You see a button on a wall with a sign that says "Push this button for $100,000!" (Please substitute for a similar amount of your country's currency from here on if needed)
There is a person ahead of you, and he pushes the button. But, instead of receiving the money as promised by the [totally legit] sign, he receives what appears to be a rather severe and continuous shock of electricity. It's quite clear that it was very painful, as he rolls on the floor for about an hour in agony. But, as the torment subsides and he stands up, he receives 50 dollars.
Now comes the question for you: Do you press the button?
Maybe it only happens to the first person.
Maybe the button is more like a lottery, and you will have better luck.
Perhaps it malfunctioned. It clearly gives out some money.
Maybe that guy was weak and the pain is worth the try at least.
Or, maybe pain means nothing to you in the face of even a small payout.
But, what if the pain will be worse for you?
Or, maybe it's proportionate to the amount of money received. $50 compared to $100,000 could kill you.
You saw plain as day that this button caused someone a great deal of pain. It's easy to say "hell yeah, I'd go for it!" in a hypothetical situation, without any real risk of pain. But, truly put yourself into the scenario. Think of a time that you were in so much pain, you couldn't even form thoughts, stand, or breathe properly. Now make that last an hour.
So, will you press it? If yes, what is your reasoning?
[Addition:] Ugh, ok, this isn't about trying to beat the system. Even if you use a stick or rock or rubber suit, you still get shocked. It's a magic shocky button that dispenses money. -_- This is a question of philosophy on risk/pain vs reward, not a riddle.
[Addition 2:] Ok, you people are really ruining this by thinking too much. You can't steal the money from other people. This is about YOU and YOUR decision to press the button or not. But, yes, sitting to watch for a pattern is an acceptable answer.
There is a person ahead of you, and he pushes the button. But, instead of receiving the money as promised by the [totally legit] sign, he receives what appears to be a rather severe and continuous shock of electricity. It's quite clear that it was very painful, as he rolls on the floor for about an hour in agony. But, as the torment subsides and he stands up, he receives 50 dollars.
Now comes the question for you: Do you press the button?
Maybe it only happens to the first person.
Maybe the button is more like a lottery, and you will have better luck.
Perhaps it malfunctioned. It clearly gives out some money.
Maybe that guy was weak and the pain is worth the try at least.
Or, maybe pain means nothing to you in the face of even a small payout.
But, what if the pain will be worse for you?
Or, maybe it's proportionate to the amount of money received. $50 compared to $100,000 could kill you.
You saw plain as day that this button caused someone a great deal of pain. It's easy to say "hell yeah, I'd go for it!" in a hypothetical situation, without any real risk of pain. But, truly put yourself into the scenario. Think of a time that you were in so much pain, you couldn't even form thoughts, stand, or breathe properly. Now make that last an hour.
So, will you press it? If yes, what is your reasoning?
[Addition:] Ugh, ok, this isn't about trying to beat the system. Even if you use a stick or rock or rubber suit, you still get shocked. It's a magic shocky button that dispenses money. -_- This is a question of philosophy on risk/pain vs reward, not a riddle.
[Addition 2:] Ok, you people are really ruining this by thinking too much. You can't steal the money from other people. This is about YOU and YOUR decision to press the button or not. But, yes, sitting to watch for a pattern is an acceptable answer.
