Poll: If You Could Take One Cent From Everyone In the World.

[Olas]

Completely hypothetical scenario: Let's say that somehow you discovered a way to to steal exactly one penny, or the monetary equivalent in countries with different currencies, from everyone in the world who has at least cent to their name. Since there are currently 7+ billion people in the world, probably most of which having at least some money, it's a pretty sure bet that you'll walk away with over 40 million dollars.

There's no chance you'll be caught. It's unlikely that anyone will even notice (or even care about) just one missing penny.

And that money is yours to do whatever you want, including donating to charity if you choose.

 

[DoPo]

Sure, why not. Is what I picked. Yeah, it's stealing and yeah, it's lots of stealing (7+ billion thefts, or whatever, really) but I don't particularly care as I'm going to be rich.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Yeah, why not. Like you said, nobody will care about their missing penny and I become rich. Plus I'd like to think that I would do something good for the world with some of the money.

 

[WolfThomas]

I think I would have to donate a very large amount, say at least half, probably more (like 35million) before I felt semi-okay with it. To me stealing a penny from someone in a developed nation isn't that major but I'd feel like a huge dick for stealing from poor people who have next to nothing (penny being ever so proportionally more important).

 

[Nouw]

I wouldn't. Yeah many wouldn't care but there's also the billions that use that penny to pay the rent or get the bread on the table.

Maybe if I could somehow give back, via Charity, fast enough for it not to become a worry I would.

 

[Philol]

A penny from everyone? Yeah I'd do that, it's barley stealing, and as no one notice no ones hurt. And to make it better I'll donate about half to charities.

 

[tippy2k2]

Wow, I expected majority to be in the Yes but I didn't expect that it would be such a landslide...I suppose the thread is still young though, so maybe that will change.

Ultimately, stealing is stealing and stealing is wrong. Notice how many of these people saying Yes are saying they'd donate a ton to charity? Trying to ease a guilty conscience there...?

Besides, a penny isn't much to 1st world countries but I'm sure there are plenty of people in third world countries who would disagree with the "not notice" part.

 

[Goofguy]

I feel as though I could do some good with that money. However, I have no idea where I would donate or try to use the money for the best good.

It seems to me that I have an opportunity here to take one cent from poorer families and give them back two. Sure, the international distribution of wealth is not such that I would be able to provide such a perfect return to all the needy. However, I'd like to think that a lot of people (apart of me) could benefit from such a system.

 

[Mazza35]

Yeah I would, and like most people, Most of it would go toward good causes.
This makes me think, what if in a developed country, what if everyone gave a dollar, toward feeding poor kids in Africa?

 

[Gizmo]

I would do it... over and over till i didn't think I could get away with it anymore.. and I would spend it all on hookers and blow

You win sir.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Not from everyone in the world because in many parts of the world thats a significant amount of money. However, I'd definitely do it if it was from everyone in the US.

 

[omega 616]

I know you factored in the people without money but I don't think you factored in enough. Millions of people in Africa have no money, let alone the homeless people in the world etc say there 7 billion in the world, 5 billion have money ... at my guess anyway.

I would still do it, why not? Nobody would miss a penny, most people would give you a penny anyway! I bet you could walk around your town and ask every person you met to give you a penny, every person with money on them would.

It's a penny, you can't even buy a penny sweet with that! (not even joking)

 

[Rowan93]

Well, yeah, just as part of the general case for if I could steal tens of millions without getting caught, I would. I might stop to think if it was from the coffers of an orphanage or whatever, but in general hell yeah I'd steal money if I couldn't get caught doing it, I like money.

 

[him over there]

you heartless bastard, it would have to be more specific, like everyone in a developed country with financial security. Not everyone has a penny to give me you know.

 

[Clive Howlitzer]

Normally I am all "Stealing is stealing" but for such a pitifully small amount, it is worth it. Especially since the majority of that money would go towards good causes and making other people happy while only a small amount would go towards myself.
-EDIT-
I should add that I probably would only do it from those who have at least 100 dollars of equivalent currency. I don't want to be taking anyone's last penny.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Not from everyone in the world, but from everyone in relatively affluent countries sure. You'd still make around a million or two dollars. No one really got hurt.

 

[chuckman1]

I would do that....and spend some money on really poor nations...but mostly me, im selfish