prejudging people

[ali_alic]

Interesting email today set this poser : It is time to elect a new world leader, the 3 candidates are - 1) Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologist. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day. 2) He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whisky every evening. 3) He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and never cheated on his wife. Which one would you honestly pick??

[dinsdale]

the first one, if your a world leader you are powerful enough to do whatever the **** you like!

[WaldoMcFroog]

Well, I know the identities of the people, but the experiment is bogus. One is expected to pick a particular person then be surprised/ appalled by whom they've picked. But since we don't know anything about the policies of the individual leaders, our 'choice' is inherantly flawed. If you knew the relevant details about what each of the three candidates did, you'd probably pick differently.

[MrsCheeks]

I am guessing that the first person is Franklin D Roosevelt, the second is Winston Churchill and the third one ... nice upstanding member of society ... is in fact ADOLF HITLER!!

[ali_alic]

Well done MrsCheeks - spot on!!

[saffstar]

I was going to answer, then read what Waldo had written & looked again - I realised that the last one was Hitler and guessed that one of the others was Churchill (didn't get Roosevelt). So, thanks Waldo for saving me from being the stupid one who likes Hitler!

[saffstar]

By the way ali - these are ace posts, I love this sort of thing!

[littleoldme]

Even if I didn't know who they were, I'd pick number 2. Number 3 is a vegetarian and Number 1 believes in astrology! :O)

[ali_alic]

Yup littleoldme, we scorpians don't believe in the horoscopes either!!

[WaldoMcFroog]

That's the point, though, Saffstar - if you had picked 3) on the basis of their moral character, it wouldn't indicate you were pro-Nazi, or that any one else who shared 3)s characteristics was either! But, if it said, "Oh, and also 3) is a genocidal maniac who invades other nations like it's going out of fashion", you would undoubtedly not chosen 3)!

[MrsCheeks]

I had htis same question posed to me last night donw the pub rofl hence I knew the answer lol. I rate this question a massive ********************* stars for its brilliance.

[jenstar]

I wouldn't elect any of them. A world leader is a very bad idea.

[saffstar]

I know that's the point Waldo, it's just that had I answered '3' I anticipate that I would've got a load of 'na na na na na! you love Hitler!' type childishness lol!

[secretspirit]

I think I must have had the same email as ali_alic, this is looking very familiar