish person. I've already mentioned my life is worth more to me than the lives of most everybody else.

So I think if I were given the option, I'd probably take it.
 

alrekr

New member
Mar 11, 2010
551
0
0
Well if this goes anyawy at all like it did in the film "The Box" then no.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Box_%282009_film%29

Also I would like to believe that I could make my life a success without some mystical box; pressing it would make the so called "perfect" life hollow.

That is unless of course it allows me to make the communistic dream that is Star Trek come true...
 

Xman490

Doctorate in Danger
May 29, 2010
1,186
0
0
If my "every whim" would be able to include reimbursing the families for their losses, then yes. Oh, I love loopholes!
 

OldNewNewOld

New member
Mar 2, 2011
1,494
0
0
I'm not really sure. I can't be 100% unless I find my self in the said situations.
That said, probably yes.

Also, there is another question, or better to say 2. If I say no, will the button still exist and give the chance to someone else? Will the button vanish when someone (me or someone else) pushes it?
If the answer for both question is yes, then yes, I would press is 100%.
2 reasons.

1. My "perfect" life would be a life where I would have a huge, positive impact on humanity.
2. If I don't press it, someone else will press it for sure. That someone's "perfect" life could have a huge negative impact on humanity.

Also, the definition of what we get from pushing the button is to vague. Needs more clarification. Is the "best life ever" defined by the person pushing the button or by the button. Someone's "best life ever" could include all his wishes coming true. Or someones best life could be "the best life ever" + "those 5 people will survive".
 

Feylynn

New member
Feb 16, 2010
559
0
0
Unfortunately I'm fairly sure I would press that button.
Mostly because you haven't specified physical limits on "anything" and there are some things It is not possible to achieve through effort and good will.

Also, maybe I'm a worse person for it, but it's hard for me to see the impact of the number 5 without coming face to face with it.
 

Twilight_guy

Sight, Sound, and Mind
Nov 24, 2008
7,131
0
0
No. For two reasons. One I'm not going to put my well-being above someone else's and Two, once you've reached the top and have everything taken care of then their is no where to go but down. Once you have everything its boring, conflict is what makes life interesting. Aside from that, being handed the world on a silver platter isn't the way I want it to go down.
 

Kotaro

Desdinova's Successor
Feb 3, 2009
794
0
0
No. Fucking. Way.
I would never be able to live with myself if I did.
 

Kizi

New member
Apr 29, 2011
276
0
0
You know, when I think about right now, hypothetically, I say I'd probably do it.
However, if it really would come to this, I'd never press the button. I just wouldn't be able to live with myself.
 

Weslebear

New member
Dec 9, 2009
606
0
0
For the greater good and all, loss of 5 people yes but what if my whim to be catered to is the rebuilding of 3rd world countries?

The power that this gives means ofcourse I would, I would feel mild guilt yes but the good that could be done with that power outdoes that by a lot.
 

dickywebster

New member
Jul 11, 2011
497
0
0
Depends how its done, if its random, id leave it alone, but if it worked like a death note or i could just target clones, id have to think about it.
 

the spud

New member
May 2, 2011
1,408
0
0
Would I? In a heartbeat. In the time it takes you to read this post more than 5 people will have died. I will never meet them, so why should I care? Besides, even if you are hung up on killing people, you could just use your newfound power and fame to save even more lives. It's a win-win. The only people who should have any sort of problem pressing the button would be deontologists.
 

ThePurpleStuff

New member
Apr 30, 2010
424
0
0
I wouldn't press it if it was for me and only me, I'm not that selfish. Getting handed everything you want makes life pointless, life is about working for everything, it sucks and its hard work, but you gotta deal with it. Just suck it up when it gets so hard your psyche crashes for awhile, being depressed brings nothing but depression to your other family members or friends.

I would however press it if it fixed the problems in less fortunate countries, I have a roof over my head, food, lots of video games and a computer with internet, my life is fine as it is. But people are dying of disease in Africa, still, after all this time, I would press it to fix problems like that, 5 people are a small price to pay to save the lives of those who don't have what I already do. Who knows, I may be killing people who deserve it, like murderers or child molesters.
 

Stormpigeon

New member
Nov 22, 2009
73
0
0
A very easy question to answer believing in your own moral character when it's hypothetical, but a far harder one if you were actually faced with it.
I would instantly press the button. And I'd probably forget fairly quickly that people died for my choice because I'd be having far too much fun.
And I'm far too cynical to believe that anybody faced with that choice rather than a hypothetical one would not push the button.
 

GeorgW

ALL GLORY TO ME!
Aug 27, 2010
4,806
0
0
I'd do it easily. I'll make up for it by advancing technology, which will save many more lives than 5.