# The desert island problem **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [September 25, 2025, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370 "2025-09-25T02:41:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [September 25, 2025, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/1 "2025-09-25T02:41:28Z")
Scenario: You are going to be shipped to a desert island for five years. Plenty of food and drink, but you only get to bring one book, one CD or record, and one movie (maximum length three hours). The operative word here is _one_. One single bound book, no multi-volume sagas. One CD, no multi-CD collections. One movie. No tricks, no workarounds. Try your best to play straight, please. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/2 "2025-09-25T02:50:28Z")
For book, I’d bring the fattest medical-survival book I can get that will teach me first aid, medicine, how to take care of my needs, etc. Even with lots of food and water, I could get sick or injured. CD or record…..got to be some audio reading of a favorite book. Movie…..do documentaries count? Could I just gather a 3-hour video compilation of footage from all my favorite scenes and sights in the world, like favorite cities and forests? ---
**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:** [September 25, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/3 "2025-09-25T02:52:21Z")
No compiling. Just pick an available movie or documentary. Pick the recording too, please. So far you have actually named _nothing._ ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/4 "2025-09-25T02:55:19Z")
Okay, probably _I Just Wanna Hug You,_ the 2014 real-story movie about the Japanese taxi driver and his paralyzed-wheelchair girlfriend. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2025, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/5 "2025-09-25T03:01:03Z")
Book-_In Memory Yet Green_. The first half of Isaac Asimov’s autobiography. CD-_Dark Side Of The Moon_ by Pink Floyd. Movie-_Xanadu._ ---
**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:** [September 25, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/6 "2025-09-25T03:03:25Z")
That’s good. As far as the CD is concerned, if it is an audio book it has to fit on one CD. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/7 "2025-09-25T03:07:08Z")
I think this is more of a “pick your favorite pieces of entertainment that you could consume over and over” thread than a “how would you survive on a desert island if you had a limited opportunity to prepare” thread. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/8 "2025-09-25T03:10:49Z")
Movie - I have to pick something that ALSO has great music that works when I want to listen to something, and maximum entertainment and consolation value. I pick “Lord of the Rings” DVD. 2H58 minutes, just clears. CD - TECHNICALLY I would use the actual, physical CD I had for my prior car, and still have the copy of. It’s my MP3 CD that I burned filled with around 150 songs. That’s not a trick or a workaround, but an oversight. Instead, not fighting the hypothetical, my answer would chage by the day, but a high chance that it would be David Bowie’s Space Oddity (1969). As for the book, it’s a single physical book, but some of them are multivolume, and I’m not sure that’s also considered a “cheat”. So I have a hardcover copy of Julian May’s “Many-colored land” books, my Complete Poe (Edgar Allan), but again, if it’s breaking the _intent_, probably Robert Jordan’s “Eye of the World”, the first book of the Wheel of Time. It’s good, has a lot going on in the course of the novel, and I’d spend a lot of time trying to remember how each piece tied into later novels. Of course, if there are OTHER people on the island (not specified) I’d bring one of my all-in-one RPG books and do a lot of RP’ing with the others on the island to kill time. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/9 "2025-09-25T03:40:38Z")
_ **Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls: True Stories of Castaways and Other Survivors** _ a book documenting survival and castaway stories through History by Edward E. Leslie _ **Sing Along with Los Straitjackets** _ An album by Los Straitjackets featuring several guest vocalists _ **The Kids are Alright** _ (1979) - a movie compilation of performances by The Who. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2025, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/10 "2025-09-25T03:49:32Z")
Consider it specified. Just you. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/11 "2025-09-25T03:51:20Z")
Fair enough, the complete “Many Coloured Land” if multi-volume is allowed in a single binding, or “Eye of the World” if not. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/12 "2025-09-25T03:54:24Z")
Album: **Beethoven: Symphony No. 9** — Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic (1962). Stranded on an island, I’d be in need of frequent full-spectrum emotional fixes. From the stormy opening to the spine-tingling _“Ode to Joy”_, the 9th delivers on all cylinders. And Karajan’s 1962 take is as good as it gets. Movie: **The Wizard of Oz** Timeless magic that never gets old. Funny, strange, heart-warming, and with a built-in reminder that there’s _no place like home._ Book: **Moby-Dick** Adventure, obsession, philosophy, and whales the size of freight trains—enough layers, depth, and metaphors to keep me busy until a passing ship (or passing sperm whale) comes along. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2025, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/13 "2025-09-25T03:54:30Z")
As long as it wasn’t special-made just for you, as long as it is a single bound book, it is in. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/14 "2025-09-25T03:55:51Z")
Thank you very much, no I picked it up used as a book club edition. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/15 "2025-09-25T04:12:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Book-_In Memory Yet Green_. The first half of Isaac Asimov’s autobiography. > > CD-_Dark Side Of The Moon_ by Pink Floyd. > > Movie-_Xanadu._ Wow, interesting choices! I’m actually familiar with all three of these. I read _In Memory Yet Green_ decades ago in high school. It prompted me to write Asimov a fan letter, to which he replied via a typewritten signed postcard. Anyway, it’s a great book—I should read it again. _Dark Side of the Moon_ is a worthy CD music choice, IMHO. And my girlfriend insisted I watch _Xanadu_ with her a few months ago (assuming you’re talking about the 1980 Olivia Newton-John musical). Sorry, I thought this was a complete trainwreck, although it was sweet in places (despite the corniness) and had good music. I think my girlfriend saw it when she was younger and it evoked a lot of nostalgia for her—kind of like how I feel about the first _Highlander_ movie. My votes: **Book:** either _The Source_ by James Michener or _The Ancestor’s Tale_ by Richard Dawkins, depending on whether I felt like fiction or non-fiction. **Album** : _The Cars Greatest Hits_. **Movie** : _Apollo 13_. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/16 "2025-09-25T04:54:21Z")
Book: [The Golden Bough](https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Bough-Religion-Abridgement-Editions/dp/0199538824), abridged, by Sir James George Frasier. Plenty to read and think about, one volume. CD: Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar, [Passages](https://www.amazon.com/Passages-Shankar-Philip-Glass-Audio/dp/B00FZ0OERU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=AKV2251WW4RN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2wDlroYyMd9Au8wP4cqc6muiPO5vLVzefV6G8t2B05EdTBqGqHDWDMDQ560AxmwgXFnVxgQMHy-98nXnlUjd563JoMz2FSJTRMw_QhcxQ6SjvbdBJuS5EUTPG695WCcfKed9t0OaHGMluIERsmpiJQ.zNk3GiXLioGCFpGzdbWV_KujDq7fy3ZejLsf2QUj9t0&dib_tag=se&keywords=philip+glass+ravi+shankar&qid=1758775731&s=books&sprefix=philip+glass+ravi+shsnkar%252Cbooks%252C512&sr=1-1-catcorr). Interesting collaboration, lots of musical detail to think about, varied tempos. Movie: [Koyaanisqatsi](https://www.amazon.com/Koyaanisqatsi-Life-Balance-Philip-Glass/dp/B000068OCS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1MFA8X8XC231&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4NuJAnSii7K3V7ANVWbzuyOGVbBBx7Q0CxGIHFNRjFPkwzXwp-D2nI8j_soMDGy6JpVIeCEiHm-V2-R3MNpz1lPY9anm9AOhroxiOpIfsY1oAk3QnCusT5oDMKUnnk0JYdC_ku5t1h3wPhuYU_44SHf5KaFeaj_i9gMjFehs2jGJjnV9ZePdh2JEzJXNakteQ3g-meBEhRFsPDPLzcxNWQ.r_86-UQFPWJ4bzH30tEur3aaSKJEugyaMLRqmNXQbVg&dib_tag=se&keywords=koyaanisqatsi+dvd&qid=1758775933&sprefix=koyanni%252Caps%252C775&sr=8-1).No plot to get bored with, just musical and visual pleasure, lots of patterns. Though I’d rather have three books instead. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/17 "2025-09-25T05:18:31Z")
Book, War and Peace. (Always wanted to finish it).😊 kidding. Maybe a comparative amount of pages of Archie comics. Music. any Beatles, I’ll probably pick Abbey Road. Movie. I’m stumped here. I’m not good at rewatching in repeat any movie. So maybe 3 hours of Star Trek eps. I’m kinda shallow ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/18 "2025-09-25T06:01:13Z")
Book: ULYSSES by James Joyce Movie: Parasite (was going to chose Seven Samurai but that’s over 3hrs) Album: Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On” I haven’t consumed any of these (well, aside from knowing a track or two off the album) but I figure I’ll be absolutely sick of anything if it’s my only option for five years. So I might as well pick a top rated example from each that’s new to me and save my personal favorites to enjoy in 2030 when I get home rather than forever ruin them. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/19 "2025-09-25T06:40:50Z")
> **[Desert Island Discs](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Island_Discs)** > > Desert Island Discs is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4. It was first broadcast on the BBC Forces Programme on 29 January 1942. > Each week a guest, called a "castaway" during the programme, is asked to choose eight audio recordings (usually, but not always, music), a book and a luxury item that they would like to take if they were to be cast away on a desert island, whilst discussing their life and the reasons for their choices. It was devised and originally presented by Roy Plomley.... ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370/20 "2025-09-25T07:15:45Z")
Do we get a functioning DVD/Blu Ray player and a CD player, with power, or is this some kind of cruel joke? 😆 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desert-island-problem/1023370.md?page=2)