NationStates Jolt Archive

Title says it all. I for one, would give my life up for anyone in a moment. I figure that if I can save someone from death, then my life will have had a positive meaning to it.

Poll Coming.

No.

Depends on what I get afterwards. I want the Elysian Fields and no less.

No. I'd do what I can to save them, assuming i'm in the position to, but I wouldn't die for them.

No. I would die to protect family, but strangers will just have to find some other sucker.

Depends on the circumstances.

As much as I hate to say it, at this point in my life I would not.

Which said, it is the ultimate act of selflessness, and therefore the most perfect thing a person can do.

Not likely.

Absolutely not.

I don't know. I'm a strong, strong believer in choice, and because of that, i feel that my life should have more meaning than my death. At death, of course, i'm reasonably assured that i'm done making choices and making too much difference to the rest of the world.

If i felt it was the right thing to do, then i suppose i would.
I, however, have people who depend on me, and sometimes prolonged suffering is worse than death.

I don't think i have a complex about it, though i've thought extensively about it (as any severely depressed person would).

Title says it all. I for one, would give my life up for anyone in a moment. I figure that if I can save someone from death, then my life will have had a positive meaning to it. Depends. If I had time to think, I probably wouldn't.

Sure why not.

Yes.

Title says it all. I for one, would give my life up for anyone in a moment. I figure that if I can save someone from death, then my life will have had a positive meaning to it.

Poll Coming.

Aside from the fact that you should enjoy great positive meaning in your life simply by the lucky chance you're alive to appreciate it and therefore have great opportunities to do meaningful things, I would not give up my life simply to bring meaning to my life, as short as that meaning would inherently be due to the unfortunate side-effect that I would die.

I can fully imagine circumstances where I would die to save another but I think it would come from a natural instinct to help without taking in the idea that I might die.

Of course, if the world depended on my death to save it, tough question.

Would you die in place of a stranger?

Just one?

Hell no...what if they're a total asshole? Why keep them around? :p

Depends on what I get afterwards. I want the Elysian Fields and no less.

You don't hear that name brought up in conversation everyday. Would be nice if such a place existed. Give us something to shoot for. ;)

Nope

I would die for those who would die for me.

As that high regard for another can come only from honest truth coming from years of time with one antoher, which gives birth to camradary(sp?), and loyality.

A bond based on free will. Not even marriage is designed as that.

Die for?

i can think of only two; my brothers.

Rafe

If I got to go to Valhalla only.

If I got to go to Valhalla only.Don't you dare usurp my spot if you die for me.

Don't you dare usurp my spot if you die for me.Well considering only 452,000 people can go there, and since only Norse can go there, you have to die in battle, so I am pretty sure that I have better chances then you.;)

I think it really depends on the situation. If say I was standing right next to them and we were about to be hit by a car, my first impulse would be to push them out of the way, before I was to worry about my self. Now, if I was from a distance and couldn't help them immediately, I doubt I'd give up my life.

Just to say: I would prefer it if I died for a certain person.

Because it had such an effect on me ...

Nately: All I know is it's better to die on your feet
than to live on your knees.

Old Man: You have it backwards.
It's better to live on your feet
than to die on your knees. I know.

Nately: How do you know?
Old Man: Because I am 104 years old.

Old Man: How old are you?

Nately: I'll be 20 in January.

Old Man: If you live.

If it were a split-second decision, if someone turned to me and said, "Die for them!" {not that they would, of course, that'd be weird}, I would. If being a Christian should mean ANYthing, that's it.

But if some evil Saw IV genius gave me a few hours to think about it, I don't know that I'd be able to through with it. It's hard for anyone to be gutsy, principled, and self-sacrificial when one's life is at stake. Would I have the nerve...? hmm.

PS: great topic.

No. Whyever would I do that for a complete stranger?

A person's life is too dear to give away so thoughtlessly. It is a stranger, so you wouldn't know if your death would be at least meaningful. I mean, it could be hitler you've just saved.

Here's a famous fable, in where the protagonist's aim is not giving his life, but it's taking a risk:

On the bank of a deep and wide river a fox came across a deadly snake. When the fox saw the snake, he cried out and tried to run away. The snake called out, "Please don't run away Mr. Fox, I need your help so desperately.. please come back."

The fox, which had hidden himself in the tall grass said, "I fear that I do not trust you Mr. Snake. If I get too close you will bite me and your poison will kill me. What could you want from me?"

The snake called back out, " My child is very sick. I have the medicine that will make her all better, but the bridge washed out and I cannot take the medicine to her. She is across the river and I cannot get there. Could you please carry me on your back across the river?"

The fox who was quite clever said, " How do I know that you will not bite me as we cross the river, or before that?"

The snake said, "My daughter will die if I do not get the medicine to her. I promise that I will not bite you. And if I bit you as we were crossing..I would drown as well."

The fox said, "Okay, I believe you." The fox crawled from his hiding spot and the snake crawled on his back. The fox began crossing the river with the snake on his back.

When they were halfway across, the snake bit the fox.

"You broke your promise to me! You promised that you would not bite me, and now I will die. What I cannot understand is that you will drown with me, and your poor daughter will never get her medicine. She will die too. WHY did you do this? I meant you no harm and I wanted to help you and your daughter. WHY?" the fox asked.

The snake replied, " I cannot help what I did..I am a snake."

The question is kinda vague.

I'm not layin' down my mortal coil for someone who could be a child molester or mass murderer unless saving his ass means saving others.

Besides, anyone can speculate -- what happens when and if that choice actually presents itself is something altogether different...and likely scary as hell.

A person's life is too dear to give away so thoughtlessly. It is a stranger, so you wouldn't know if your death would be at least meaningful. I mean, it could be hitler you've just saved.

Here's a famous fable, in where the protagonist's aim is not giving his life, but it's taking a risk:

On the bank of a deep and wide river a fox came across a deadly snake. When the fox saw the snake, he cried out and tried to run away. The snake called out, "Please don't run away Mr. Fox, I need your help so desperately.. please come back."

The fox, which had hidden himself in the tall grass said, "I fear that I do not trust you Mr. Snake. If I get too close you will bite me and your poison will kill me. What could you want from me?"

The snake called back out, " My child is very sick. I have the medicine that will make her all better, but the bridge washed out and I cannot take the medicine to her. She is across the river and I cannot get there. Could you please carry me on your back across the river?"

The fox who was quite clever said, " How do I know that you will not bite me as we cross the river, or before that?"

The snake said, "My daughter will die if I do not get the medicine to her. I promise that I will not bite you. And if I bit you as we were crossing..I would drown as well."

The fox said, "Okay, I believe you." The fox crawled from his hiding spot and the snake crawled on his back. The fox began crossing the river with the snake on his back.

When they were halfway across, the snake bit the fox.

"You broke your promise to me! You promised that you would not bite me, and now I will die. What I cannot understand is that you will drown with me, and your poor daughter will never get her medicine. She will die too. WHY did you do this? I meant you no harm and I wanted to help you and your daughter. WHY?" the fox asked.

The snake replied, " I cannot help what I did..I am a snake."

"I cannot help it; it is in my nature."

Just one?

Hell no...what if they're a total asshole? Why keep them around? :p

It would be ironic if the person you were going to save would've died in a way worthy of a Darwin award :D

To die for one random stranger? Hell no. I don't believe in any death cults so the idea of martyrdom doesn't appeal to me much. Maybe for a group of strangers... if I would still have a small chance to survive.

Oh, and since this is my first post: :gundge:

No. I won't sacrifice my life for a complete stranger.

However, I will risk my life to try to save a complete stranger's life.

What I mean by this is that if there is a reasonable chance that by risking my life, we can both live, then I will take that chance even if there is a chance of dying in the attempt.

I once put myself at risk for a stranger, but if I had died, it would have been impulsive recklessness, not altruism. I wouldn't sacrifice myself on purpose.

risk maybe, give probably not...

No. Why the hell would you give up your own life to save a complete stranger?

No. Why the hell would you give up your own life to save a complete stranger?

No. Whyever would I do that for a complete stranger?

Exactly. What in on Earth could you possibly gain from it? It's not like I've lived the most sinless life so I want this to last as long as possible. If I actually hadn't ever commited a sin, even a small one, I might.

Thank God though, that there are people who would die for me, a complete stranger.

Exactly. What in on Earth could you possibly gain from it? It's not like I've lived the most sinless life so I want this to last as long as possible. If I actually hadn't ever commited a sin, even a small one, I might.

Thank God though, that there are people who would die for me, a complete stranger.

Or better yet thank God though, that there are people who would lie for me, a complete stranger...

Nature tends to kick in with a will to live when giving up our lives, loved ones and such. So unless you are really depressed, in which case you should seek help, or very old or going to die soon, you would likely not give your life for a complete stranger..

Title says it all. I for one, would give my life up for anyone in a moment. I figure that if I can save someone from death, then my life will have had a positive meaning to it.

Poll Coming.

Could you not save more lives by making an effort without forfeiting your own life for a single soul.

Friends, yes.... I mean, if you saw some random guy about to shoot one of your friends, how much would you think before trying to save them?

But more importantly... how would you feel if you didn't do everything you could to save them?



Strangers are a different matter really.... It's a gamble... Will they use the life that you gave them for best? With someone you know, you've got more of an idea... but still, after soemone dies for you.... would you feel obliged to use your life well?

Big bunch of heroes you people are.

as soon as I read the question, the first thing I thought about is would I push a child out of the way of on coming traffic, and sacrifice my life in return.

I would, in the same breath if it is an adult.......I wouldn't so I guess I am mixed on the question or mostly I think an adult shouldn't be in front of on coming traffic........the idiot

It would be ironic if the person you were going to save would've died in a way worthy of a Darwin award :D

To die for one random stranger? Hell no. I don't believe in any death cults so the idea of martyrdom doesn't appeal to me much. Maybe for a group of strangers... if I would still have a small chance to survive.

Oh, and since this is my first post: :gundge:

Ooh, a lurker!

Quick, honey, the camera! :D

Also, appropriate use of gundge smiley. :D

Yeah, I would.

my life already has meaning to it. I don't need to give up my life for it to "mean something".

certain Death probably not

Risk Death Yes if I thought there was a possibility of saving him and me yup.

certain Death probably not

Risk Death Yes if I thought there was a possibility of saving him and me yup.

I approve this answer.

I approve this answer.

YAY :)

I just know myself and know that my brain will not be able to overide my survival instinct if it was a one on one trade

Though I may add a possible amendmum to this if it was a child I probably would do it anyways

YAY :)

I just know myself and know that my brain will not be able to overide my survival instinct if it was a one on one trade

Though I may add a possible amendmum to this if it was a child I probably would do it anyways

I would probably go much further to save a child than I would a grown up, much more in the direction of certain death...

I have been able to save quite a few lives without putting myself in danger though so I am trying to figure out what type of situation this would be.

I would probably go much further to save a child than I would a grown up, much more in the direction of certain death...

I have been able to save quite a few lives without putting myself in danger though so I am trying to figure out what type of situation this would be.

Well if you were trapped on an asteroid and someone had to stay behind to push the button ... and this guy drew the short straw but you pull out his air tube to make sure that he has to leave the astroid and you push the button

Yeah thats it!

Title says it all. I for one, would give my life up for anyone in a moment. I figure that if I can save someone from death, then my life will have had a positive meaning to it.

Poll Coming.

If that is the only method of achieving positive meaning in your life, you're not using your brain.

There are more means of achieving positive meaning than dying.

Well if you were trapped on an asteroid and someone had to stay behind to push the button ... and this guy drew the short straw but you pull out his air tube to make sure that he has to leave the astroid and you push the button

Yeah thats it!

but that's a lot of people, I would totally do that......assuming the asteroid was going to hit Earth.....

if not, prolly not, he drew the short straw, let him deal with it

[/selfish bitch]

With my being so young, merely out of childhood myself, I highly doubt it. Though, I admit, there are certain conditions on which I would sacrifice myself to certain death.

I suppose, because of my vanity, that there is a greater change of knowingly killing myself for a stranger if I would gain something from it, even in death. Put my name down in history and I might give the nod of approval. If there was a situation where sacrificing myself was expected of me, then I might proceed on with it.

Unknowingly killing oneself for a stranger, most likely, happens nearly every day, and I expect that there is purely instinct involved in all of those cases. One's first instinct when a car is thundering towards them is to get out of the way. Though, in my own case, I expect that the only reason I would die with a car coming at me is because someone else was in my way, thus leading me to unknowingly die for a stranger.

Only if she's hot.

Well if you were trapped on an asteroid and someone had to stay behind to push the button ... and this guy drew the short straw but you pull out his air tube to make sure that he has to leave the astroid and you push the button

Yeah thats it!

Didn't that happen on Armegeddon? :confused:

Didn't that happen on Armegeddon? :confused:

Yup :) bingo

Only if she's hot.

That doesn't make sense. If you're dead, how are you going to take advantage of her hotness?

That doesn't make sense. If you're dead, how are you going to take advantage of her hotness?

Maybe she will flash him on the way out?

Well if you were trapped on an asteroid and someone had to stay behind to push the button ... and this guy drew the short straw but you pull out his air tube to make sure that he has to leave the astroid and you push the button

Yeah thats it!

Meh..that guy did it for his daughter.

Anyways, I would not die for a stranger.

That doesn't make sense. If you're dead, how are you going to take advantage of her hotness?If I have to die for someone I don't know, she beter be hot. We could always meet in heaven later on.:p

Or would you die for an ugly bloke?;)

Maybe she will flash him on the way out?

Well, if he was gay, and he was dying for a hot guy, the hot guy could engage in necrophilia... *ducks and runs*

Well, if he was gay, and he was dying for a hot guy, the hot guy could engage in necrophilia... *ducks and runs**giggles*:p

Am I the only one getting a Jigsaw vibe from this thread?

The first thing I heard in my head after reading the title was "Do you want to play a game?"

I would risk my life for a stranger but not sacrifice it.

I figure the chances are that I will do more with my life than the stranger would as the majority of people are apathetic and uneducated. I would hate to save someone only to have him go on and be a neocon or something. If I am the one alive, I know I wont.

In theory, I probably wouldn't even risk my life, but when I am in the situation (which has happened) I am the guy who jumps in and tries to save people *rolls eyes*.

If I were one of these quite rare people ready to really consciously risk and possibly sacrifice their lives for strangers, I would be working in some rescue or emergency service already.

I'd lay down my life a thousand times over for my kitty-cat, but a stranger?

Ha! That's rediculous! Some people are so wierd, you know?

I'd lay down my life a thousand times over for my kitty-cat, but a stranger?

Ha! That's rediculous! Some people are so wierd, you know?

We need you to videotape the futile attempt at a rescue.

We need you to videotape the futile attempt at a rescue.

What rescue?

no i would not die in place of a stranger. my life is worth as much as his is eh?

as others have said, i might end up dying while trying to save the life of a stranger but that doesnt seem to be the question.

I don't think I'd do anything actively to die in the place of a stranger, but if it was a case of giving up a place in a lifeboat/ first dibs on a parachute etc. then I reckon pride would prevent me from not giving them up.

No, it goes against nature. People are meant to survive, for as long as possible. Me sacrificing myself would be like slapping evolution in the face.

No, it goes against nature. People are meant to survive, for as long as possible. Me sacrificing myself would be like slapping evolution in the face.

So, if you saw a sister in Islam about to be killed, you wouldn't at least try to take her place?

Probably not for a stranger. I would try to help in any way I could, however. Now, I would gladly die for friends and family, well, maybe not gladly, but I would die for them.

So, if you saw a sister in Islam about to be killed, you wouldn't at least try to take her place?

thats different.

thats different.

Why? Because she is of your faith?

Why? Because she is of your faith?

yeah. I don't consider other Muslims truly "strangers"

If I was like, on my deathbed anyways then yes.

Otherwise, no. What makes their life worth more than mine?

i wouldn't. not any old stranger anyway.

No. I'd try and help if I saw someone in trouble, but I'd try not to die.