kaaatie: (SGA: McKay - Thoughtful)
kaaatie ([personal profile] kaaatie) wrote2008-05-28 12:35 pm
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Because deep thinking is good for the mind!

I have a hypothetical question related to a conversation that I've been having...

Let's presume that there's a group of prisoners (let's say 10 of them). An executioner puts them all in a position where each individual has a 50% chance of surviving (and a 50% chance of dying). There's no chance of escape, and no chance of rescue. However, if one of the prisoners volunteers to take the 50% chance of dying, then the other prisoners are all guaranteed to survive. The question is: do you think one of them would volunteer? Do you think the size of the group would influence the outcome?

Now, a different example.

A group of people are working in an office, and someone comes in and offers them all a chance to be given a new car (a corvette). Each individual has a 50% chance of getting a new car. However, if one person agrees to take the 50% chance at the car, then everyone else is guaranteed to get a new car. Do you think someone would volunteer? Do you think people would be more or less likely to volunteer in this example versus the other example?

I think this seems like the perfect opportunity for a poll:

[Poll #1194893]

[identity profile] garneteve.livejournal.com 2008-05-28 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
Think about this, and the way that I was bought up, I would consider volunteering in the prison scenario *only* because it would let the others survive. If say that the people were hardened criminals, I would not. If they were hostages, I may.
ext_19751: Due South: Fraser - white background (Default)

[identity profile] kaaatie.livejournal.com 2008-05-31 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, that logic makes sense. Thanks for answering! :)