# Ration answers to this proposition... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 1, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572 "2012-05-01T22:30:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/21 "2012-05-01T23:40:59Z")
My own preferred method – assuming they resume nuclear testing – is to strap them to the device out in the desert or Pyongyang or wherever they’re setting it off. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/22 "2012-05-02T00:04:43Z")
> [@Sheriru](#): > > How are we supposed to stop this world from becoming cruel? Anyone have ideas? The social contract is enforced through the voluntary consent of the bulk of the citizenry, not by draconian punishments. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/23 "2012-05-02T00:04:47Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Well, _one_ GQ answer is that shooting something into the Sun is a _lot_ more energy-intensive than, say, shooting them to Mars or Jupiter. And several orders of magnitude more energy-intensive and expensive that just shooing them in the head. > [@Sheriru](#): > > How are we supposed to stop this world from becoming cruel? Anyone have ideas? We aren’t. The world was a cruel place from the time life began, and it will be a cruel place long after you’re dead. Survival of the fittest. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/24 "2012-05-02T00:20:45Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > We aren’t. The world was a cruel place from the time life began, and it will be a cruel place long after you’re dead. Survival of the fittest. Nasty, brutish, and short. Those are my attorneys. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/25 "2012-05-02T00:20:56Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > So, failing the ability for civilization to actually, _physically_ shoot them into the sun, you’re \*completely \*out of ideas? We take that out of the equation and your whole proposal just falls apart like a house of cards? Why can’t I have my sharks with friggin’ lasers on their heads? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/26 "2012-05-02T00:24:19Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Why can’t I have my sharks with friggin’ lasers on their heads? That’d be cool if the lasers were _targeting_ lasers. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/27 "2012-05-02T00:26:59Z")
Uhhh…it would encourage scientists to develop faster, more powerful, and more efficient rockets? Because that’s about the only upside to this plan I can think of. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/28 "2012-05-02T00:32:38Z")
Who would be in charge of loading these people into their death rocket? What kind of person will it turn them into, being an executioner like that? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/29 "2012-05-02T00:38:28Z")
> [@Sheriru](#): > > How are we supposed to stop this world from becoming cruel? Anyone have ideas? I have to feel that if your plan to making the world a better place involves genocide that maybe it needs rethinking. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/30 "2012-05-02T01:02:00Z")
What if these acts of inhumanity (according to the OP) were justified? For instance, you speak of harming/abusing animals. Does that mean you don’t eat meat? You don’t use products tested on animals? What about human torture - does that include torture in the course of war? It’s commonly used, so should all of those people be shot in to the sun as well? Your idea is very flawed, in multiple way. Good try though. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/31 "2012-05-02T02:45:11Z")
> [@Sheriru](#): > > Yeah, but it would create filth to have piles of human bodies… burning them would cause pollution… maybe we could throw them into a volcano? But it’s really good filth! Fertilizer! Line 'em up out in the broccoli fields and shoot 'em.\* All while singing “The Circle of Life.” \*non-lead bullets, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/32 "2012-05-02T02:45:23Z")
> [@Sheriru](#): > > An inhuman act is something that we as humans know is wrong, Again, what part of “we as humans” gets to do the deciding? We’re not all going to agree. If no one else, the guy strapped to the rocket is going to object. How about the other objections I raised? No ideas there? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/33 "2012-05-02T03:30:55Z")
> [@Sheriru](#): > > An inhuman act is something that we as humans know is wrong We as humans know that capital punishment is wrong. Always and everywhere (even on the sun). So NOW you got a damn PARADOX on yer hands. Nice goin’…NOT! ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/34 "2012-05-02T03:42:26Z")
I think we’re supposed to be rationing our answers. How many does that allow us? ---
**Author:** ![Sheriru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Sheriru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sheriru)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/35 "2012-05-02T11:44:06Z")
I would just like scientific answers. I figured this little randomized proposition would have multiple flaws. I’m glad that you all are helping me discover these. Be aware that I would not actually shoot people at the sun… 😛 it’s common sense that doing such a thing would create chaos everywhere… I merely wanted clear and justified conclusions. Good thinking, people! ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/36 "2012-05-02T12:01:42Z")
Work with me here…What if, instead of rocketing them into the sun, we built specialized facilities where such people might be confined, under guard, until such time as our legal system determines they may be released? Think of it as a form of penitance. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/37 "2012-05-02T12:26:47Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I have to feel that if your plan to making the world a better place involves genocide that maybe it needs rethinking. Nitpick: _mass execution_, probably not genocide, but your point still stands. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/38 "2012-05-02T12:46:29Z")
Seems like the death sentence for anything the OP considers an “inhuman” act is a bit severe for my sense of justice. I’ll pass on electing the OP as supreme leader. Next. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/39 "2012-05-02T13:12:05Z")
> [@Sheriru](#): > > I would just like scientific answers. To what question? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572/40 "2012-05-02T13:38:45Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > A direct trajectory into the sun requires a lot of energy, but I’ve read of cases where unmanned probes took a very circuitous route to their destination. The Galileo probe flew by Venus and Earth, twice, on its way to Jupiter. Could we use a close flyby of another planet to redirect our inhuman scum onto a path that would intersect the sun? Yeah, you’d think a degrading orbit would be easy to set up. Am I wrong? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ration-answers-to-this-proposition/620572.md?page=3)