# Would you join a Men in Black style organization? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 7, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509 "2015-05-07T19:03:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/21 "2015-05-07T20:43:26Z")
I’m willing to join, but not as an agent. Do they need an accountant? Of course they do. Everyone needs accountants. Sign me up. ---
**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 7, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/22 "2015-05-07T20:56:28Z")
It’s disturbing how many people would eagerly accept this offer. “Hi, I represent a secret organization that nobody, including the government, is aware of. Don’t worry, I assure you we’re nice people, although admittedly I offer no proof of that. But you won’t have to deal with issues like that at your level. All we ask of people like you is that you trust us and obey orders blindly.” “Heck, yes, sign me up.” “Great. Hail Hydra!” “Hail Hy- Wait, what?” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/23 "2015-05-07T21:17:56Z")
Agent N reporting for duty. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s disturbing how many people would eagerly accept this offer. Well, look at it this way: either they’re a benevolent shadowy cabal running around managing aliens without government oversight, in which case you’d be a fool not to join; or, they’re an evil shadowy cabal running around managing aliens without government oversight, in which case you’d be a fool not to join _now that you know they exist_ (and they know you know.) ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/24 "2015-05-07T21:22:16Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Don’t make me fire the lemon meringue pie cannon at you. Do your worst you swine, I’ll never talk. > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > The ethical problem is with DOING the neuralizing, not with BEING NEURALIZED. Aaaahhhhh…OK…well I’m still not seeing the problem. Actually to be serious, I’ve been thinking about this one, as much fun as it would be I’m not entirely sure I could get on board with an organisation that is trying to hide the existence of aliens from the general public, even if they truly believe its for a good reason. Still I could join up for a while to see if they have a point from the inside out, and if I still disagree they could neuralise me so I’d forget all about them, and the aliens. > [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I’d wonder first where are the checks and balances on an organization where persons could for say, go in, rob a bank (or harm someone), then use their toy to erase any memories. Probably the other Guys and Girls in Grey. > [@muldoonthief](#): > > “I’ve just been down the gullet of an interstellar cockroach kid. That’s one of a hundred memories I do not want.” > > Plus, I’m not the best of the best of the best! > > No thanks. From the MiB movies I never got the impression that they were the best of the best of the best, more just people who could handle the general weirdness that apparently comes from dealing with aliens. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s disturbing how many people would eagerly accept this offer. > > “Hi, I represent a secret organization that nobody, including the government, is aware of. Don’t worry, I assure you we’re nice people, although admittedly I offer no proof of that. But you won’t have to deal with issues like that at your level. All we ask of people like you is that you trust us and obey orders blindly.” > “Heck, yes, sign me up.” > “Great. Hail Hydra!” > “Hail Hy- Wait, what?” As Tripolar says, you aren’t likely to get a better, or at least more interesting, offer in your lifetime. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/25 "2015-05-07T21:31:35Z")
> [@](#): > > I am Grey. I stand between the candle and the star. We are Grey. We stand between the darkness and the light. Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/26 "2015-05-07T21:39:26Z")
Do I get paid to shoot people? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/27 "2015-05-07T21:46:12Z")
I couldn’t afford to pay them much, but HELL, YEAH! Can I be “Q”? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/28 "2015-05-07T21:52:57Z")
Heck yes I’d join. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/29 "2015-05-07T21:55:42Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s disturbing how many people would eagerly accept this offer. > > “Hi, I represent a secret organization that nobody, including the government, is aware of. Don’t worry, I assure you we’re nice people, although admittedly I offer no proof of that. But you won’t have to deal with issues like that at your level. All we ask of people like you is that you trust us and obey orders blindly.” > “Heck, yes, sign me up.” > “Great. Hail Hydra!” > “Hail Hy- Wait, what?” Power corrupts, and people think it fun. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/30 "2015-05-07T22:15:45Z")
It depends on where you put the quotation marks in the thread title. If I was offered membership in a “Men in Black style” organization, I’d probably decline, because I’m too shlumpy and stiff to carry off that sort of look successfully. ---
**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 7, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/31 "2015-05-07T22:35:23Z")
As far as I know, I’m already employed by them, but in a lower tier of security access that requires me to be neuralized at the end of every shift. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/32 "2015-05-07T22:44:52Z")
As long as I don’t have to abandon my family and the pay is decent, I’m in. Has to be more interesting than law. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/33 "2015-05-07T22:48:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > As far as I know, I’m already employed by them, but in a lower tier of security access that requires me to be neuralized at the end of every shift. How are you remembering that? :dubious: 😉 ---
**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 7, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/34 "2015-05-07T23:06:43Z")
I’m not, obviously. But since I have no proof this isn’t the case, I said _“As far as I know.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/35 "2015-05-07T23:27:58Z")
If I can have a lemon meringue pie cannon as my weapon, I’m in. Hell, I’m in even if I can’t have a lemon meringue pie cannon. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/36 "2015-05-08T02:07:00Z")
Count me in! I’ve always had serious doubts about Dennis Rodman. ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/37 "2015-05-08T02:42:21Z")
A possible deal-breaker for me would be the inability to tell anyone what I do for a living. I’d be constantly lying to my friends and family about a big part of my life. It’s for the good of the planet, but I’m not sure if I, personally, would be able to deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/38 "2015-05-08T03:02:16Z")
> [@Yumblie](#): > > A possible deal-breaker for me would be the inability to tell anyone what I do for a living. I’d be constantly lying to my friends and family about a big part of my life. It’s for the good of the planet, but I’m not sure if I, personally, would be able to deal with it. Who says you have to lie? Just say, “I’ve signed a confidentiality agreement.” ---
**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 8, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/39 "2015-05-08T03:09:22Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Who says you have to lie? Just say, “I’ve signed a confidentiality agreement.” Yabbut then you have to actually go to your new employers and ask them to whip one up for you to sign. If you’re gonna be such an administrative PITA your first week, you’ll probably find yourself as giant-cockroach chow before you finish out your second. ---
**Author:** ![fridolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85f322/32.png) [@fridolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fridolph)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2015, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509/40 "2015-05-08T03:19:33Z")
If non- American were also allow to join then, I would. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-join-a-men-in-black-style-organization/719509.md?page=3)