Would you die trying?

Below are three scenarios. You can only say "yes" or "no". Explain briefly if you'd like.

1. You are walking along after school one day when you suddenly stumble across a fight. It appears that three member of a gang are beating up a student who is covering his face. You know the student because he is in your PE class, and you know he has Down’s Syndrome and lacks the physical coordination to defend himself. You know a bit of self defense and think you might be able to help the student out, but you also know you might face retribution from the gang at a later date. Do you help him or walk on by?

2. Your dad is having a mid-life crisis. Although you wish he could just buy a Harley, or dye his hair like other men in the same predicament, he won’t. He has suddenly decided that life has no meaning. He feels compelled to give his life meaning and decides that he will climb Mt. Everest. This is a very important goal for him and he wants you to go with him. If you go along and survive you will be the youngest American ever to climb the mountain, cnd will have the glory of having accomplished an amazing feat. However, you are also aware of the many deaths that occur each year in attempting to reach the summit. It is a task that can be risky even for the most seasoned climbers (which your dad is not). Do you go with your dad, or make him face the mountain alone?

3. You have fallen in love with an amazing person. You feel a connection you never thought possible. You know you’re young (high school), but you want to live the rest of your life together and know that you’d be happy. However, your parents—who you also love very much—have forbid you to see this person. They say that this person comes from a bad family and is not right for you. You don’t think you can live without this person. In a desperate attempt to separate you from your significant other, your dad takes a job transfer to Australia. You’ll be thousands of miles from your significant other and will never see that person again. Your significant other vows to commit suicide if you leave. You could stay in America and be with your significant other, but you know that would make life much more difficult for you. You would have to take on many new responsibilities in an effort to take care of yourself without the emotional and financial support of your family who has vowed to never speak to you again if you stay. Do you go with your family to Australia? Or do you disown your family to stay with this person you love?

Uhm... of course?

edited 18th Feb '11 6:49:25 PM by snowfoxofdeath

Uhhhh... are we supposed to answer from our own point of views? Because, I dont give a shit about what my parents think about anmything I do, and if my stepdad wants to go die on a mountain, he can.

Yes. In a heart beat. My mom would kill me if I chose family over a good woman.

1: Yes, most definitely. I actually do know self defense anyhow, and saving my own skin at the expense of a disabled kid would be horrible. Like, appalling.

I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I left. I figure I could seriously injure on by surprise, take out another by fighting dirty, and fend off the last. As for later retribution, that's a risk I'm willing to take.

2: I'm pretty damn crazy, challenge accepted. Besides, suicide is nasty.

3: Hells yeah I'm going to try. I have a crush as it is, and if such an extent were necessary, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

And besides, a little adventure makes life that much more worth living.

One - I have zero self defense skills, but I'd definitely still try to help. Even if it's just by calling the police.

Two - I would do my utmost to stop my father from going up a mountain. He would die. So would I if I decided to follow him.

Three - Move to Australia, hmm? I can see how that would be a problem for me But, if my family wanted to move to America... I don't think I'm capable of supporting myself, but if I could find a way I would stay.

1) Defending the student means I risk retribution from the Hoodies. Killing the Hoodies means I risk retribution from the Police who believe self-defence is the biggest crime ever.

Likewise the Police rarely prosecute Roman Catholic priests who rape people. Therefore, kill the Hoodies. Use a stick to rape the corpses. Leave rosary beads at the scene of the crime, Police will not follow up the case.

2) I want to stop Dad climbing very dangerous Everest. encourage him to go to Australia and he will be safe.

... Interesting view of Roman Catholic priests...

Regardless:

1. Call the police and then fight on behalf of the victim. At least until I'm overpowered and become a victim myself. Realistically, that would be the outcome. But I can't just walk away from an apparent innocent being harmed.

2. Dissuade father from going up the mountain. And refuse if he will not stop. It is his life he is potentially throwing away, in spite of how much I love him.

3. The lover has threatened to kill herself. First off, she needs some psychiatric help if she's that distraught. Second, dissuade parents with reason. If they will not accept, stay with girl. And hope there can be a reunion later down the line.

1. Very difficult to say for certain. If I actually possessed the abilities described in this premise, I would try to help. However, in real life I have no such skills, but at the same time I recognise that there could be legal consequences as a result of my inaction which might be problematic.

2. I can't even begin to imagine my father considering this, much less actually trying to do it, which makes it difficult to come up with an appropriate response. I like to think I'd go to support, but only if I can't talk him out of it (which I believe I almost certainly could). I don't know.

3. This one is easy. Somebody more appropriate will come along, and risking one's personal security for somebody you'll inevitably tire of in a couple of years strikes me as very foolhardy.

edited 18th Feb '11 6:28:37 PM by TheGloomer

"You know you’re young (high school), but you want to live the rest of your life together and know that you’d be happy."

Hilariously dumb statement is hilarious.

My brother is one of these types. I can already see the cracks.

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Depends.

Given the scenarios... the first "yes", the second "dissuade him" and the third "move away".

Sorry, but the third would require me to lose my mind in the next few years.

1. yes

2. he could easily be talked out of it by pointing out his current physical disabilities but I'm definitely interested in climbing Mount Everest.

3. I find everything about this too implausible to seriously consider.

I would like to remind everyone that you can only say "yes" or "no".

This, basically.

1. Yes.

2. No.

3. Yes. (I don't live in America.)

edited 18th Feb '11 7:00:21 PM by QQQQQ

1. Yes

2. No

3. No. The kind of person who uses suicide as an ultimatum for keeping you from leaving is the kind of person who will cause you to be in an unhealthy, if not dangerous, relationship.

Though I'd like to remind everyone that Life is infinitely more complex than answering yes or no to a bunch of pre-defined choices laid out. I could have, for one, buzzed the bullies with a high-pitched mosquito tone — in the ensuing stun, I sucker punch two or three of them and have them chase me to a 'safe' public place. Their animal rage gets them into trouble with the adults.

edited 18th Feb '11 7:12:06 PM by QQQQQ

But that's not the point of the question.

Would you risk your life in X situation for X reason?

Simple. The idea is to learn an answer about human morality and personal reasoning. You can add, I suppose, but not if what you add warps the original question.

A situation can be viewed very differently from one pair of eyes, to another. You may often notice details, nuances that would change your perspective and reasoning if you look very closer — think outside yourself. I'm not one for making yes/no choices based on what's straightforwardly there. Having only one choice is robotic. Two choices is a dilemma. Three or more is a choice.

edited 18th Feb '11 7:29:30 PM by QQQQQ

1. Kick the ganster's asses.

2. Try to do anything I can to stop him, and if all else fails, go with him, even if my 16 year old body might not be enough to fully protect against the cold.

3. AUSTRALIA? No way in hell, most dangerous place on Earth!! Plus, being as far away as possible from my mother would actually HELP me.

Not that I would be staying for the girl; I'd break it off and notify help for her.

edited 18th Feb '11 7:51:03 PM by cutewithoutthe

Yes, No, No. In the order of top to bottom on the questions.

Sure, I'd help. I love a good fight, and I hate gangbangers.

Good luck dad, but fuck no I'm not climbing mount everest.

No, foolish ass girl. We're in High School, we don't even know the meaning of love. If she's the type who would off herself rather than live without me.. Well, I don't want to be with someone that moronic.

edited 18th Feb '11 7:43:52 PM by Barkey

1) Even thought it goes against my policy of minding my own damn busniess, and my belief that people should deal with their own problems...yes.

If i chose to stand down or stand by I know I'd feel like shit later on. There's a possibility that they'll retaliate later on, but bullets are cheap.

2) Ignoring the fact that my dad actually could? Nope; I'd tell him to stop being an idiot and buy a Porsche.

3) Fuck that noise, teenage love is so ridiculous; she wants to off herself she can go right ahead.

I imagined you saying "foolish ass girl" while slapping a hoe, and I loled.

edited 18th Feb '11 7:53:14 PM by cutewithoutthe

^Didn't you know? Barkey is Dr. Doom.

-use Doctor Doom to take over the world by bitchslapping everyone ever-

(yes, even jesus)

Wait, so are you expecting a Mathematician's Answer here? If so, my answers are

1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes

edited 18th Feb '11 8:05:00 PM by storyyeller