NationStates Jolt Archive

A man has proven to you that he is quite honest; he also proves that he is possessed of considerable supernatural ability. After having a couple of drinks with him, he leans over and speaks to you: "Are you happy with your life? Let me give you an offer," he pulls a coin out of his pocket, then continues: "I could flip this coin: heads, you gain power beyond your wildest dreams, and become ruler of the greatest empire the world has ever seen. Tails, you lose everything, and are destined to be frustratingly unable to attain a job, or are fired soon after you do attain it, and in the end, you can never hold much money again; you become a vagrant, some pismire whom everyone steps upon, as you wheel your stopping cart about, wearing filthy clothes."

***

He stares at you: "Well, do you want to take the chance, or shall we part ways?"

No. My life is fine the way it is, thank you. :)

we'll part ways.

i dont want either option.

Why would I take a bet when there's no good result?

To hell with your coin-toss, TwoFace. :p

If he seriously had incredible supernatural powers I'd use my incredible natural powers of persuasion to convince him to just go ahead and give me the empire.

Why would I take a bet when there's no good result?

Good is relative.

Good is relative.

Yes. And, sometimes, the "relative" part of it is the speed at which the fact you made a very bad decision hits you one day.

Nope. I won´t submit to it. I make my own destiny!

I'd tell him that both results are ultimately beneficial, but only in the short term. One is a chance to change the world, the other is a chance to change yourself.

Consequently, I'd ask him to let me try both, one after the other, in whichever order he chooses. If he refuses then I'll tell him off for his logical positivism, give him another coin and walk off.

Nope. I won´t submit to it. I make my own destiny!

If you could do that, then the coin would land of whatever side you wanted it to land on.

If you could do that, then the coin would land of whatever side you wanted it to land on.

But isn´t it possible that, no matter in which way the coin lands, that one can defy destiny? I think it´s possible to defy the odds, even if they´re against you.

I don't much like either option offered, so I'd pass, I think.

No thanks. I'll admit, unlike some in this thread, that the good option is really good and the bad option really bad. But in comparison to my current situation, I think I'd stand to lose more than I'd stand to gain.

But isn´t it possible that, no matter in which way the coin lands, that one can defy destiny? I think it´s possible to defy the odds, even if they´re against you.

Not if the odds are 1-0. Do not not confuse chance (possible) with fate (certain).

I think so. The good option is good, and while the bad option sucks, it represents a rejection of responsibility.

I'd tell him that both results are ultimately beneficial, but only in the short term. One is a chance to change the world, the other is a chance to change yourself.

Consequently, I'd ask him to let me try both, one after the other, in whichever order he chooses. If he refuses then I'll tell him off for his logical positivism, give him another coin and walk off.

I like this idea.

If it comes up tails, it isn't so bad. If I know that I am destined to never have a job, I'd never look for one, and therefore not having one wouldn't be frustrating. Instead, I could just go on a killing spree, because I know my life is fucked beyond repair anyway.
What I'd be really scared of is that it might come up heads, and then he'd pull some dick move about exactly what "empire" I get to rule. I don't want to be turned into the Ant King or Hitler as of Spring 1942.
So I'd probably say "yes," then steal the coin while it is falling through the air and run off. Whee, free money!

nah.

Killer Halitosis is a power beyond my wildest dream... yet I wouldn't want it. and ruling an Empire? why go for that headache...

I'd ask him to modify it. Power of my choosing without the Empire to rule and vagabond of his discription for 5 years then the curse of not holding on to money will be lifted.

then... maybe.

No, I don't want to rule a real Empire, and the second option really sucks.

Hmm, live the rest of my life supported by a vast network of peons working so I don't have to, or rule an empire.

Kick the guy in the nuts and steal his shiny coin!
Oooooooooooooh...
So...So shiiiiiiiineeeeeeey...

It's remarkable how many forum members opt for the coin instead of the possibilities it represents.

I can't decide which result would be worse.

To clarify my last post...whilst I would turn down the aforementioned offer, if said scenario could be modified so that victory would get me a talking pink robot chihuahua butler who can shoot lasers from its eyes, I'm in.

It's remarkable how many forum members opt for the coin instead of the possibilities it represents.

Well, assuming the power rests in the coin I could then sucker idiots into paying me for the chance to be an emperor. Personally if I wanted to be emperor I'd take Nortons' rout to the throne.

Seeing as how I'm in intoxicated, I could accept and get out of the contract if it fails. Ah, I love common law. :)

No. I refuse to allow chance to decide my destiny.

My life hasn't really amounted to much anyway, so what the hell.

Generally when drunk people rant about their 'majik coin' and 'misterious powahs' I laugh and wander off for another drink and a more inteligent conversation with a wall.

Generally when drunk people rant about their 'majik coin' and 'misterious powahs' I laugh and wander off for another drink and a more inteligent conversation with a wall.

*points and laughs* Proofreading is your friend.

*points and laughs* Proofreading is your friend.

I am excused from corect spelling and grammar by popular demand and dyslexia. You know that. Hell everyone probably knows that by now.

I am excused from corect spelling and grammar by popular demand and dyslexia. You know that. Hell everyone probably knows that by now.

We do... we just mock you anyway. :p

We do... we just mock you anyway. :p

*sighs*

Drunks and their majik coins.....

*wanders off*

We do... we just mock you anyway. :p

I didn't get the memo. :p

I didn't get the memo. :p

*releases new memo*


NSG MEMO
This is to be issued to all regular NSG posters for future reference -

_________________________________________________________

Belschaft has Dyslexia. Get over it.

*releases new memo*

MEMO: We're gonna mock Bel anyway. :D

I didn't get the memo. :p

Actually, no one did Kry. This is just Bel, trying to give himself importance.:D

Sounds like a heck of a lose-lose coin flip. Screw that.

While it is tempting, I personally believe it's a good thing not to have our wildest dreams come true. It keeps our feet on the ground and allows us to have something to aspire to. If you get everything you want, then there's no more reason to do anything because you have nothing to aspire to receive. Plus, things you often times want will kick you in the rear later... Goes back to the old adage, "Be careful what you wish for because it might just come true."

Actually, no one did Kry. This is just Bel, trying to give himself importance.:D

Are you implying that this is a classic case of attention whoring? It's fascinating to see such behaviour live in action!

Tails, you lose everything, and are destined to be frustratingly unable to attain a job, or are fired soon after you do attain it, and in the end, you can never hold much money again; you become a vagrant, some pismire whom everyone steps upon, as you wheel your stopping cart about, wearing filthy clothes.
Sort of like now, you mean?

A man has proven to you that he is quite honest; he also proves that he is possessed of considerable supernatural ability. After having a couple of drinks with him, he leans over and speaks to you: "Are you happy with your life? Let me give you an offer," he pulls a coin out of his pocket, then continues: "I could flip this coin: heads, you gain power beyond your wildest dreams, and become ruler of the greatest empire the world has ever seen. Tails, you lose everything, and are destined to be frustratingly unable to attain a job, or are fired soon after you do attain it, and in the end, you can never hold much money again; you become a vagrant, some pismire whom everyone steps upon, as you wheel your stopping cart about, wearing filthy clothes."

***

He stares at you: "Well, do you want to take the chance, or shall we part ways?"

Yes. Because even "tails" is probably better than being a public school teacher.

Also, I don't believe in destiny, so if it does come up tails, I'll just get a drill and sunglasses and pierce the heavens. Who the hell do you think I am!?

I'll make my own proposal to him. I'll flip a coin. Heads, he buys the drinks for the rest of the night, tails he uses his majik powaz to make us drinks from nothing. If I'm going out partying with some kind of wizard or whatever then I'm not paying.

I'd like to draw three cards from the Deck of Many Things please... I'm feelin' lucky!

6.7 billion bosses? Hell no!

Hell, why not?

kill the bastard, take his powers

somehow.

The coin's probably rigged. I don't trust him.

Fuck yeah I'd do it.

Ironicly, I have been making most of my major decisions lately by coin flip, heads, I do it, tails I don't.

kill the bastard, take his powers

somehow.

By eating his brain, obviously.

By eating his brain, obviously.

the usual wizard trick, got it *nods*

Ironicly, I have been making most of my major decisions lately by coin flip, heads, I do it, tails I don't.

I used to do that. but since I can flip a coin to make it heads or tails... it really defeats the purpose.

so now I pull out a random number of coins and count the heads.
Even (including 0) = yes
Odd = No.

NO. Because i will not be beholden to the chance of a coin toss.

A man has proven to you that he is quite honest; he also proves that he is possessed of considerable supernatural ability. After having a couple of drinks with him, he leans over and speaks to you: "Are you happy with your life? Let me give you an offer," he pulls a coin out of his pocket, then continues: "I could flip this coin: heads, you gain power beyond your wildest dreams, and become ruler of the greatest empire the world has ever seen. Tails, you lose everything, and are destined to be frustratingly unable to attain a job, or are fired soon after you do attain it, and in the end, you can never hold much money again; you become a vagrant, some pismire whom everyone steps upon, as you wheel your stopping cart about, wearing filthy clothes."

***

He stares at you: "Well, do you want to take the chance, or shall we part ways?"

"This is like asking to toss between being covered in mud, or being covered in manure...i'll pass, thankyouverymuch."

Actually, no one did Kry. This is just Bel, trying to give himself importance.:D

every time I read this line... (and it appears on top of the page so I read it quite often.)

I always think it says
"Actually, no one did Kry. This is just Bel, trying to give himself impotance.:D"

every time I read this line... (and it appears on top of the page so I read it quite often.)

I always think it says
"Actually, no one did Kry. This is just Bel, trying to give himself impotance.:D"

If Bel keeps this shenanigan up he might, indeed, end up impotent.:D

No.

Ironicly, I have been making most of my major decisions lately by coin flip, heads, I do it, tails I don't.

Harvey? Harvey Dent? Is that you?

Harvey? Harvey Dent? Is that you?

One moment...*flips coin* Yes, I am Harvey Dent.:wink:

Key words: after a couple of drinks
After a couple of drinks I could say I am the son of Ramu the frog and creator of Disneyland