Hi.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about thought experiments.  They’re pretty harmless right?  Yet they can offer difficult but revealing views of a particular topic, of a moral or ethical conundrum, or even of our friends, neighbors and, most critically, ourselves.

For example one that I remember (and it is pretty unnerving so please don’t read further unless you have a strong enough constitution) is where a terrorist (this is modernized from a nazi or communist) has each of your only two children held captive and at gunpoint.  There is a gun pointed at each and you are standing there, bound and likewise at gunpoint.

“One must die” he says to you coldly.  “You must pick and you have one minute to do so.  Pick neither and they will both be shot.”  Both children look at you but you find it almost impossible to meet their terrified, desperate eyes.

Now you don’t know if he absolutely means or will do what he says.  If you do not choose he will kill both and then may or may not also kill you.  If you choose one child he may shoot that child as he said or shoot the other- maybe he will shoot both no matter what.  If you do not choose he may shoot you first but that would spare you from having to see what would follow so that is unlikely to such an evil person.  Is he testing your love for your children or just a wicked sadist?  Is there a way to stall or somehow get free and save both your children and then yourself?  Could you offer yourself instead and would he accept and honor that?  Honor?  From a terrorist?  (Or nazi or communist?)

Time is ticking so what do you do?

Okay, so this is an extreme example.  I have a few that I want to put out there and I will start with a simple one.

This is 2014, mid-term election year.  Lots of choices right?

How about this.  On your ballot there is a box at the bottom.  There is a bold explanation of this box in all caps just next to it:

“BY CHECKING THIS BOX YOU INDICATE THAT ALTHOUGH YOU ARE CASTING A VOTE YOU ARE NOT     SATISFIED WITH THE CANDIDATES LISTED ON THIS BALLOT.”

So, would you check it?

Now, let’s say the explanation instead said:

“BY CHECKING THIS BOX YOU INDICATE THAT ALTHOUGH YOU ARE CASTING A VOTE YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE CANDIDATES LISTED ON THIS BALLOT  AND ARE WILLING TO BE CONTACTED FOR A FOLLOW-UP TO HELP ASCERTAIN THE REASON OR REASONS FOR YOUR DISSATISFACTION.”

Still check it?

Another:

“BY CHECKING THIS BOX YOU INDICATE THAT ALTHOUGH YOU ARE CASTING A VOTE YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH EITHER THE CANDIDATES LISTED ON THIS BALLOT OR YOUR LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL BE CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE REASON OR REASONS FOR YOUR DISSATISFACTIONS.”

Still good to check?

Last one now:

“BY CHECKING THIS BOX YOU INDICATE THAT ALTHOUGH YOU ARE CASTING A VOTE YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH EITHER THE CANDIDATES LISTED ON THIS BALLOT OR YOUR LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL THEN BE SUBJECT TO A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, TO INVOLVE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION INCLUDING CREDIT HISTORY; GENERAL DOCUMENTATION; WORK AND EDUCATION HISTORY; CRIMINAL AND ARREST RECORDS; COMMUNICATIONS HISTORY AND RECORDS; MEDICAL HISTORY AND RECORDS; AND ANY OTHER AREAS NOT HEREIN INDICATED BUT DEEMED IMPORTANT TO SUCH REVIEW BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THESE UNITED STATES AND/OR ANY OF ITS DESIGNATED AGENCIES.  YOU ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT SUCH REVIEW MAY, BY LAW OR FIAT, BE ENHANCED TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY; YOUR EXTENDED FAMILY; YOUR BUSINESS CONTACTS, CUSTOMERS, AND ASSOCIATES; AND, IN GENERAL, ANY AND ALL RELATIONSHIPS AND OR CONTACTS NOT HEREIN INDICATED BUT DEEMED IMPORTANT TO SUCH REVIEW BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THESE UNITED STATES AND/OR ANY OF ITS DESIGNATED AGENCIES.”

If you are happy with your governments and your candidates then all is well.  But, if not, do you check this box?

Yeah, I thought so.

Welcome to 2014.