Sept 1st, 2016: Question

Here's something a little different for the IOtD, a question...



Seven to one odds.
Is it worth the risk?
Do you feel lucky, punk?

When do I get shot?

When do I get the money?

What currency?

How many times may I spin?

How can I trust that the payoff will occur?


My answer: interesting question..

Nope.



I know, I'm not super interesting in the "would you rather?" game either.

Shot in the head. We assume fatality. Die instantly or be given at least $500k. What dollar value do you put on your life?

My kids are nearly grown. If I died today, they would still live good lives. They would be a bit sadder, but they would be fine. If I suddenly had any of the top 4 amounts of money, all motivation for bettering themselves would evaporate. We would all be worse people, creating our own adversity because money would wipe away any real life challenges.

I'll pass. I'd rather be working for a paycheck than waiting to win the lottery. [/brighteyes]

That is, unless this I the price is right or wheel of fortune wheel, and I get to physically spin it. I'm confident enough in my skil that I would bet my life that I don't land on red.

2-part answer...

Part 1: No. I'm a coward.

Part 2, borrowing from lumberjim: all motivation for bettering themselves would evaporate. We would all be worse people, creating our own adversity because money would wipe away any real life challenges.

That's exactly why I welcome challenge and adversity in my life no matter how hard I whine about them. Replace those with money...nope, still don't wanna be Gwyneth Paltrow when I grow up. Having that kind of money handed to me would turn me into someone I don't want to be--someone without ambition (when I barely have any to start with) and without a reason to mentally or physically work for anything again. I'm better off poor and pissed, methinks!

nope

lumberjim;968101 wrote:

If I suddenly had any of the top 4 amounts of money, all motivation for bettering themselves would evaporate. We would all be worse people, creating our own adversity because money would wipe away any real life challenges.

I like your thinking.

Rich people build walls. It's what they do. Do you want to be walled off? You would have a dozen compounds around the world and would have an entourage sucking up to you. No actual relationships with anyone. You wouldn't trust anyone because they all want your money.

It would be too easy to turn into a Donald Trump.

Every once in a while, you hear about someone who breaks that mold. Like the 4 hour caffeine drink guy who apparently set up a research lab with his riches in order to find inventions that would further mankind. It would take discipline to do that.

That's excellent parental thinking, wanting them to better themselves, but now that they're nearly grown, it's a trap. How much better do you need them to be?

Better than me

Mission Accomplished? :D

Give me two practice spins, and yes, I'd do it. I have excellent fine and gross motor control.

Otherwise, I think I'll pass too. :)

Undertoad;968119 wrote:

Mission Accomplished? :D

in some ways yes, but in others it's too early in the game to tell. They need to be self sufficient and have some adversity to overcome before I can really say. Who can really say who is 'better' anyway. I'll be happy if they live happy lives.

I'd do it in a heartbeat.
If I lose, no one gets hurt, no one cares.
If I win, even the smallest prize, I could do a lot of good with that money.

Can I wait until after the eclipse?
Welcome back, Bruce.

Today? Yep, I'd spin that wheel. And I'd be trying for red. Not that much to lose.

xoxoxoBruce wrote:

If I win, even the smallest prize, I could do a lot of good with that money

I actually didn't think about this--I was thinking I wouldn't be especially interested in the huge payouts, for any reason. Forget the risk of dying, I probably wouldn't even do something relatively inconvenient for it, because I've never been comfortable with the idea of being rich to begin with. I only want enough that I can do what I want without having to worry about it, "what I want" being a relatively modest set of things. I'd like to travel a bit, I guess, pay people to do some chores I find annoying, but I'd refuse to get a fancy car or house or anything even if money were no object. I'd hate even looking at the stupid thing in our driveway, and be embarrassed to walk inside the house.

But you've reminded me that I could give the money away. I still wouldn't risk death for it, but yeah, I'd do some unpleasant things to be able to help others with it.

Gravdigr;968131 wrote:

Today? Yep, I'd spin that wheel. And I'd be trying for red. Not that much to lose.

Shut yo mouth.

Do you remember the trees? Do you remember all the different ways of the trees? Do you remember that? Do you remember? Huh? The mountains? Do you remember all that?

One shot.

One shot, one shot.

I remember the trees, tall, short, many colors, some dead.

footfootfoot;968140 wrote:

Do you remember the trees? Do you remember all the different ways of the trees? Do you remember that? Do you remember? Huh? The mountains? Do you remember all that?

One shot.

One shot, one shot.

That's three shots.

Come to think of it, I could use a shot or ten.

lumberjim;968138 wrote:

Shut yo mouth.

Meh.

No. Not a snowflake's chance in Hell.

Sure, why not.

Money doesn't have to ruin your life...

Carruthers;968231 wrote:

No. Not a snowflake's chance in Hell.

How about if we replace that paltry $500k with a day in bed with Emma Watson, hmmmm?

xoxoxoBruce;968295 wrote:

Money doesn't have to ruin your life...

A paraphrase of this post would make a good epitaph.

orthodoc;968321 wrote:

A paraphrase of this post would make a good epitaph.

My epitaph, soon.

Soon?


You know something you ain't sharing?

Yes.

Dammit.

...the fuck?

I'm genuinely sorry to hear that.

Indeed...

:thepain:

Damn it, man. :(

The fuck Bruce

Ummm ... What just happened?

Your epitaph, Bruce? Got a billion?

I would take it to mean that when he dies his assets will exceed his needs and go to charity (without a dollar amount attached).

YMMV.

I'd spin that wheel in a hearbeat.
Nothing more to lose. I'm going anyway soon and no-one will benefit and my family will have to pay my funeral costs.
May as well give them something to party on.

ETA - Bruce? Oh no. Please say it was an answer about the frailty of life.

My mother said, Do it in your sixties, you won't be able to in your seventies." She knew how steep the slope becomes.