Topic awaiting preservation: The ability to cure all disease ...

If you had the ability to cure all the diseases that plague mankind forever but it meant eliminating a single reasonably large group of people (think 10 million +) all linked by some sort of ethnicity, race, gender, etc. who would you choose?

Jestah

I would eliminate the French of course.

I would eliminate all of the humans that were born on this planet (Except me and one other person)

Everyone with an income higher than $1000 a year.

Which would basically eliminate everyone in the western world, (including me) leaving only the poorer persons in 3rd-world countries. Since nobody there would be plagued like diseases like aids, I'd love to see how their version of the world would turn out.

Kicking humanity back a little. Going to a world Tyler Durden would love to see.

This is: The world according to Tyler Durden

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All those people without common sense.

Nobody. Even if it was a single person I had to eliminate, I wouldn't do it because I don't think one has any right upon somebody's life, no matter what is at stake. It is a question of morality.

So, you would cure mankind, great, and what happens to the people you chose to kill ? You would tell them they lost at the Big Roulette ? Or that you just didn't like them ? How cool. Eliminating some people to make some other people live... it reminds me of displeasant moments in mankind's history. Just think about it.

Moon shadow, I think nobody here would ever want to make such a decision. However, this is a hypothetical question. The question is not "what would you do" but

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who would you choose?

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Sorry, I was taken away in my rant, I didn't even notice.

I would probably choose the criminals or the racists then.

[This message has been edited by Moon Shadow (edited 10-29-2003).]

Most certainly them.

Couldn't be us.

=)

I'm towards politicians and political leaders.

Everyone who has ever made a blanket statement asserting the superiority of Macs.

Cell 1250 :: alanmacdougall.com :: Illustrator tips

If I were given that ability, I wouldn't use it. Not for any moral reasons about mass killings, but because disease is a natural part of life. It is a natural population control and a driver for evolution. To destroy all disease would be to stagnate the species, which in my view is a far worse crime than killing 10 million people.

I'd kill anyone with the word "Moon" in their username. They seem to be the ones f*cking up this thread.

Jestah

Sorry if I didn't read the instruction manual clearly for replying to this hypothetical question. I'll look better next time.

I thought my answer was well within the context of the question. I mean, c'mon, why should I settle for a measly ten million when I can off billions? But, whatever.

Whoa.....and this is a mighty important thread too - hate to see it get "f*cked up" by some careless poster offering opinions on the question at hand.....

Can't have that now!

Sorry, I was unaware neither DL or Moon Dancer could take a joke. From now on I'll have to comment those out for older browsers and humorless posters.

Jestah

It strikes me that such a broad and loaded hypothetical question:

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but it meant eliminating a single reasonably large group of people (think 10 million +) all linked by some sort of ethnicity, race, gender, etc. who would you choose?

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Is bound to get emotive. I'm unsure what you were looking for as an answer - Jews? Blacks? Gays? Republicans?

Is there a serious point? If Jestah were a new comer posting that question he'd probably shut the thread down for trolling (and if he didn't one of the Mad Scis probably would).

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Emps

The Emperor dot org

Um, in the heat of that... I'd like to point out that I too was joking.

Thats a good point Emps.

Its probably also the reason it was posted under the Philosophy and other Silliness forum. I don't know specifically if there needs to be a point to a question posted in a forum set aside for silliness. We'll have to ask the Doc on this one.

Jestah

Jestah: Well this is Philosophy and other Silliness and more than half have some kind of seriousish philosphical point underlying them. If this was just intended as Silliness you might have wanted to flag it with one of the wide selection of slimies we have available.

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Emps

The Emperor dot org

Ah yes, a joke.

Good one

Ok, here's an even funnier one:

I'd kill anyone named jestah, because they're all stupid pricks.

=)

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I'd kill anyone with the word "Moon" in their username. They seem to be the ones f*cking up this thread.

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I generally try to avoid things like this, but that was a joke? It seems to me that there are those (judging by what I have seen in other threads) who make harsh statements and then later defend them by saying they were only joking. It's like walking around and hitting people in the face and then saying, "Why are you angry? I was only joking."

One of the problems with posting on a message board is that no one can see your facial expression or body language. All they have to go on are your words. This is why I believe in the regular and proper use of slimies, especially when saying things that might be taken the wrong way.

However, slimies only work when the words in question might be interpreted as a joke. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't think a row of winking slimies would have done much to alleviate the harshness of this particular "joke."


___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org

But Suho - if he doesn't do things like that, then he has to work harder to come up with a pointless reason to argue with everybody about nothing.

Don't be a buzzkill Suho...let the boy have his fun.



[This message has been edited by DL-44 (edited 10-30-2003).]

I'm not exactly sure how eliminating 10+ million people relates to curing all diseases,
but I would have to go with all the people who have American Flag stickers on their cars.
I like to call the Fair-Weather Fans.


.quotes.

politicians, lawyers and telefon disinfecters!

quote:

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If you had the ability to cure all the diseases that plague mankind forever but it meant eliminating a single reasonably large group of people (think 10 million +) all linked by some sort of ethnicity, race, gender, etc. who would you choose?

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I wouldn't choose anyone. I would let things continue on their way. I feel that there are too many people around as it is. Removing disease would set us up for massive population problems, moreso then we're seeing happen now.

Before you get your baseball bat ALL the way up your ass, Jestah; not choosing is a perfectly realistic response. I would much rather be spurned, imprisoned , tortured, and basically maligned until death before inflicting a world without disease on the survivors of my decision.

Now, If I were FORCED to choose, I have three options.

1. The smallest group, regardless of who it is, just so i can feel better about myself in having killed so few.

2. The largest group, regardless of who it is, just so I can feel better about myself in having lessened the population by so much, thus giving the survivors a chance.

3. Either of the above so long as I can find a way to get myself into that group first so I don't have to live in a world such as I would be making.

So to turn this around, who would YOU choose, Jestah. Realistically now.

DL: You're right... what was I thinking? As you were, gentlemen (and women).


___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org

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Everyone with an income higher than $1000 a year.

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Haha, I only make $800 a year, and now I'm unemployed. I'm a survivor!

If this was just intended as Silliness you might have wanted to flag it with one of the wide selection of slimies we have available.
Emps, I placed my thread in the proper forum to avoid any need to "flag" it. Whether or not you want to answer my question is no reason for you to ask me to label something thats in the correct location.

I generally try to avoid things like this, but that was a joke?

Of course it was a joke Suho. By chance, the two individuals who seemed hesitant to answer the question both had names beginning with "Moon." At least read this thread before you ask stupid questions.

It seems to me that there are those (judging by what I have seen in other threads) who make harsh statements and then later defend them by saying they were only joking. It's like walking around and hitting people in the face and then saying, "Why are you angry? I was only joking."

Suho, it seems to me you've accused me of making harsh statements in other threads toward other members only to reply with "I was joking." Be a decent guy and post an example. Otherwise be a decent guy and promptly apologize. There is little need for you to make these false accusations.

However, slimies only work when the words in question might be interpreted as a joke. To be perfectly honest with you, I don't think a row of winking slimies would have done much to alleviate the harshness of this particular "joke."

If a row of slimies aren't enough of you to figure out the joke perhaps sobering up and reading this thread in the proper context and state of mind will be enough for you. If English isn't your primarly language Master Suho by all means fill me in on what it is and I'll attempt to translate it for you. It seems absurd someone who I previously viewed as rationally minded would choose to spend this much time posting something that anyone with a 3rd grade education would see as a joke. As I've said previous to this the two people who seemed hesitant to answer this question happened to have names beginning with "Moon." That was about all there was to it. Put down your beer and re-read this thread.


Before you get your baseball bat ALL the way up your ass, Jestah; not choosing is a perfectly realistic response. I would much rather be spurned, imprisoned , tortured, and basically maligned until death before inflicting a world without disease on the survivors of my decision.


GN in the off chance that you choose to take the time to read from my original post till this one you'll probably realize that I haven't once commented on anyone being unwilling to kill an entire group in order to destroy all disease in a negative way. Take the baseball bat out of your own ass.

So to turn this around, who would YOU choose, Jestah. Realistically now.
Realistically, I would choose people like Emps and Suho. Had DLs second post not occured they would not have replied the way they did. Of course you realize you fit into this group. Remove all three of their comments and theres just no reason for you to respond the way you did.

You four made this a negative thread. Not I.

Jestah

[Edit: You know what? It's just not worth it...]

[This message has been edited by Suho1004 (edited 11-01-2003).]

Edit : Bha nevermind. Settle your scores if this is what you want

[This message has been edited by Moon Shadow (edited 11-01-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Moon Shadow (edited 11-01-2003).]

quote:

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If this was just intended as Silliness you might have wanted to flag it with one of the wide selection of slimies we have available.
Emps, I placed my thread in the proper forum to avoid any need to "flag" it. Whether or not you want to answer my question is no reason for you to ask me to label something thats in the correct location.

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If this was the Silliness forum then I might agree but it isn't. You might consider the various threads on the existence o God or the various wars around the world or the environment to be silly but that isn't my problem. Even then if I was going to make a joke post about genocide (even in a forum dedicated purely to silliness) I'd probably want to flag it as such o avoid misunderstanding.

quote:

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So to turn this around, who would YOU choose, Jestah. Realistically now.
Realistically, I would choose people like Emps and Suho. Had DLs second post not occured they would not have replied the way they did. Of course you realize you fit into this group. Remove all three of their comments and theres just no reason for you to respond the way you did.

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Luckily I (and probably Suho) don't need DL's help to spot the ridiculousness of your postings in this thread - he got here before the rest of us so whoop dee doo. Does DL posting first mean we can't post or we are just sheep following him round?

Being added to your genocide list does give me a warm fuzzy feeling (as I am already on a potential serial killer's death list you might have to form a queue).

[edit: MS is right - I'd suggest taking it email but there is no point esp. as I'm still struggling to discover the point of this thread ]

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Emps

The Emperor dot org

Thank you for proving my point Jestah - I knew you'd be a sport

You certainly have alwasy been able to prove beyond all doubt that you are in fact the bigger asshole =)

Way to go champ!

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GN in the off chance that you choose to take the time to read from my original post till this one you'll probably realize that I haven't once commented on anyone being unwilling to kill an entire group in order to destroy all disease in a negative way. Take the baseball bat out of your own ass.

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First off. It's GD not GN and secondly your post:

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I'd kill anyone with the word "Moon" in their username. They seem to be the ones f*cking up this thread.

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Was directly a comment on anyone being unwilling to kill an entire group. Seeing as they were the only ones who had posted that opinion at that point. You seriously need to find a sense of humor if you think that was going to be taken as a joke instead of an abrasive comment. Considering EVERYONE so far seems to think it sounded more like an attack, contrary to your unsderstanding that it was a joke, it isn't us that need to apologize. Your intent is meaningless if your actions don't make that intent obvious to everyone. Continuing to insult people for calling you on your lack of clarity is not going to fix the problem.

To echo DL, thanx Jestah, for proving what we already believe. What I already believed anyway.

So... to try and get this back on track seeing as Jestah has given up on it. Does anyone else care to answer the question?



[This message has been edited by GrythusDraconis (edited 11-02-2003).]

Oh! I get it! Genocide is silly and a joking matter! Thank you, so much for enlightening me on this new paradigm of thought, Jestah. I couldn't have possibly learned about it without you. I completely missed the true connotations of all linked by some sort of ethnicity, race, gender, etc. who would you choose? Ha ha. Silly me.

But back to the topic at hand at GD's request: I stand by my answer as posted above. Whether serious or jocular.

Who wants my GUN..


~Sig coming soon~

binary: You already know the answer to that one, sweetheart.


___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org

Slut.

=)

After reading all the crap that ensued and re-reading the original question, I finally came up with an answer that I'm comfortable with. Since we are all equal, I would have every group in question draw straws.

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Since we are all equal, I would have every group in question draw straws

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Hey! I like that one. I feel shamed... You're a less selfish man then I, it seems. Congratz!

Hey! My group got the short straw...care to make it best 2 out of 3?

OK lets just pick a group in an arbitary fashion like urmmmm......... like everyone who's birthday it is today (5th November - Guy Fawkes and the Bonifre Plot - seems appropriate).

Eh? Whats that you say? Its who's birthday??? Well we can't have that then can we!!

My main concern is how one would define the group and do I have to stop at 10+ million. I'd go for the cruel, the nasty, the unpleasant, the bastards, etc. and I doubt that group comes in at anywhere near 10+ million

Whats that you say? I'm in that group??? Bugger

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Emps

The Emperor dot org

Gosh, Emps. You don't know how nice it is to know someone took the time to notice. It's much appreciate, really

I wonder just how many people in the world were born on this day? Is there any way to get that information with any degree of accuracy? I wonder how close it compares to our target death toll of 10 mill ?

. . : slicePuzzle

Bugs: I reckon it would be around 17 million going on the numbers here:
http://www.ibiblio.org/lunarbin/worldpop?o=0

[edit: Sorry I couldn't resist sneaking that in ]

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Emps

The Emperor dot org

Since I haven't actually posited an answer to this question yet, I say we just knock off all the people who are not wearing pants at this moment. Skirts and dresses for the ladies are fine--the last thing we need right now is ten million less women.

Hmm... now that I think about it, there is a pretty bad shortage of women in Asia. Ten million less guys in the region would most likely help even things out.... not the married ones, though.




___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org

I would eliminate every person having a weapon.

Mathieu "POÏ" HENRI

Suho:

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I say we just knock off all the people who are not wearing pants at this moment. Skirts and dresses for the ladies are fine--the last thing we need right now is ten million less women.

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Righto so you are down one Emperor (and they are robes!!) - where are he other 9,999,999 coming from?

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Emps

The Emperor dot org

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I would eliminate every person having a weapon.

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Oh really, well, I'm dead then. Call me crazy but, well, this is crazy.

I guess it comes down to 'how do you define a weapon?'

I own a composite bow that I use for archery (never hunted, probably never going too) and I use my Dads Glock at the shooting range.

I own several large knifes, in fact, most people own knifes.

I own a (real) boomerang.

I used to own several shurikens.

I know friends who own katanas, maces, guns, etcetera.

Should we die?

__________________
War is Peace,
Freedom is Slavery,
Ignorance is Strength.

CFB, I think he meant all males... ahem ......

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Should we die?

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Yes! Sorry, that was you or the rest of humanity.
By weapon, I meant any object specifically made to be an instrument of attack or defense in combat.

Since weapons exist, I can understand their use for artistic/athletic purpose but see no good reason to let individuals own some. But that's another debate.

Mathieu "POÏ" HENRI

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another debate

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Oh boy, is it ever We should do a formal debate on that one someday

. . : slicePuzzle

Emps: once I find the member directory to your "No Pants Club" I'm sure I'll be well on my way

poi: What about my fists of fury? I was born with these. I don't think I should be punished just because God decided to make me an avatar of pain and hurt...


___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org

Suho1004: You can live unless your fists are some objects, like the ones including mini-rocket launcher, swiss knife, laser, grapling hook ... we can see in some James Bond movies

Mathieu "POÏ" HENRI

RoboSuho 1004 the latest in defense technology.

. . : slicePuzzle

I think, I would be tempted to eliminate the religious people too. After all, they believe in a sort of "God" or life after death, so they souldn't care to die.

Mathieu "POÏ" HENRI

Oh pick me, pick me, pick me!!! Some of us aspire to honestly say things like, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.".

poi: Ah, I'm afraid I'll be going anyway, right along with Bugs. Although you do realize that if you eliminate all the "religious" people, you'll be eliminating the vast majority of the world's population... far more than 10,000 people or so.

I can hear the cries of "good riddance" from the atheist crowd already...

Although, in all seriousness, Bugs reply has made me think. I bet we could easily find 10,000 or so people who would give their lives if it meant that terminally ill friends and loved ones could live. Rather than forcing a certain group out of existence or making an arbitrary choice, I would call for volunteers. Think about it: laying down your life to cure all diseases--I can think of worse reasons for dying.


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Suho: www.liminality.org

quote:

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I can hear the cries of "good riddance" from the atheist crowd already...

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Amen!

Oh...wait..........

( )

quote:

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I would eliminate every person having a weapon

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this includes all the police officers, gangsters, military guys, osama, detectives, FBI guys, CIA guys, KGB guys..ohh wait they are already dead...
=D

Hehe....

*Pictures Bugs as the Donkey in the fairytale creature gathering before Shreks hut, jumping up and down, shouting 'Pick me! Pick me!'*

*Falls down laughing*

Calling for volunteers is a pretty good idea - Johannesburg, anyone? Drink that kool-aid! Yep!

Suho1004: In the context of the question, would getting rid of religious people be so bad ? Remember they'll be in a 'better place'.

DL-44: doh!

Ruski: Yeah, that's the purpose of my proposal. And you forgot to mention all the assholes sleeping with a gun under their pillow or letting their children play in a house in which they have a gun.

Mathieu "POÏ" HENRI

Or any of us assholes that have a sword/knife collection, a hunting bow, an air rifle, any martial arts training (people have been convicted for misuse of martial arts training, being cited that they ARE a lethal weapon), and a whole slew of other things. Be more specific. I consider myself a weapon AND I own a lot of weapons. I'm pretty much toast either way BUT if you're only meaning firearms... I'm fine.

Hey... I have a better one than my last answer. How about stupid people... or to be more clear... people with no common sense.

poi: no offense, but I still think my proposal makes more sense than yours. I know this is a hypothetical question, but I still don't think any of us have the right to play God and decide which group of people will die.


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Suho: www.liminality.org