Suikoden Utopian and Irrational Knowledge Orgazmic Xperience

Suikox Home | The Speculation Shelter | Tablet of Stars | Suikoden Timeline | Suikoden Geography |Legacies


  [ View Profile | Edit Profile | Nation System | Members | Groups | Search | Register | Check PMs | Log in | FAQ ]

Ethical Question
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic     Forum Index -> Educational
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Maximillian

Dead Soggy Old Dudes


Joined: 19 May 2004
Post Count: 520
Location: Malinsulo
137813 Potch
13000 Soldiers
100 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 9:03 pm    Post subject: Ethical Question Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Okay, I've got a hypothetical situation for you. Imagine if you will, that some allpowerful diety, genie, wizard, magic elf, or Steve Buscemi made you responsible for the lives of all Small Ethiopian Children. If you abstain from watching TV, going to movies, playing video games, or using the computer then all Small Ethiopian Children will live happily ever after, never being sick or hungry or sad or anything. But if you ever turn on a TV, watch a movie, play a video game, or use a computer then 1/2 of all the Small Ethiopian Children will die horrible and painful deaths.

How long would you go without TV/Movies/Computers/Video games?

Imagine that Overpopulation wasn't an issue and that nobody but you would ever be able to know about this deal (So no, you couldn't threaten the Ethiopians until they made you king).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ubertronmanguy

The Hundred Acre Wood Soldier Guys


Joined: 20 May 2004
Post Count: 165
Location: Jowston
0 Potch
0 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 9:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

I would go without those forever if could actually help someone i would move into a cave seal the entrance and slowly convince myself that never was any means of entertainment in the world beside reading books. Hell if I had to kill myself to save ten childeren i would do it.
_________________
Winne the Pooh>YOU
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Leb

Pizza Toppings


Joined: 16 May 2004
Post Count: 4233
Location: Razril
497133 Potch
936 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Sorry, kids, but look at it this way-- it'll be over reeeaaal quick. I'd give myself a few months before I cave in and just turn on my computer (I feel out of the loop when I don't have access to the internet).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address MSN Messenger
Excalibur1027

The Dark Ones Own Luck


Joined: 19 May 2004
Post Count: 465
Location: The Queendom of Falena
0 Potch
0 Soldiers
15000 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

It's hard to say really how long I could last without all of that entertainment. I'd just convince myself that it would be for the greater good and with the time I'd reading books, draw, etc.

But in all honesty, as much as I would like to hold out, I have a feeling that I would eventually give in. Unless of course I was secluded from the stuff for twenty-thirty years or something, THEN maybe I would have lost interest in all of the stuff as long as I had a fantastic and exciting job, a devoted and loving wife, and amazingly understanding friends. Then maybe I would be able to do it.

...but with me, what are the chances of all those things happenig? :roll:
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Seakida




Joined: 19 May 2004
Post Count: 191
Location: City State of Jowston
0 Potch
0 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Ah to save the lives of many, I would commit suicide so that I couldn't turn on a T.V or anything and thus, everyone lives happily ever after. Don't come near me I have a pointy thingy. lol :twisted: :lol: :shock:
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address MSN Messenger
Saben

The High Order of Order


Joined: 28 Mar 2004
Post Count: 601
Location: The Holy Kingdom of Harmonia
11153 Potch
0 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

They are Ethiopian children? So within a year or two half them will probably be dead anyway? Difficult situation. Give me a ticket to live with the Small Ethiopian Children and I'd be able to do it, even if I had the means in Ethiopia for watching TV, I would be able to directly see the results and rewards associated with my sacrifice. If I remained within a developed nation like Japan or Australia (the two countries I have actually lived in) then it would be very hard to see what effect my sacrifice was having, it would not be a reality to me and it would not be long before my will power broke, I think.

If I had a TV that showed the Small Ethiopian Children whenever I turned it on, but killed half of them if I switched the channel it would be accomplishable as well. Imagine changing the channel off the SECs (Small Ethiopian Childrens) to watch the last 5 minutes of a sports game, only to change the channel back and see half of the SECs dead on the ground and the living half mourning over the loss of their friends and families.

So basically, yes, I could do it, but not in my current life situation. If I had a boyfriend/ husband, lived in a house with no TV, computer, etc or was able to directly see the results of my actions then I could do it for sure, but how things are right now? It'd be hard (especially since my best friends and socialising mainly takes place online) and I would be hard pressed to last two weeks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Vextor




Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Post Count: 12081
Location: Hell
11324811 Potch
23689 Soldiers
160 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

No brainer, I will live my life as I want. Too bad for the kids.

Life is a struggle against each other, and the moment your life depends on the mercy of others, you have lost your freedom. Will I choose the life of being hooked onto a hypothalamus stimlator so I will get a perpetual dose of dopamine, ensuring eternal happiness? Hell no! A life that consists only of happiness is a sad life indeed. I expect everyone else to endure hardship--no one should have an easy life, let alone by my mercy.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Maximillian

Dead Soggy Old Dudes


Joined: 19 May 2004
Post Count: 520
Location: Malinsulo
137813 Potch
13000 Soldiers
100 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Saben wrote:
Give me a ticket to live with the Small Ethiopian Children and I'd be able to do it, even if I had the means in Ethiopia for watching TV, I would be able to directly see the results and rewards associated with my sacrifice.


No, that is cheating. The point of this excercise is that these people are halfway across the world and you will most likely never meet them, yet you are supposed to value their lives more than your own entertainment.

Most people would give up anything for the people around them. If it was to save your own family's life it wouldn't be a difficult choice at all, but making a huge sacrifice for a nameless and faceless stranger who you will never know is much harder.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Marshmallow

Shikigami


Joined: 19 May 2004
Post Count: 1085
Location: Saintler Port
203358 Potch
110 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

I just doubt I would be able to. As self-righteous as this may sound, I would probably be more of a boon to those around me than the SEC's would be to people around them. Also, most will die of malnutrition/undernutrition/ AIDS/ Malaria/ Infection/ Diarrheal diseases before reaching adulthood anyway. These kids just don't have much going for them. While I, as long as I have at least SOME leisure time, am able to study and devote the rest of my time to becoming as helpful to my family as I can possibly be.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address
Shrew

The All-Star Rock n' Breakdance Electronic Band from Shenzhen


Joined: 18 May 2004
Post Count: 2328
Location: Chefurbo Kaimuttal
237023 Potch
110 Soldiers
100 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 11:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Living without a computer would be damn near impossible, especially considering all of it I need for school. If you limited it down to recreational purposes on the computer I might do it. After about a year off it'd be pretty easy.
_________________


Fear our Vagueness.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address
Saben

The High Order of Order


Joined: 28 Mar 2004
Post Count: 601
Location: The Holy Kingdom of Harmonia
11153 Potch
0 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2004 11:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Maximillian Quixote wrote:
Saben wrote:
Give me a ticket to live with the Small Ethiopian Children and I'd be able to do it, even if I had the means in Ethiopia for watching TV, I would be able to directly see the results and rewards associated with my sacrifice.


No, that is cheating. The point of this excercise is that these people are halfway across the world and you will most likely never meet them, yet you are supposed to value their lives more than your own entertainment.

Most people would give up anything for the people around them. If it was to save your own family's life it wouldn't be a difficult choice at all, but making a huge sacrifice for a nameless and faceless stranger who you will never know is much harder.


In that case screw 'em, this may sound egotistical, but I think I can help more people in a positive way by having access to the media found on the internet, TV, than by just letting some SECs live, if I was living there with them not only would I be letting them live, but I'd be able to help them actually make something out of their lives that could benefit others, if they never knew about the sacrifice I made for them then they'd just go about their lives as SECs do without ever having the drive to make a difference, they'd just turn into spoilt egotistical brats thinking they were somehow better than the rest of the Ethiopian generations that never survived. I want to make a difference and having access to media and communication medium makes that a lot easier to do, so ultimately I think it is better for me to have the internet than it is for me to let them live.

What kind of sick freak are you for making the kids die if we break the agreement, anyway? :P
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Sualtam Lugh

Grey of Macha


Joined: 20 May 2004
Post Count: 1201
Location: Reina Mia
56109 Potch
100 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

If it was up to me there wouldn't be an Ethopia. Those children don't deserve to suffer like they do, nor do they deserve calling what they do living. That's not living. No one deserves that.

But I wouldn't help em. I have no business helping them.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Sophita

The Wee Kitty Grand Duke Defense Brigade


Joined: 13 May 2004
Post Count: 4744
Location: Reina Mia
498078 Potch
1330 Soldiers
2725 Nation Points

PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 6:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Even though the situation itself is pretty far-fetched...I think I could do it. I barely go to the movies anymore, and I only get through a few games a year anyway. I don't really watch TV as it is, so the only thing I'd really be giving up is PBS (which I would kind of miss). The only thing that would be difficult would be giving up the computer (and more to the point, the internet), but if I had books and a decent radio/cd player/record player I don't think I'd mind it very much.

I don't think that I would ever be so selfish that I couldn't give up something that was just entertainment to me if it helped other people.
_________________

SCII month continues! DueFiumi.com
John Layfield wrote:
But bubbles... children love bubbles! XD
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Synchysi

Creatures Once Godlike


Joined: 14 May 2004
Post Count: 1084

11782640 Potch
18161 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 7:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

I couldn't, and I wouldn't. I agree somewhat with Pyroflame, but alter his theory in that you can't really call it a life if your existence depends entirely on the actions of another. That would be a life lived in fear that the person your life depends upon can uphold their side of the bargain, and living in fear isn't living at all.

On top of all that, I'm a city boy. I was born in a big city and raised in a big city. I've never spent any significant amount of time away from civilized society, so in turn I've become a very materialistic person. I'd be unwilling, and possibly unable, to live without technology if I had a choice in the matter.

Poor kids, I say.
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Smirn




Joined: 20 May 2004
Post Count: 32
Location: Stein
0 Potch
0 Soldiers
0 Nation Points

PostPosted: Wed May 26, 2004 11:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

It's funny somewhat. Many (day)dreams involve leaving the civilized, modern world and its performance-driven society, pack your bags and leave for some warm, uncultivated banana republic to take it easy for the rest of your life.

Yet, hardly anyone will ever do this since they are aware of the possibility that they can't handle such an enormous change in their way of living. We've always been in contact with a variety of electronical applications and other means of luxury, which, if taken away, will be missed immensely and cause many problems.

About these poor chaps in countries where the GNP is less than the population of Liechtenstein; I have the nasty tendency to turn my head away whenever confronted with their misfortune. Partly because I don't want to see their misery, but also because I don't like to be reminded of the fact that I'm living such a relatively care-free life.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic     Forum Index -> Educational All times are GMT - 4 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next
Page 1 of 6

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
suikox.com by: Vextor


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
  Username:    Password:      Remember me