# You're being executed: Fight or cooperate? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 11, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324 "2011-10-11T17:28:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/21 "2011-10-11T22:06:45Z")
This question reminds me of people who say that if they were in a war, they’d be heroes who valiantly died for their country. A small minority would, but not the vast majority. I haven’t seen many executions but the ones I saw were usually quiet affairs, at most the victim showed panic when he was being killed. I saw a guy getting his head cut off with a chainsaw and he made no attempt to protect his neck or resist. The guy next to him, who knew he was going to get beheaded right afterward, showed no resistance either. ---
**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:** [October 11, 2011, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/22 "2011-10-11T22:12:58Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > This question reminds me of people who say that if they were in a war, they’d be heroes who valiantly died for their country. A small minority would, but not the vast majority. If I were in a war I’d be a fricking coward who fought only because it was forced on me. It’s also cowardice that would impel me to fight my executioners. _I don’t want to die_, and I don’t want to make it easier for anybody trying to kill me. And, really, the worst that’s gonna happen as a result of me fighting against someone trying to drag me to the gas chamber is death. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/23 "2011-10-12T00:15:19Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I love you, **rachellogram** , but this is why you can never get an operations job with RhymerInc. After the conquest I will have to assign you to, I don’t know, overseeing the Musicals Division or something. You’ll still get a brigadier general’s pay, though. \<3 Musicals, sweet! Or I could teach yogic extremitypainting (like fingerpainting but way more therapeutic and messy\*). The pay’s the important part, really. \*and sexy ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/24 "2011-10-12T00:16:06Z")
> [@Tixenfleaz](#): > > I’d like to think that I’d put up a fight, but I would probably go docilely to my death just like most of the condemned do. > > Seriously, it’s a weird thing. From what I’ve read and seen, most people don’t seem to resist their executioners, even as a futile act of defiance. There’s a good reason for this, in modern US executions at least. If the prisoner goes quietly the guards will take every effort to make it happen with the minimum amount of pain possible. If he makes any attempt to ttack them, he WILL get a face full of pepper spray. There is 0% chance that an escape attempt will work, and they know it. Most choose the way with least pain. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/25 "2011-10-12T00:21:39Z")
If I thought I had any chance, I’d fight. But this is a scenario where the odds are unbeatable. So go for a moral victory. Walk out proudly and face death with a laugh (however much you’re crying like a little schoolgirl on the inside). You want to leave a lasting impression so people will look back and say _“Sure, Emperor Nemo killed billions. But you have to admit he was brave to the end.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/26 "2011-10-12T00:38:52Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Question: Do you march to the gallows with your head held high, or do you fight every inch of the way - kicking, biting, spitting and so on? You’re only making it worse for yourself! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/27 "2011-10-12T00:49:08Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You want to leave someone to tell the tale. You are Evile. Truly Evile. I wish I’d posted that… Oh, the OP. I’d fight tooth and nail, describing their birth certificates not matching up with their parent’s marriage licenses. ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/28 "2011-10-12T00:53:03Z")
> [@Bri2k](#): > > There’s no way I could argue with a quote from _Breaker Morant_. > > Bri2k Have to agree with this. Also as someone said above, “It’s a fair cop.” which even the breaker didn’t get. I done it and now I’m going to pay. No sense being a pain about it. But how many ever get as close as I did to having it all? ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/29 "2011-10-12T00:54:57Z")
> [@Imasquare](#): > > You’re only making it worse for yourself! Crucifixion’s a doddle. You could be stabbed! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/30 "2011-10-12T00:58:20Z")
I guess I could talk long enough for my dolphins to rescue me…But dammit, they don’t have legs! dammit. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/31 "2011-10-12T01:20:51Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > \<3 Musicals, sweet! Or I could teach yogic extremitypainting (like fingerpainting but way more therapeutic and messy\*). > > The pay’s the important part, really. > > \*and sexy You can’t seriously think I care what portfolio you take on for yourself. It’s just an excuse to keep you on payroll so I can summon you for amusing conversations from time to time without having to track you down. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > > You want to leave someone to tell the tale. > > You are Evile. Truly Evile. Um…yeah. So? 😕 Next you’ll be pointing out that **Elendil’s Heir** likes Tolkien. But that’s not being evil. It’s being practical. Supervillains have to _terrify_ their opponents into submission, and that means leaving a survivor or three. So you eliminate the aircraft carrier and the rest of its support group, allowing a small handful of survivors in a single lifeboat to make it back to base so they can authenticate the streaming video you arranged for the Oval Office to receive. Cuts down on fighting time significantly. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/32 "2011-10-12T01:32:54Z")
It’s a moot point anyway. My enemies will never take me alive. As they close in on my volcanic lair, I detonate my self-destruct system (nuclear naturally) and die in a fiery inferno. Or did I? Maybe I escaped at the last minute. My enemies will never be certain, will they? BWA-HA-HA-HAAA! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/33 "2011-10-12T01:58:03Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > So you eliminate the aircraft carrier and the rest of its support group, allowing a small handful of survivors in a single lifeboat to make it back to base so they can authenticate the streaming video you arranged for the Oval Office to receive. Cuts down on fighting time significantly. So first you were going to spare the destroyers, and now it’s a single life raft. I find you posts intersting, and wish to subscribe to your newsletter. BTW, the Hobbit raiding party claimed they couldn’t find Memphis. The mini-van was knee deep in Corky’s wrappers, Tennessee Walker bottles and receipts from “Beale Street Social Club”. Bastards. Er, are you in a False Sense of Security yet? ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/34 "2011-10-12T02:21:36Z")
I’ve actually thought spent quite a bit of time thinking about this. When I was in the military, if my bird went down and I got captured there was a non-zero chance of me getting my head chopped-off on camera and I’d try to go with as much dignity as possible. If, for some reason, my family watched it I wouldn’t want to make things even worse by crying or freaking out. I also wouldn’t want to give my captors the satisfaction of watching me panic. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/35 "2011-10-12T02:23:45Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > There’s a good reason for this, in modern US executions at least. If the prisoner goes quietly the guards will take every effort to make it happen with the minimum amount of pain possible. If he makes any attempt to ttack them, he WILL get a face full of pepper spray. There is 0% chance that an escape attempt will work, and they know it. Most choose the way with least pain. Screw it. I’m going to DIE. Maybe I can shake some pepper spray into their eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/36 "2011-10-12T02:26:34Z")
**Mr. Excellent** and \*\*Skald the Rhymer \*\* arguing over whether cyber-dolphins or ninja chimps make more reasonable minions in a _failed_ hypothetical attempt at world conquest. \ I remember why I keep coming back here. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/37 "2011-10-12T06:23:48Z")
I’d rather go down with some thug wheezing his last then let them have the satisfaction. If nothing else, I’d not use the toilet for as long as possible, so when they get me up to the killing room I let everything go as they walk me in. What do I care, it’s the last shit I give about them anyway. ---
**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:** [October 12, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/38 "2011-10-12T14:11:35Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > So first you were going to spare the destroyers, and now it’s a single life raft. I was never going to spare the destroyers. I was just going to destroy aircraft carrier first, to terrorize the crews, and then pick them off one at a time so as to give the escorts time to launch life rafts. Sheesh. > [@](#): > > I find you posts intersting, and wish to subscribe to your newsletter. > > BTW, the Hobbit raiding party claimed they couldn’t find Memphis. > The mini-van was knee deep in Corky’s wrappers, Tennessee Walker bottles and receipts from “Beale Street Social Club”. > > Bastards. > > Er, are you in a False Sense of Security yet? Who says I’m still in Memphis? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/39 "2011-10-12T16:35:59Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Who says I’m still in Memphis? The surveillance satel… I mean, gosh, how would I know? ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324/40 "2011-10-12T19:05:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But this is a scenario where the odds are unbeatable. The mentality is that the odds are never unbeatable. There is always hope, no matter what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-executed-fight-or-cooperate/599324.md?page=3)