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Would You Rather?

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S

SnotBubbles

Aug 11, 2010 8:12 AM
I was watching some "History Channel" last night and it got me thinking....

Would you rather:

1) Live to be less than 40, but do many great things for humanity and be remembered forever?

or

2) Live to be over 80, living a normal life and being remembered only by family/friends until your memory eventually fades away (like everyone's does eventually)?

It's a really good question. Do you want a long life of being a spec of dust on this planet, but being happy nonetheless? Or would you give that up for an early departure and a place in history? Many great men died young changing history....it is quite a sacrifice.
Aug 11, 2010 8:12am
power i's avatar

power i

Senior Member

1,296 posts
Aug 11, 2010 8:19 AM
I'll take the long spec of dust life. As I approach the age of grandmotherhood, there is no way in hell I'd give that up.
Aug 11, 2010 8:19am
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Aug 11, 2010 8:22 AM
Easily choose the long life.
Aug 11, 2010 8:22am
THE4RINGZ's avatar

THE4RINGZ

R.I.P Thread Bomber

16,816 posts
Aug 11, 2010 9:05 AM
The only people who are really important to me is my immediate family so I will take the longer life and do my best to provide for them financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Aug 11, 2010 9:05am
S

SnotBubbles

Aug 11, 2010 9:08 AM
THE4RINGZ;448136 wrote:The only people who are really important to me is my immediate family so I will take the longer life and do my best to provide for them financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

I should have clarified. If you're already 75, there is no point in answering this question. :D
Aug 11, 2010 9:08am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Aug 11, 2010 10:48 AM
The longer life. My family/friends are the only one I care about remembering me.
Aug 11, 2010 10:48am
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Aug 11, 2010 10:53 AM
I don't really care what people i don't know think about me, so I'm going with a longer life with family and friends.
Aug 11, 2010 10:53am
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Aug 11, 2010 10:59 AM
option 2
Aug 11, 2010 10:59am
Heretic's avatar

Heretic

Son of the Sun

18,820 posts
Aug 11, 2010 12:15 PM
Question: By "do many great things for humanity", does that include starting a genocidal regime and become forever known as one of the most bloodthirsty tyrants of all time before finally being taken out by assassins in my late 30s?

Because that's the only role in history I'd want to play.
Aug 11, 2010 12:15pm
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Aug 11, 2010 12:26 PM
Hmmm when I initially answered this question, I was thinking about it from the point of view that either everyone remembers you or you live a long happy life and only your family remembers you. That's an easy choice for me, but I don't think that answers the actual question. I thought about it some more, and I'm now coming at it from the angle would you rather have a large impact on humanity and a short life, or just live a regular life with little to no impact and largely not making a difference to anyone outside of your imediate family. I think it depends on the impact. If we're talking about solving world hunger, creating a infinite power source or creating peace between muslims and christians I would probably be willing to live a shorter life.

I think that's a simplistic view though and for the most part many noble people struggle and sacrifice with larger issues like that, with little recognition to show for it, but only a few actually achieve those kind of goals.
Aug 11, 2010 12:26pm
Darkon's avatar

Darkon

Senior Member

3,476 posts
Aug 11, 2010 1:24 PM
I'm past #1 and hoping I make it to #2!

But #2 would be my answer.
Aug 11, 2010 1:24pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Aug 11, 2010 1:53 PM
I'd like to live to be 120 and have an impact on the entire universe. Aliens and shit, dude.
Aug 11, 2010 1:53pm
C

Con_Alma

Senior Member

12,198 posts
Aug 11, 2010 3:26 PM
If I'm limited to your answers I choose #2.

If I can add my own it would be to live a long life and do great things but not have people know it was me. I don't need to be remembered nor do I want it. Making an impact is more important than knowing who it was that made the impact.
Aug 11, 2010 3:26pm
M

mattinctown

Aug 11, 2010 4:26 PM
I would probably choose the long life, though not as sure about it as some people.
Aug 11, 2010 4:26pm
J

johngrizzly

Senior Member

213 posts
Aug 11, 2010 4:36 PM
I'd choose to live long. Like 131 years old. Then I would have lived long and been the oldest mother fucker in world history and be remembered forever.
Aug 11, 2010 4:36pm
B

bwcomet89

Senior Member

633 posts
Aug 12, 2010 3:15 AM
Can I live til I'm 120 and not be remembered by my friends and family? Therefore being an even smaller speck of dust? If so I'll take that.
Aug 12, 2010 3:15am
thePITman's avatar

thePITman

Senior Member

3,867 posts
Aug 12, 2010 7:59 AM
I would rather live a long and happy life with my family. The older I get, the wiser I (hopefully) get, especially after the age of 40, which is when I would die in the first option. The wiser I get, the more people I would be able to impact in some way. Some very meaningful people in my life, some of the most influential, have been over the age of 40, people just being parents (or friends' parents) or coaches or normal, everyday type people. Even "normal" people can have great, positive impacts on society. I will take that.
Aug 12, 2010 7:59am
bases_loaded's avatar

bases_loaded

Senior Member

6,912 posts
Aug 12, 2010 8:02 AM
If you voted for Obama you chose option 1. That is a progressive look on life. Family is and will always come first to me
Aug 12, 2010 8:02am
Mohican00's avatar

Mohican00

Dirty White Boy

3,394 posts
Aug 12, 2010 9:25 AM
#1 without question. I have no desire to make it past 70, let alone 80....old, soiled and dependent on others
Aug 12, 2010 9:25am
M

mella

Senior Member

647 posts
Aug 12, 2010 9:29 AM
Can I die before the age of 40 but come back proclaiming to be the true son of God?
Aug 12, 2010 9:29am
Cat Food Flambe''s avatar

Cat Food Flambe'

Senior Member

1,230 posts
Aug 12, 2010 1:38 PM
Personally, I want to be shot to death at age 95 by a jealous husband.

I could not care less about how many people other than my family and close friends remember me after I'm gone.

OK - maybe the lady whose husband shoots me - especially if she smiles when she thinks about me. :)
Aug 12, 2010 1:38pm