You get one billion dollars, but 10,000 people's lives are destroyed. Take the deal?

[justoh]

Why are you bringing the real world into this at all? The OP set the terms of his hypothetical universe when he posted it, and we are supposed to answer within those terms. If the OP says we will get away scotfree with no harm to our reputation, then that is a given, non-negotiable. Just like he said we'd ruin 10,000 lives by taking the money, you can't say that's too many lives to realistically ruin, it'd be more like 1,000 (or say it's too few, whatever). Saying you'd get caught in the real world is like saying Luke Skywalker could never hit the exhaust port of the Death Star because the Force isn't real. You have to work within the boundaries of the universe the OP set up for his question.

Hehe. I'm surprised he didn't go to this thread, http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2387723, and post "HA! stupid op. you can't have relationships with these people."

 

[02ranger]

Hehe. I'm surprised he didn't go to this thread, http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2387723, and post "guys, you can't have relationships with fictional characters."

You might have just given him the idea, I think we should watch for him over there. lol

BTW, yes, I would take the money. I hate to ruin people's lives, but if I don't take the money somebody else will and they'll use it for selfish reasons. At least I know I will give some to charity and try to help people. (This is my rationalization for taking it, honestly it would just be hard to turn down $1,000,000,000. Just look at all those pretty, pretty zeroes...... )

 

[Destiny]

Even if you honestly and ethically make $1 Billion Dollars - all that money has to be shifted from or come from other people's pockets... most likely 10,000 people... whom's lives may be ruined because in average they blew $100,000 each instead of investing...

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Depends on the people in question, and whether there's any way for me to find out who they are if I don't already know when making the choice.

Can always give money back to the nice, social people. Destroying the lives of people I don't like I'd do for free if I could, so the money is a nice bonus for that.

 

[_Rick_]

I wonder to what degree we do this every day, over much more paltry sums.
How many "oh, x is cheaper than y, so that's what I'll buy" decisions end up destroying a large number of people's lives?

A Billion to me just seems like excess, so I wouldn't do it, especially if crime gets involved, but over a few dollars per month of perceived frugality, it suddenly becomes a more relevant issue.
Maybe it's because we socialize the guilt, while if I were to have a Billion dollars to represent that guilt, and have to carry it alone, it would be much more obvious, that I am responsible for the suffering.

 

[TXHokie]

Depend on the specifics of the "crime". If it's outright stealing then no. But if it's just business dealings then I'll consider it. Some thinks it a crime for businesses to outsource IT and manufacturing over last couple decades, or the questionable lending practice that caused the collapse of housing etc. Billions were made and thousands of lives ruined. My rationale is that the victims are driven by greed as well. If you gave me your life saving because I'm guaranteeing 30% annual return risk free or invest in my unicorn farm that can pee cancer curing drugs, I'm not sure it's all my fault. It's all relative,

 

[dabuddha]

I picked 2 until I saw #3. So #3 for me.

 

[ultimatebob]

But, seriously though, how do I know that something isn't going to happen to my family if I take this deal? I'm still thinking that this is going to end up like "The Box" episode of The Twilight Zone, where someone in my family is going to suffer when the next person in line takes the deal.

 

[SunnyD]

Interesting. One billion to ruin 10,000 lives.

The first question that immediately came to mind was "Do I have any control over which 10,000? I wouldn't want to ruin the lives of any of my friends or family..."

Then I stopped for a moment and thought of the ridiculousness of that question. One billion dollars. Of-fucking-course I have control over which 10,000. Knowing my immediate circumstances, and my family and friends' circumstances, my gain and therefore their gain would outweigh any potential losses they might incur. So arguably none of them would be in that 10,000, or if they would I would immediately be in a position to repay them for taking one for the team so to speak.

In fact, I would have the potential to select each and every one of those 10,000 individuals by hand. How's that as food for thought. I could even be a modern day Robin Hood if I wanted to.

Then there's a bunch of other soft variables in the equation, but those are all well within my control as well. There's no need to spell them out except one thing, potential risk to myself. But this hypothetical assumes that there's likely no real risk to me.

This would become a really simple decision on my part, assuming I knew the outcome meant I would get off scott free for life. Yes. In a heartbeat.

 

[billclutterman]

I'll bet that someone who will take 1bil and ruin 10,000 lives, would take it and ruin 100,000 lives too.

 

[02ranger]

I'll bet that someone who will take 1bil and ruin 10,000 lives, would take it and ruin 100,000 lives too.

Sure, why not? 1,000,000,000 is still 4 more zeroes than 100,000.......

 

[skimple]

Most of them will either take to crime, become homeless or even commit suicide, but you walk free with a tax free billion in an offshore account. Remember its all or nothing.

Take to crime or commit suicide?

You are associating loss of financial solvency with mental defect or lawless behavior? Many hundreds of thousands (millions?) of people lose their job every year, but they don't eat a bullet or knock over a liquor store.

 

[dank69]

I'd do it if all the lives in my ignore list are utterly fucked!

ATOT is srs business

 

[Attic]

Love the question, mainly because we see it played out in real life with what are likely similar rationalizations found in this thread. It's the choice that says the most about you, not the rationalizations.

I chose no, but reserve the right to change my mind in the future if/when I find out I'm wrong about everything.

 

[maddogchen]

I'm Dick Cheney and I approve this because I've personally done it! We are talking destroyed as in killed right? Go America, fvck yeah!!!!

 

[Bateluer]

Most of them will either take to crime, become homeless or even commit suicide, but you walk free with a tax free billion in an offshore account. Remember its all or nothing.

In the majority of these 10K people are going to take to crime, become homeless, or commit suicide, then I'd probably take the cash. Doesn't seem like there were many worthwhile if they're utterly unable to pick themselves up after a setback.

 

[acheron]

Shit, I'd do it twice.

 

[Rakehellion]

Can I take $10,000 to destroy a billion people's lives?

 

[Greenman]

Just looked at the poll results. There is no hope for America.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Just looked at the poll results. There is no hope for America.

When did you think there was? If you hadn't noticed the downward spiral by now, I'm amazed that any one event or poll would make you see the light.

 

[ViviTheMage]

as long as by ruin 10,000 peoples lives is that you only take a few pennies from them daily or something minuscule. If we are saying we'll be taking 1 million from each person, then I would not do that knowingly.

 

[Red Storm]

No, I wouldn't. A good number of people would do it without question though, which is sad (and how it is in real life).

 

[BurnItDwn]

Yes.
I would try to say no
But I would fail. Billion dollars is too much temptation.

 

[IronWing]

If I say I voted "no" can I spend the rest of the day in a state of smug moral superiority even though I've done nothing, nothing at all?

 

[MtnMan]

Obama did it for a whole lot less money, and clearly he doesn't give a damn.