Prejudices

[RedAnarchist]

There has been a plane crash onto a desert island. There is no food, and the water is salty and toxic due to a-bomb tests by the the Americans in the 1950's. You have one week to save them, but you can only choose 10. Who would people choose out of the following?

1. A baby with severe disabilities
2. A newly-qualified doctor
3. A 14 year old girl
4. A Communist man in his thirties
5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170.
8. A world-famous actor
9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup
10. A school teacher
11. A woman pregnant with triplets.
12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer
14. A three year old boy
15. A television presenter


Give your reasons for saving the chosen 10.

[redstar2000]

2. A newly-qualified doctor
3. A 14 year old girl
4. A Communist man in his thirties
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170.
11. A woman pregnant with triplets.
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer
14. A three year old boy

I'm assuming that the woman carrying triplets counts as four. If you just count her as one person, then add...

5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunteering
10. A school teacher

I'm also assuming that you have a plentiful supply of fresh water...otherwise none of these people is going to last a week.

The reasons for the selections are mostly negative...

1. A baby with severe disabilities -- will die anyway.

8. A world-famous actor -- probably a moron.

9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup -- likewise.

12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse -- likewise.

15. A television presenter -- and definitely a moron.

:redstar2000:

The Redstar2000 Papers (http://www.redstar2000papers.vze.com)
A site about communist ideas

[cubist]

2. A newly-qualified doctor,
3. A 14 year old girl
4. A Communist man in his thirties

6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring

9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup
10. A school teacher
11. A woman pregnant with triplets.
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer
14. A three year old boy


the reasons i left the others are just becuase, i don't like picking who would live or die but thats the way it has to be

[seen_che]

Not my plays 2 say

[Al Creed]

2. A newly-qualified doctor (He's got ALOT of potential)
3. A 14 year old girl (Assuming she's in peak physical and mental shape, she has a whole life ahead of her)
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring (Seems like a nice guy...the world needs more of those)
10. A school teacher (the world needs more educators)
11. A woman pregnant with triplets. (Read the explination for the 14 yeard old, for the Triplets)
14. A three year old boy (ditto)
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer (Definately needed)
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170. (even though I dont believe in "IQ's," She too, has potential)
4. A Communist man in his thirties (seems like a good guy ;) )
I need one more...

ah heck, 5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children (No need for those kids being traumatized over dead Grandma)

[Urban Rubble]

1. A baby with severe disabilities-He'd be gone. he's going to die anyways, and if he doesn't he'll just be a burden.
2. A newly-qualified doctor-He stays, he's got skills.
3. A 14 year old girl -She stays, she is young and able bodied for working. Plus, hopefully she would have sex with me.
4. A Communist man in his thirties-Able bodied, he stays.
5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children-Goodbye grandma, you have nothing to offer.
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring-He stays, but not because of his charity, because he is able bodied.
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170.-I don't see why it matters is she's a lesbian, but she stays.
8. A world-famous actor-Goodbye, you contribute nothing but a body for work.
9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup-He'd stay, he's probably physically strong.
10. A school teacher-She stays, she has a skill.
11. A woman pregnant with triplets.-Goodbye, you'd just be a burden.
12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse-She has a skill, being a Nazi isn't enough to make me waste that.
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer-He stays.
14. A three year old boy-Goodbye, you don't have anyhing to offer.
15. A television presenter-Another able body, you stay.

[Kez]

1. A baby with severe disabilities- Hes a life, so no reason to kill him off
2. A newly-qualified doctor-Needed for group survival
3. A 14 year old girl - Being a female in long run might be neccesary
4. A Communist man in his thirties-Able and neccesary for democracy
5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children-Nothing to offer, gonna die soon anyway
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring- Nothing to offer on the island
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170.-Good for logical solutions on this island
8. A world-famous actor-Nothing to Offer
9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup-Nothing to offer
10. A school teacher-She stays, she has a skill.
11. A woman pregnant with triplets.-
12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse- Explain shes wrong, getting rid of nazi element
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer-He stays.
14. A three year old boy-Nothing to Offer
15. A television presenter-Nothing to Offer

[toastedmonkey]

You cant put a value on these peoples lifes, they are equal so they all have the same value.

If you have to take 10 youd have to do it at random

[revoevo]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26 2004, 10:25 PM
You cant put a value on these peoples lifes, they are equal so they all have the same value.

If you have to take 10 youd have to do it at random
Agreed, I could not choose any one over the other. While I would seriously disagree with the Neo-Nazi's views, she would still be a human.

I'm a bit confused though, are these people to save by rescuing from the island by taking them off of it, or people you allow to stay on the island that would help the others survive? Different criteria for choosing the most worthy for life (all) verses the most able to contribute to living on the island (more select, able-bodied, skilled, etc.). I'm assuming it's scenario one because that's how it seems to be phrased.

You can say the actor, television presenter, and football star are not worthy, but why? They could be honest, good people. Not to mention it shouldn't matter, a human life is a life. They have just as much to offer as the Communist man, well, except for that ideology.

I guess I understand there could possibly be a situation in which you would have to pick 10 to save. I'm not sure why, why they all couldn't be rescued, but I suppose it's always possible. Still, I'm not going to single any out because they all deserve life.


Heh... interesting redstar considers the woman pregnant with triplets to be four people considering his views on abortion... :huh:

[redstar2000]

Heh... interesting redstar considers the woman pregnant with triplets to be four people considering his views on abortion.

Well, actually I was wondering if the author of the scenario considered those triplets to be included in one's choice of ten or not.

Did you ever wonder where these artificial scenarios come from? Or what their purpose is?

I was thinking about this and an idea occurred to me. I wonder if it is not possible that one or several evolutionary psychologists came up with the idea for this kind of scenario.

Our answers are suppose to "prove" that we will save "certain people" at the expense of others...and the ones we choose to save will be those most likely to "perpetuate our own genes".

Why? Because our ancestors who made similar choices were more likely to survive and reproduce...resulting in the ultimate existence of us.

Thus we are supposed to select some mixture of "fit" adults to insure our continued survival as well as fertile members of the opposite sex to mate with.

If the "test" is sufficiently clever, then it turns out that nearly every answer "supports" the paradigm of evolutionary psychology.

Consider that woman who is pregnant with triplets? If you (male) choose to save her, it's "because" she has proven to be fertile...and can have your babies after she's delivered those triplets.

But if you choose not to save her, it's "because" you know that in primitive conditions neither she nor her babies will survive birth -- thus it's better to save someone else...who can either help you survive or have your babies.

If you (male) thought you were picking that Lesbian with an IQ of 170 for her intelligence, guess again. You can impregnate her against her will...that's the "real reason" you saved her.

If you decided to save that 3-year-old boy, that's "because" we are "programmed" by evolution to save kids. But if you dumped him, it's "because" he's not your kid.

If you (again, male) fed grandma to the sharks, it's "because" she's no longer fertile. But if you decided to save her, it's because you think that she will take good care of small children...your children.

When looked at in this way, you may understand why I regard evolutionary psychology as junk science...it's "tests" are rigged in such a way that it's central hypothesis is always "supported".

Accordingly, should I ever find myself in such a scenario, I will first inquire if anyone present is an evolutionary psychologist. Should any be present, I will kill and eat them first. :lol:

:redstar2000:

The Redstar2000 Papers (http://www.redstar2000papers.vze.com)
A site about communist ideas

[dark fairy]

:) :rolleyes: 1.no, sorry but you're a goner
2. he'd be useful
3.bye
4.he'd be useful
5.bye grandma'
6.he'd be useful
7.she's cool she can stay
8.bye you bourgoise basterd
9.bye, don't want to find a reason for him to stay... i could
10.teacher we need those
11.yes, it's like saving 4 people at once
12.yes, she can help
13.better live!!!
14.the kid stays
15.no i don't like reporters too much so let him die...
i feel really bad for doing this because it could be real people if i could i would save them all but i've made my choice :unsure:

[God of Imperia]

1. Got to go, isn't usefull ...
2. Very usefull, a docter is always needed
3. Young, woman, can learn usefull things ...
4. Has the perfect chance to try the communist idea
5. To old ...
6. Can be usefull, can work and doens't complain a lot
7. She smart so she's usefull and even lesbians want sons or daughters
8. Has no reason to stay
9. He is a sportsman so he should have a good condition, you'll need someone to do the heavy work
10. She can teach valueable information to others
11. A triplet is usefull for the future, the more the better
12. She got a skill, but she got to go, I don't think Neo-Nazi's think straight
13. The more doctors the better and a cure could also be usefull if needed
14. The boy is also good for the future of the group
15. Has no reason to stay

[Akasha]

1. A baby with severe disabilities - We would not have the medical supplies to care for him.
2. A newly-qualified doctor- Yes, obviously
3. A 14 year old girl - Can breed
4. A Communist man in his thirties - Yes, can be President
5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children - Sorry Grandma but no.
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring - I'm always suspicious of do-gooders so no.
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170. - No, we need breeders. Sorry :( That was the toughest cut.
8. A world-famous actor - No, unless it was Benecio Del Toro, in that case I would give up the football player.
9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup - Yes, breeding purposes and he could lift stuff.
10. A school teacher - Yes, she can be the Minister of Education.
11. A woman pregnant with triplets. - Yes, obvious breeding purposes.
12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse - Yes, someone to debate with (lets face it if we all had the exact same beliefs life would be boring) and if things got all "Alive" on us we could kill her and eat her first and not feel bad.
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer - Yes, obviously smart.
14. A three year old boy- Yes, can breed with triplets (when they're older of course)
15. A television presenter - Yes, because I need a tenth.

Yes every life is valuable (blah blah blah) but there are times when the greater good prevails. And let's face it...we would all want to save our own lives.

[mia wallace]

1. A baby with severe disabilities - YES (it's only a child)

2. A newly-qualified doctor - NO (i had to pick up the fifth peson, no reason)

3. A 14 year old girl - YES

4. A Communist man in his thirties - of course, YES

5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children - NO (too old)

6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring - YES

7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170. - YES (seems smart to me...)

8. A world-famous actor - NO

9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup - NO

10. A school teacher

11. A woman pregnant with triplets. - YES (cause of the kids)

12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse - YES (she is a mother of two children)

13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer - YES (no explenation needed)

14. A three year old boy - YES (young)

15. A television presenter - NO

[Don't Change Your Name]

This kind of social darwinism in practice tests have been posted a couple of times before, but as I'm really bored today I'm going to reply. Please note that I assume that one "plays god" on that situation, picking those that can survive on the island, and might be rescued soon...or won't they??

Anyway: bye = he/she doesn't make it, yes = he/she stays

1. A baby with severe disabilities

No real reason to keep him alive. I suppose the group wouldnt have the things he need, and if the rescuing never comes he won't survive. It hurts me to do this but I have no other choice. Bye

2. A newly-qualified doctor

He will be needed. He only lacks experience but he will probably get it. Yes

3. A 14 year old girl

Future mother. Still pretty young. Yes

4. A Communist man in his thirties

If he's not a leninist Yes

5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children

Excepting for some experience, she doesnt have anything to offer. Bye

6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring

He will be helpful. He will volunteer to do many tasks. Yes

7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170.

Will be useful. The IQ isn't very important but it will come handy. Plus I don't think she will mind to give away 5-10 minutes of her homosexuality to breed. Yes

8. A world-famous actor

Nope. Bye

9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup

Sorry Ronaldo, you get injured too frequently. Bye

10. A school teacher

Knows how to explain things to the future generations. Helpful. Yes

11. A woman pregnant with triplets.

Future mother, and can help with many different things. Yes

12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse

Since the kid with dissabilities is "gone" she won't be very necessary. Plus she would refuse to help those from other races. Bye

13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer

He will be needed a lot. He also knows a lot of things Yes

14. A three year old boy

Can learn to do many things and will help some day. Yes

15. A television presenter

Useless and possibly an idiot. Bye

[apathy maybe]

Lets change this slightly.

There has been a plane crash onto a desert island. There is little food, that taken off the plane, and there is fresh and drinkable water. You will be rescued in a week, however, there is only enough food and water for 10 people for that week. You can only choose 10 to feed (on starvation rations). Who would people choose out of the following?
(note: you will be rescued and taken back to society and be forced to explain your decisions in front of capitalist media and authorities.

1. Your baby with severe disabilities (only 7 months old, you are on your way to get a cure (perhapes))
2. A newly-qualified doctor (female)
3. A 14 year old girl (who loves 'pop culture' and the actor and footballer)
4. A Communist man in his thirties (who has a number of medical problems, none major or life threatening in our society, and is an 'anti-green' to boot).
5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children (and rich person who wastes jet fuel wandering from casino to casino).
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring (same as no-4 (except is a Green))
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170 and
8. A world-famous actor (lets say an old one, umm whats his name? Shawn Conery (sp?) (played Bond)
9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup (great physical shape, male, above average IQ (about 110))
10. An early childhood school teacher (female)
11. A woman pregnant with triplets (who is likely to die in childbirth, triplets may also die, but not due for a few months)
12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse (children are 23 and 28)
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer (and I'm very close to inventing a FTL drive)(male)
14. A three year old boy (the son of whoever is in power in the country which you are going to)
15. A television presenter (female, high IQ, great physical shape, maths degree (think Trillian (or Trica(sp?)) in Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy))


Give your reasons for saving the chosen 10.

[apathy maybe]

A lot of the reasons assume that you won't get rescued or even that you are the last people left alive (must breed, must breed). And in the original most people would probably die anyway before they did get rescued. Try either the original and assume that you will get rescued (into the current society) or my modified version. And imagine that you have to explain to the media why you rescued these people and not others. (hopefully she would have sex with me).

[revoevo]

Yes every life is valuable (blah blah blah) but there are times when the greater good prevails. And let's face it...we would all want to save our own lives.

The greater good? Like your fictitious cannibalism of the Neo-Nazi? :P

What did you mean by "the greater good"?

And of course we would want to save our own lives, but what's that got to do with anything?

[conduit_138]

I'd take the following:

1. A baby with severe disabilities
14. A three year old boy
3. A 14 year old girl
11. A woman pregnant with triplets.
5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children
12. A Neo-Nazi who is a mother of two and a nurse
13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer

The others would have to draw straws for the three remaining spots:

2. A newly-qualified doctor
4. A Communist man in his thirties
6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and volunterring
7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170.
8. A world-famous actor
9. The scorer of the winner in the football world cup
10. A school teacher
15. A television presenter


The rationale:

I'd try to save the vulnerable. The cancer-curing doctor is the only one that doesn't quite fit into that category, yet since his discovery may save millions, he'd be allowed to jump on board without drawing straws.

The remaining people are smart & healthy, and with a bit of luck, they'd survive.. whereas the others would not.

[Intifada]

i wouldn't save any of them...nah i'm kidding.

my choices are:

13. A doctor who is very close to curing cancer
--- because a cure for cancer will save many lives in the future.

6. A man who devotes all his time to helping charities and voluntering
--- because he will be of great help to me, plus he doesn't seem selfish.

7. A lesbian with an IQ of 170.
--- the fact that she is a lesbian doesn't matter. she is clever.

10. A school teacher
--- we need teachers. they really aren't as bad as they seem :D

14. A three year old boy
--- you can't just leave the poor boy to die. it would be too hard to do.

1. A baby with severe disabilities
--- i feel sorry for the kid.

11. A woman pregnant with triplets.
--- children are important.

4. A Communist man in his thirties
--- communist minds are important. :D

5. An elderly lady - who is a grandmother of seven little children
--- elderly people are wise and have a lot of experience.

3. A 14 year old girl
--- like i said before children are important.

[truthaddict11]

1. No going to die anyways
2. Yes medical attention may be needed
3. Yes Has potential
4. Yes as long as he is not a lenninst
5. Sorry kids grandma is gone
6. yes seems well bodied
7. Yes, smart people needed
8. No, his skills arent needed
9. Yes he is fit and able
10. yes
11. may be a burden but yes
12. do not pass go do not collect $200
13 No, I am sure his partners will continue his research and one doctor is enough
14. Yes
15. No skills whatsoever.