History Main / WhatDoesThisButtonDo

A very bad way to [[TemptingFate tempt fate]]. The proper response to anyone who asks this question is, [[DontTouchItYouIdiot "Don't touch it, you idiot!"]] However, red buttons are usually a ChekhovsGun: even in the event that a curious character is prevented from pushing it, rest assured that you'll eventually find out what the button does.

Beware! DangerouslyGenreSavvy villains may leave [[BigRedButton these]] lying out in the open as SchmuckBait...

-->'''Tychus:''' Now how did I miss this button with a ''skull'' on it? * Launches nuke*

* In The Invincible Technomage (a fanfiction in which HarryPotter is adopted by [[IronMan Tony Stark]]) the Dursleys and Harry go to a Stark International factory. Dudley decides to apply this trope UpToEleven, and his father not only doesn't do a thing to stop his son, but [[TooDumbToLive prevents some people from stopping the kid]]. The result? The Dursleys die, other family that was there dies, a technician dies, and the only survivor is Harry thanks to his magical powers.

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-->-- 1980s DeadBabyComedy over the Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion [[hottip:* :Actually, it was "Uh oh.".]]

* When Batman and the Joker team up in ''BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', the Joker asks this about every button in the Batmobile. Finally, when Batman warns him to ''especially'' not push the big red button, the Joker does, getting sprayed with sleep gas as a consequence.

** Flash does it in ''JusticeLeague''... and blows a giant hole in the wall of Wayne Manor. Batman immediately rounds on him, saying "[[ThisIsSparta THAT'S. NOT. HELPING]]!"

--> What else does it do?
--> ''Don't touch that!!''
--> Why not? (presses the button anyway)

[[AC: TabletopGames]]
* Do you know how to operate an R&D vehicle in ''{{Paranoia}}''? Then you've just been terminated for having knowledge outside your security clearance. What's left? Trial and error; in other words, ''repeatedly'' asking WhatDoesThisButtonDo, then pressing it and hoping like hell it's not the self-destruct.
* This is a real rule for Orks in {{Warhammer 40000}}.

When it comes to curiosity, there are generally two main types. The first type is patient enough to wait for an explanation to be given, usually by an expert on a subject and/or its creator. Someone who can [[LaymansTerms break it down into a more simplified language]], to a point where it can be easily understood, what its benefits are, what dangers it may impose, and the like. The second, well...doesn't have that kind of patience. Or insight. Or anything resembling restraint. They're willing to [[WhatAnIdiot stumble blindly towards a control panel]] and [[TooDumbToLive start randomly pressing buttons]]. Usually they'll ask the all important question, "WhatDoesThisButtonDo?" just before doing so. Or just after doing so, if the work emphasizes them being unthinking rather than reckless.

* ''TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'': During their first off-planet adventure, the Turtles end up fleeing from some Triceratons in a flying car, with Mikey in the "sidecar".

* Pip from ''SequentialArt'' [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=343 does this by proxy]] before selling MadScientist equipment left by EvilMinions on [[FictionalCounterpart EBuy]]. As to how much this helps, see the next comic. [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=355 Later]] the same [[EverythingsNuttierWithSquirrels squirrel girl]] was prevented from this after ''looking once'' at a button.

* In ''TheFifthElement'' the BigBad gives a SwissArmyWeapon to some aliens in exchange for the {{MacGuffin}} he seeks. When it turns out it wasn't what he was seeking, the aliens discover a BigRedButton on the gun whose purpose he didn't explain. That was his insurance in case he got ripped off. The aliens press it of course, which causes the gun to self-destruct, killing them all.

* In ''TheFifthElement'' the BigBad gives a SwissArmyWeapon to some aliens in exchange for the {{MacGuffin}} he seeks. When it turns out it wasn't what he was seeking, the aliens discover a red button on the gun whose purpose he didn't explain. That was his insurance in case he got ripped off. The aliens press it of course, which causes the gun to self-destruct, killing them all.

** In the New Series, when Tennant is first introduced, he parodies this Trope when he finds a big red button whilst exploring his new personality and dubs it "The Big Red Button Which Should Never Be Pressed Under Any Circumstances" and presses it, resulting in [[spoiler:the freedom, as opposed to the deaths, of one-third of the humans on Earth.]]

* [[http://www.vexxarr.com/archive.php?seldate=122109 An example]] from {{Vexxarr}}

* Pip from ''SequentialArt'' [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=343 does this by proxy]] before selling MadScientist equipment left by EvilMinions on [[FictionalCounterpart EBuy]]. As to how much this helps, see the next comic.

-->-- 1980s DeadBabyComedy over the Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion [[hottip:* : Actually, it was "Uh oh.".]]

-->'''Jyrras''': The red flashy one? It disables the system so no one can push any of the real buttons.