Hypothetical Question...

[suncrafter]

Hypothetically speaking - lets say you have an opportunity to win $1,000,000 in a contest. To win - you must choose from one of the following five options:

"Punch" option ---- You will be punched in the face, just once, by a big fat man. The punch is guaranteed not to be fatal nor to cause brain damage, but you will likely sustain a nasty injury such as a split lip, black eye or perhaps even a broken nose. After being punched - you will be given the $1,000,000!

"Bomb" option ---- Nothing will happen to you. However, you will start the countdown on a huge bomb that is hidden deep inside the center of the Earth. The bomb is large enough that, when detonated, it will cause devastating earth quakes and floods all over the planet. The bomb is completely undetectable and can not be disarmed. However it will not detonate until exactly 5,000 years in the future. As soon as the countdown has started - you will be given the $1,000,000!

"Insults" option ---- Twenty people will shout terrible insults and obscenities at you for one full hour. These people will not come into physical contact with you nor harm you, but they will say all sorts of horrible and upsetting things to you. After one full hour of intense verbal abuse - you will be given the $1,000,000!

"Magic" option ---- Your personality and ethical convictions will be painlessly altered in some unknown way by a magic spell. The alteration will be instantaneous and will not affect your memory, cause brain damage nor result in any physical harm of any kind. After the alteration - you will be given the $1,000,000!

"Nothing" option ---- None of the above. Nothing happens to you or anyone else, but you will NOT be given any money.


Which option would you choose first? Second? Third? Etc...???

Please list them like so ... (with "1" listed as your first choice, "2" as your next choice, and so on...)

1 - option name
2 - option name
3 - option name
4 - option name
5 - option name

[mawande]

As you might expect, I'd go with the Insults first, the Punch only if I was desperate and Nothing is actually a good option to me.

[Chuckles]

1 - Insults
2 - Punch
3 - Bomb
4 - Nothing
5 - Magic

I put bomb as 3rd because I really don't give a shit about 5000 years from now... Magic is last because I'm too awesome to go around fucking with my personality. I'd rather be me than be given a million dollars.

[MNJetter]

1 Insults
2 Punch
3 Nothing
4 Magic
5 Bomb

I value my integrity and the lives of others (even future others) over a million dollars, but I value a million dollars over superficial insults or injury. 'Nuff said.

[ZaichikArky]

Uh, interesting discussion about morals. Anyway:

1. Insults
2.Punch
3.Nothing
4.Magic
5. Bomb.

Wow, I realized my list is identical to MNJ's.

The bomb one was too horrible. I'm too much of a humanist to wish that upon anyone. The insults wouldn't phase me so much. i have really tough skin when it comes to most insults. What would they say "omg you're a fat skank!" wow 0_o. I usually laugh when someone says something like that to me. I find it hilarious. I wish more of my friends IRL would do that to me. Only my best friend calls me "a big fat megabitch". For the second one, my million bucks would pay for plastic surgery to fix the nose, or whatever else could happen to my precious face. I don't want my personality altered at all, even in a good way. I like my personality a lot for the most part >_>... it took my whole life to be able to be overall self-confident and I would hate to be less confident and striving for better things : (.

[Mastiker]

1 Bombs - I don't know what Earth will be like 5000 years from now, but if I had to bet, I'd say it deserved it.
2 Insults - If you can't take that much abuse, you should pay people $1,000,000. Every day.
3 Punch - Same thing as above.
4 Magic - Change is fun. $1,000,000 and I get to be completely different? Bitchin'.
5 Nothing - I like money.

[Decade]

Insults

Seriously, if you know its just for an hour and the people might not actually mean it, then whats the big deal? Is this supposed to be some kind of personality test or test your values or something?

It's non physical, non-meaningful abuse that would only last an hour, you're aware it would only last an hour, and if you're not sure they actually mean it (or even if they DO), whats it matter? you deal with it just for an hour and then you can move on.

Im not even going to go with the list for the others. its insults for an hour, hands down

[Shuft]

1 insults
2 punch
3 bomb
4 magic
5 nothing

4 and 5 are pretty much interchangeable for me. I'd take the insults for as little as $45 any day though.

[Citizen]

1. Insults
2. Punch
3. Bomb
4. Nothing
5. Magic

I don't trust magic. With my luck, I'd give all the money away right after getting it because of the spell.

[knivesc]

1 Insults - /laughs@theInsults
2 Nothing - Nah.
3 Punch - My beautiful face is worth more than $1 Mil.
4 Magic - I like my personality :knockout:
5 Bomb - This one is obvious.

[Shuft]

...3 Punch - My beautiful face is worth more than $1 Mil...
pics or gtfo

[Roxie]

1. Punch -- It'll heal. And now I can afford the best medicine :)
2. Insults -- I'm kinda sensitive...but it wasn't specified if we can say things back to the ppl
3. Nothing
4. Magic -- Only if Dumbledore does it.
5. Bomb -- I won't take any life for cash.

[Mastiker]

5. Bomb -- I won't take any life for cash.

Even if it's comical or poetic justice?

[Roxie]

Nah. If I need poetic justice, well, there are things worse than death.

[Sohym]

1 - Punch - It'll heal.
2 - Magic - It's funny.
3 - Insults - Could be worse, I guess.
4 - Bomb - It's funny.
5 - Nothing - Oh well.

[Decade]

1. Punch -- It'll heal. And now I can afford the best medicine
You'd stay poor, cause i wouldnt let a bitch punch you.

:karate:

[belladonna]

1. bomb - the world will be long gone at that point anyway
2. insults - i'm used to it
3. magic - it might be fun to change
4. punch - it would hurt and i don't want to have plastic surgery
5. nothing - the money would be great

[MNJetter]

Wow, I realized my list is identical to MNJ's.
(^_^)

[h2orowe]

1. Bomb - lol.
2. Insults
3. Punch
4. Nothing
5. Magic - How would I know that they wouldn't transform me into someone who'd give them back their moniez?

[rl*united]

This doesn`t work for foreigners though. I`ll chose the twenty people shouting abuse and turn my brain off for 30 minutes or whatever. :P Just give me a couch and a Singapour Sling to go with it and I`m happy.

[b4k4ni04]

1- Insults. ... An hour?. by the 1st 10 minutes if they cant touch you it'll be white noise.
2- Punch. ... What're you going to do bleed on me? / I'M INVINCIBLE/ You're a looney. (Likely, a soccer ball has probably done worse to my face >>;.)
3- Nothing. ... ... keep reading >>;.
4- Bomb. ... I blame Eureka 7.
5- Magic. ... I blame Code Geass. >>.

[Exeter]

1 - Insults (sticks and stones, love)
2 - Punch (for a million bucks? you better believe it)
3 - Nothing (gasp!)
4 - Bomb (my conscience would get the better of me)
5 - Magic (I am my mind, man...there's very little in this world that's worth changing that, and certainly nothing that'll be around in 5000 years)

[Mastiker]

Eh, I just thought of something about the bomb one.

I'd put all the money in a secret bank account, right? In 4980 years, it would activate, giving my closest relative the amount inside, as well as a note describing what was going to happen in 20 years, and plans to evacuate the world in 20 years.

The other option is that they buy all the shit they want, save themselves, and live forever. I know I'd do it.

[Sakari]

Eh, I just thought of something about the bomb one.

I'd put all the money in a secret bank account, right? In 4980 years, it would activate, giving my closest relative the amount inside, as well as a note describing what was going to happen in 20 years, and plans to evacuate the world in 20 years.

The other option is that they buy all the shit they want, save themselves, and live forever. I know I'd do it.

Your relative might be oh, so pissed at you considering that the inflation at least will have made the contents worthless. I can imagine him swearing while he reads the note you excitedly wrote while observing the 10p which he has received in exchange for the world being blown to bits.

[japanat]

1. Punch -- It'll heal. And now I can afford the best medicine :)
2. Insults -- I'm kinda sensitive...but it wasn't specified if we can say things back to the ppl
3. Nothing
4. Magic -- Only if Dumbledore does it.
5. Bomb -- I won't take any life for cash.
I have the same order, with slightly different reasons.

1) punch - it's over
2) insults - I don't care what they say, but people screaming in my face for an hour would probably raise my stress to heart-attack levels
3) nothing
4) magic - what if that little thing made me an asshole and made my kids hate me?
5) bomb - not at any price. I can't be the cause of such death. Just knowing that it would happen would take all the joy out of having the money.

[Everdarke]

1. Bomb
2. Bomb
3. Bomb
4. Bomb
5. Bomb
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!

[japanat]

Hence the name...

[Candyvan Stan]

1 - Insults - I'm a rookie cop in Amsterdam-west. That's just daily routine.
2 - Punch - As a a fightsport fanatic, I get bruises like this all the time.
3 - Nothing - I'm happy with my life as it is, and don't really need the money. However, the former things just made it like free!
4 - Magic - I like who I am, I think. I'm pretty much already a blank slate and don't really know my own personality.
5 - Bomb - Never would I want such a thing.

[Plekto]

Shoot, easy money. My ex used to subject me to yelling like that for 2-3 hours every other day she was so loco.

A better question like this involves senses or limbs. Pick one sense to no longer have.

[Mastiker]

Pick one sense to no longer have.

I'll pick in order:

1. touch - I am Novocaine Man!
2. smell - I can finally get my dream job working at a poo factory.
3. hearing - No more bitching and nagging at me!
4. taste - It'll be funny eating the spiciest and most sour foods in the world without flinching.
5. sight - Maybe a movie will be made about me.

[Roxie]

You'd stay poor, cause i wouldnt let a bitch punch you.

:karate:
That's sweet :)

But you'd better have the money to back that shit up or I'm kicking your ass myself.

[Micah the Great]

1. ( )
2. ( )
3. ( )
4. ( )
5. ( )

[MNJetter]

Eh, I just thought of something about the bomb one.

I'd put all the money in a secret bank account, right? In 4980 years, it would activate, giving my closest relative the amount inside, as well as a note describing what was going to happen in 20 years, and plans to evacuate the world in 20 years.

The other option is that they buy all the shit they want, save themselves, and live forever. I know I'd do it.
^
Your relative might be oh, so pissed at you considering that the inflation at least will have made the contents worthless. I can imagine him swearing while he reads the note you excitedly wrote while observing the 10p which he has received in exchange for the world being blown to bits.
That is, of course, if they still use money in 4980 years. 4980 years ago, it was an unknown concept. I'd be willing to bet that, in terms of millenia in the future, it becomes just a passing fad from ancient times. .....Especially dollars, specifically. :P

[Fred]

1) Punch - If I didn't have a kid, I would be fighting in a ring anyways. Getting punched once in the face by a fat guy doesn't mean much.

2) Insults - I would just imagine that I am paying them to insult me and, really, a hour is a long time to maintain a stream of insults. They would quickly run out of material and just start barking like dogs.

3) Nothing

As for the other options - not for love or money

By the way, I anticipate being a millionaire in 5-10 years.

[Beowulf]

1) Punch - I've been punched dozens of times. This is #1 simply because it would take less time then insults.

2) Insults - This would be hilarious

3) Magic - If I never know the difference then why does it matter?

4) Nothing - Duh

5) Bomb - Duh, why is this even on the list?

[Chuckles]

It's on the list because some of us wouldn't really mind picking it ;)

[Mastiker]

Your relative might be oh, so pissed at you considering that the inflation at least will have made the contents worthless. I can imagine him swearing while he reads the note you excitedly wrote while observing the 10p which he has received in exchange for the world being blown to bits.

Shit, free money is free money. Plus, it ain't my problem. My guilt is clear. :3

That is, of course, if they still use money in 4980 years. 4980 years ago, it was an unknown concept. I'd be willing to bet that, in terms of millenia in the future, it becomes just a passing fad from ancient times. .....Especially dollars, specifically.

I'm sure that by then, all the money in the account will be transfered over to what currency is being used at that time. If not, it aint my problem. My guilt is clear.

[Citizen]

That is, of course, if they still use money in 4980 years. 4980 years ago, it was an unknown concept.

The concept of money has existed for about 100,000 years.

4. taste - It'll be funny eating the spiciest

Doesn't work on spicy. Spicy is less about taste and more about pain receptors (touch) and smell.

[MNJetter]

^
That depends on how you define "money." I was talking about minted bills and coins, or digital transactions, not barter or shells. That's commerce, but it's not cash.

Money in the sense I'm talking about (coinage) first showed up in Babylonia, about 4000 years ago. But even that date is controversial - most think it was later.

[Citizen]

Actually, things like shells, ochra, certain forms of barter and whatnot are still considered money. Or, at the very least, proto-money. Coins made out of precious metals showed up 2000-3000 years ago. More primative coins predate that. 4000+ years ago. Close enough to give the benefit of the doubt to the whole "4980 years ago" thing.

Besides, the point was never what was being used as money in the first place. You mentioned it as a concept, I mentioned it as a concept. And as a concept, it most certainly does predate 2973 BC.

[h2orowe]

Shoot, easy money. My ex used to subject me to yelling like that for 2-3 hours every other day she was so loco.

A better question like this involves senses or limbs. Pick one sense to no longer have.
1) Taste
2) Smell
3) Sight
4) Hearing
5) Touch - Without touch how the hell would you get around?

[Urameshi YuSooKey]

1) Taste
2) Smell
3) Sight
4) Hearing
5) Touch - Without touch how the hell would you get aroused?

*fixed

[Mastiker]

Doesn't work on spicy. Spicy is less about taste and more about pain receptors (touch) and smell.

Dang. There goes my plan :_(

[Roxie]

All your dreams are dead.

[Mastiker]

Not all of them.

...just the ones I wanted :_(

[Psychochink]

Oooh, I get to give the 'wrong' answers (at least according to popular morality).

1) Insults - I care so little for other people's opinions about me that I would probably start to doze off after I got used to the noise.

2) Bomb - We're talking 5,000 years in the future, here. Frankly, that means I expect the human race to have either wiped itself out (or become extinct by some other means), screwed up the planet enough that it doesn't matter, have easy ways of dealing with natural disasters by then, have started some kind of extraterrestrial habitats (intrasolar, at least), or a combination of the above. If we haven't, then we deserve a nasty wake-up call.

3) Punch - I don't want to waste a chunk of my money on possible reconstructive surgery. Plus, this one actually has an effect on me.

4) Nothing - If I have to...

5) Magic - If I'm not 'me' anymore, what's the point?

[marycatherine]

1 - Insults (I'm not offended easily)
2 - Punch (nothing $1m can't fix!)
3 - Bomb (5k years is a long time away)
4 - Magic (I guess I'm not terribly attached to my personality)
5 - Nothing (I guess I really want that million)

[Beowulf]

What is it with people just not taking the punch?

[marycatherine]

What is it with people just not taking the punch?

Being punched hurts physically and lasts for too long. Insults for feeling-less people like me...those only last as long as the insulter talks, which is an hour according to the first post.

[PiccoloNamek]

1: Punch (Over with nearly instantly, and I have a very high tolerance for pain.)
2: Magic (My current moral and ethical code hasn't done me one lick of good, perhaps I'd be better off as a Machiavellian.)
3. Bomb (Seriously, humanity probably won't even exist 5,000 years from now. I certainly won't.)
4. Insults (This would become very annoying and hurtful much more quickly than people realize.)
5. Nothing (I want the money, damn it.)