From: Emlyn (emlyn@one.net.au)
Date: Fri Sep 29 2000 - 07:26:12 MDT
Robin wrote:
> We want to change ourselves, to make ourselves richer, smarter, and more
> able.
> And others don't seem terribly excited by this. Why? One simple theory
is
> that
> they are afraid of what we would do with such powers.
>
> If you need a vivid demonstration, try the following question on people
you
> know:
>
> "A random person in the world will be chosen, and you get this choice:
> a) Let them have $X more worth of real resources (such as by telling them
> where
> to find an oil reserve that would otherwise remain unfound.)
> b) Nothing happens.
> Which do you choose?
>
> Caveats: You don't get to learn who it is before you choose. They never
> learn
> that it was you that allowed them this benefit."
>
> If you let X be a million or more dollars worth, most people will choose
> nothing.
> They will explain that it could be another Hitler, and they wouldn't want
> to be
> responsible for that. Which I find pretty amazing.
>
> Interesting variations:
> 1) How large would X be before you switch to picking nothing?
> 2) Let the choice be about whether to give one "wish" (where the standard
> restrictions apply, e.g., no wishing for more wishes).
> 3) Instead of choosing to increase their wealth, let the choice be about
> whether to increase their looks, charisma, intelligence, or lifespan.
There seems to be a fear of what the person who receives the money would do
with it. I wonder if this "fear" disguises a jealousy on the part of the
person who chooses?
Try this variant:
"A random person in the world will be chosen, and you get this choice:
a) Let them have $X more worth of real resources (such as by telling
them where
to find an oil reserve that would otherwise remain unfound.)
b) Nothing happens.
You will also receive $X of new real resources, regardless of the way you
choose.
Which do you choose?
Emlyn
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 15:31:17 MST