# Choose between 100 family/friends dying or 10,000 strangers **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651 "2011-07-11T18:27:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/21 "2011-07-11T22:32:12Z")
I’m sorry, I don’t know how to answer that, I just know that’s how I feel. I’ve tried asking where morality comes from, and that seems a hard question to find the answer to! I am divorced, so my ex has no say in the matter, but I have no doubts that this would cause an argument with him. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/22 "2011-07-11T22:43:08Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > It’s not evil, it’s human. We’re tribal by nature. Right. I’d say it is somewhat immoral, but quite human to choose those close to us over a mass of strangers. Where you draw the line at “tribe” can vary of course. I probably would not choose to save 1,000 random innocent American strangers over 10,000 random innocent Danish strangers - my own tribalism largely does not extend to all that strongly valuing strangers of my own nationality over any other. But friends and family are a whole 'nother kettle of fish. I suspect I’d make the immoral and selfish choice ( in my view ) of saving those close to me and feel shitty about it. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/23 "2011-07-11T22:59:42Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Right. I’d say it is somewhat immoral, but quite human to choose those close to us over a mass of strangers. Where you draw the line at “tribe” can vary of course. I probably would not choose to save 1,000 random innocent American strangers over 10,000 random innocent Danish strangers - my own tribalism largely does not extend to all that strongly valuing strangers of my own nationality over any other. > > But friends and family are a whole 'nother kettle of fish. I suspect I’d make the immoral and selfish choice ( in my view ) of saving those close to me and feel shitty about it. Substitute innocent Canadian strangers over another nationality and this is my feeling too. In fact in the original hypothetical I would likely end up choosing mostly Canadians just because those would be the names I would know/have easily available. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/24 "2011-07-11T23:21:40Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Right. I’d say it is somewhat immoral, but quite human to choose those close to us over a mass of strangers. Where you draw the line at “tribe” can vary of course. I probably would not choose to save 1,000 random innocent American strangers over 10,000 random innocent Danish strangers - my own tribalism largely does not extend to all that strongly valuing strangers of my own nationality over any other. > > But friends and family are a whole 'nother kettle of fish. I suspect I’d make the immoral and selfish choice ( in my view ) of saving those close to me and feel shitty about it. You must have some preference for your own fellow citizens. There is a price point somewhere. Say 9,000 Americans might be worth saving for you over 10,000 Danes. But I don’t think any of us can realistically answer that question hypothetically. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/25 "2011-07-11T23:30:17Z")
Will my name and photo be splattered all across the world news? That would affect my decision. I’d still choose to let the 10,000 die, and I’d be willing to go as high as 500,000,000 or 1,000,000,000 if I can remain anonymous. If I can’t be anonymous, I think I might quit at 100K, possibly as high as a million, since I assume it’ll be spread out evenly, and a very tiny drop in the human bucket. Judging by this thread, most people will understand. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/26 "2011-07-11T23:34:02Z")
Clarification needed. Am I a beneficiary in my family/friends wills? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/27 "2011-07-12T01:14:04Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Clarification needed. > > Am I a beneficiary in my family/friends wills? You, I like. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/28 "2011-07-12T01:32:19Z")
Without a seconds thought, I’ll choose the strangers to live. I’ll be making many other people loose dozens of friends, and I am just too mindful of others and empathic to live with myself if that happens. Besides, anyone dumb enough to be a jerk like me’s friend is just too darn dumb to live. Yay internet anonymity! ---
**Author:** ![phantom\_lamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@phantom\_lamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phantom_lamb)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/29 "2011-07-12T10:35:53Z")
I’d save my family and friends. Losing my entire family and circle of friends would be the most devastating thing I could ever imagine. On the other hand, tens of thousands of people sometimes die in natural disasters in other parts of the world - and even though I find it terribly heartbreaking, I can still manage to continue my life as normal. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/30 "2011-07-12T16:14:55Z")
> [@MegaBee](#): > > I’d choose the 10,000 strangers without a moment’s hesitation. I’d choose the 10,000 strangers to die. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/31 "2011-07-12T16:16:12Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I am noticing a trend here, so I am adding a bonus question: At what point would your mind change- > 100 vs. 50,000? > 100 vs. 100,000? > 100 vs. 500,000? > 100 vs. 1,000,000? > Would you pick 100 friends/family no matter what? I’d pick the 100 friends and family to live no matter what. It could be a billion strangers, and I’d make the same choice without hesitation. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/32 "2011-07-12T16:20:29Z")
I would also make the 100 friends/family members live. Killing them really brings it home and besides there are plenty of humans in the world and I don’t consider human life inherently sacred. I don’t advocate for culling, but when left with no choice I can’t say I’d grieve terribly. ---
**Author:** ![Vihaga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Vihaga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vihaga)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/33 "2011-07-12T16:43:30Z")
The friends and family live, and I don’t even consider it particularly immoral a decision. Random people have no expectation of me putting myself out to help them, and choosing to save the strangers puts me out substantially. I don’t owe them anything. I owe my family rather a lot, though. ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/34 "2011-07-12T16:49:25Z")
I hope this isn’t considered hijacking, and if it is, I do apologize. What if we add the prisoner’s dilemma to equation? Odin offers the same choice to every person if you choose to kill 10,000 instead of 100. Would you still choose to have 10,000 random victims knowing that those 10,000 are now going to be given your choice? I’m really curious, because I thought people actually cared about people because, well, they are people. A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/35 "2011-07-12T17:15:41Z")
> [@Zyanthia](#): > > I hope this isn’t considered hijacking, and if it is, I do apologize. What if we add the prisoner’s dilemma to equation? > > Odin offers the same choice to every person if you choose to kill 10,000 instead of 100. > > Would you still choose to have 10,000 random victims knowing that those 10,000 are now going to be given your choice? > > **I’m really curious, because I thought people actually cared about people because, well, they are people. A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.** Nope. Not for me at least. I will pick family and friends first, and screw everybody else. I would expect the same response from anybody else. Those who would kill their own over strangers are people I hope I’ve never met, much less related-to. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/36 "2011-07-12T17:16:55Z")
> [@Zyanthia](#): > > A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet. Some strangers are enemies you haven’t met yet. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/37 "2011-07-12T17:26:25Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Nope. Not for me at least. I will pick family and friends first, and screw everybody else. I would expect the same response from anybody else. Those who would kill their own over strangers are people I hope I’ve never met, much less related-to. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t kill 100 innocent strangers to safe to life of a friend or family member. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/38 "2011-07-12T17:33:53Z")
How strange are they? 100 random Chinese? Toast. 100 random Canadians? Bye-bye. 100 Americans? It would twinge a bit, but family first (except this one cousin…). 100 of my students? Now I’d struggle with it. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/39 "2011-07-12T18:32:04Z")
I don’t have 100 friends and/or family. Right now there is just my mother and my ex. If I choose the 100 to die where does Odin get the other 98? I go with the 100 people to die. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651/40 "2011-07-12T18:40:29Z")
> [@Zyanthia](#): > > I’m really curious, because I thought people actually cared about people because, well, they are people. A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet. I guess I don’t want to be part of your friend or family circle. 🙂 This whole idea makes no sense to me. Part of being friends and at least the family you love, to me means, you do what you can to make sure they are well, more or less, you help them, you sacrifice for them (sometimes). Why would I want to save 10,000 strangers over people I love? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choose-between-100-family-friends-dying-or-10-000-strangers/588651.md?page=3)