Putting in order my private library this evening (okay, I was dusting off my long neglected and decades-old collection of paperbacks) I happened across a particularly well-worn copy of The Book of Questions, by Gregory Stock.I frankly had not remembered this book, despite the split spine and loads of dog-eared pages. A quick browse through, though, jogged my memory as to why my seeming past obsession. This one without doubt certainly puts to task one's noggin. What would you do?
"You are leading 100 people whose lives are in danger and you must choose between two courses of action. One would save only 90 people; the other would have a 50 percent chance of saving everyone but were it to fail everyone would die. Which would you choose?"My brain hurts just mulling over such things. I think I'd personally rather slam a Slurpee. Anyway, then there's part deux:
"What if you had to choose the 10 people who would die? Would you rather have someone else in the group make the decision [Yes, please.] even though you might be picked to die?" [Ummm ... ]
How odd...
ReplyDeleteI found a copy of this book a few days ago at my public library's book sale. It was pristine, cost a quarter, and seemed like a fun thing for the ESL conversation class I teach, so I bought it. I'd never heard of it before. The class loved it. And now I come upon your blog and, well ...
Hi Anonymous - If only I had waited 20 years knowing I could have bought the book for a quarter, I could have saved $3.70 of the full price I paid way back when. I do think it's probably a great source of topics for discussion in a conversation class, I'm pretty sure it will be worth the two bits spent. Odd, yes that you just found the book and then happened upon it here, too. But I'm glad you did, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteYikes! I wouldn't want to make that choice. I would rather have someone else make it. It's hard enough trying to decide what pair of shoes to wear. What if it were a PMS day, I would probably choose more than 10. How about the most annoying of the bunch. The person who talks too much, the person that chews with their mouth open. The person who complains too much... Come to think of it I could make that choice.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad we rarely encounter that type of decision situation in real life. In my job I often have to make decisions about my employees concerning whether they get to keep their jobs, or when work is limited, who gets to work and who gets laid off. That is more than enough brain drain for me. Another decision I hate but have encountered way too many times is this: I discover for a fact that the spouse of a friend or relative is cheating - do I tell the injured spouse or not?
ReplyDelete"I discover for a fact that the spouse of a friend or relative is cheating - do I tell the injured spouse or not?"
ReplyDeleteRain had this question on her blog a month or so ago. Rain, if you remember the post, give Doug the link. It was interesting to read everyone's perspective.
I would choose this one: the other would have a 50 percent chance of saving everyone but were it to fail everyone would die. Which would you choose?"
And for the last question, I would have someone else decide.
Here's the link to the Question that little navigator was talking about.
ReplyDeletehttp://greatmindsthinklikemerainlillie.blogspot.com/2008/01/if-you-caught-your-friend-cheating-what_09.html
I've been in Doug's position too regarding making decisions about who stays. Sucks, because whatever decision you make you're ultimately playing director to the life course of the employee. Glad I've distanced myself from that responsibility. As far as this particular question, I pondered. I think I'd go with letting someone else make the decision, but would certainly make sure I didn't chew with my mouth open. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteMy next question of the day is going to be.. Does it annoy you when people don't respond to your e-mails? I'm not pointing fingers, but the guilty know who they are.
ReplyDeleterainlillie - has it been 28 days already? :-)
ReplyDeleteDoug R,
ReplyDeleteYou don't miss a thing, LMAO!! Smartass! I have to think of a better comeback.
"rainlillie - has it been 28 days already?"
ReplyDeleteokay, it took me a few days but now i get the above statement. it took me how many days to figure it out? sheesh.
so yeah doug, that is very funny.
little navigator,
ReplyDeleteYou should have asked, I would have told you. I guess it's more fun figuring it out on your own. Yes, our bf Doug is a very clever boy.
At first I thought it was an inside joke btwn the two of you. And then last night out of nowhere I got it.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird how the mind works. I didn't think I was thinking about it, but apparently I was.
I'm usually quicker than that.