Push the button to live or die...

[Emily's Cat]

This twitter thread has prompted a LOT of discussion, and a lot of it is interesting. But twitter doesn't really lend itself to more in depth discussion.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2049273335742435617

The framing is: Everyone on earth takes a private vote by pressing a red or blue button. If more than 50% of people press the blue button, everyone survives. If less than 50% of people press the blue button, only people who pressed the red button survive. Which button would you press? BE HONEST.

 

[PitPat]

Schrodinger's Button?

How long do I have before being forced to press it?

Probably blue, since most people associate red with danger.

 

[Emily's Cat]

I've been finding the discussions more interesting than the question, for many reasons.

I think there's an inherent bias in the question, based on the political association of the colors red and blue. Even if the person making the selection disregards that association, people seem to assume a political position on the part of those who select the opposing color. I think that bleeds into assumptions about the motivations of each side. I think the results may have been different if the colors had been Purple and Yellow, or Square and Circle, or some other non-loaded distinction.

The question also leaves a lot of uncertainty. People on either side make assumptions about the externalities involved, such as whether or not everyone has full agency and understanding.

I have hypotheses for ISF, but I'm really interested in what each person's reasoning is for their selection.

So... Discuss, have fun, and try to provide some grace to people who selected a different choice than you.

 

[Emily's Cat]

Also... I'm hoping to daisy chain a few polls, but I want to get enough responses on this one to make follow-ons worthwhile. I strongly suspect that relatively small variations to the question that set initial conditions more clearly could result in very different results.

 

[theprestige]

No offense, but where's the button that kills everyone who amplifies MrBeast?

Anyway, I'd press blue. If I'm right, my faith in humanity is vindicated. If I'm wrong, I don't have share hell with the Red Button People, who deserve each other.

 

[Emily's Cat]

Schrodinger's Button?

How long do I have before being forced to press it?

Probably blue, since most people associate red with danger.

The poll closes in 30 days. Pick whenever you want to.

I would prefer you choose sooner - before you start reading other people's responses. If there were a way to make the poll required before anyone could see responses, I'd have done that.

 

[Emily's Cat]

No offense, but where's the button that kills everyone who amplifies MrBeast?

Anyway, I'd press blue. If I'm right, my faith in humanity is vindicated. If I'm wrong, I don't have share hell with the Red Button People, who deserve each other.

There's a poll.

Is the poll not showing?

 

[Emily's Cat]

Okay. I might have to try this again...

 

[PitPat]

It's showing up for me.

 

[acbytesla]

This is like contemplating one's navel.

Eny, meany, miney, moe.

 

[theprestige]

There's a poll.

Is the poll not showing?

The poll is showing. The button I want most isn't in it.

---

The way I see it, Jimmy Donaldson is a sociopath whose business model is a toxic scourge on society. If it were up to me, anyone choosing to amplify him would be on the same end of a Kill Button as Jimmy himself.

 

[PitPat]

The poll is showing. The button I want most isn't in it.

So the completely useless Planet X option, or the equally useless Don't Know/Refused?

 

[acbytesla]

I'll take the red pill.

 

[Emily's Cat]

I don't know who Jimmy Donaldson is.

Anyway, I've asked that this thread be deleted, and I revised the title and question so it will hopefully be more clear. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Emily's Cat]

Please redirect to here:

Thread 'Everyone on earth has to press a red or blue button. If <50% pick blue, only the red survive. If >50% pick blue, everyone survives. Choose wisely.'

Apr 30, 2026

Everyone on earth has to press a red or blue button. If <50% pick blue, only the red survive. If >50% pick blue, everyone survives. Choose wisely.

This is from the dreaded twitter, but it spawned a surprising amount of discussion, and some really interesting assumptions made by each side. I'm very interested in what assumptions you're making that lead to your choice, and what assumptions you're making about the other side.

I have some speculation of my own, that I'll bring up once a fair number of people have voted. I'm hoping to daisy-chain some slightly altered polls as well...

• Emily's Cat
• Replies: 348
• Forum: Social Issues

 

[Thermal]

Just curious if there was some point in starting over on the other thread? Nothing seems any clearer? And the shorter title made me happy.

 

[Thermal]

...I think the results may have been different if the colors had been Purple and Yellow, or Square and Circle, or some other non-loaded distinction.

Wouldn't work. Yellows would be cowards, Squares would be unhip, etc. The only workable would be Green and Orange.

*Irish posters raise pitchforks*

So... Discuss, have fun, and try to provide some grace to people who selected a different choice than you.

New here, are you?