3 million dollars USD vs Pandas

[Great Nepal]

Yes, please. I'll be 3 million dollar richer and wildlife funding might go towards animal that actually needs the protection rather than the cute, cuddly ones, I mean probably not since we'll just find another cute animal to fund but still.


An animal that needs to be coaxed into fucking isn't really an animal worth 3 million.

Well, aren't you a man of wealth? I suppose you're the type of person that enjoys seeing cats die because they are "too cute?"

When we're spending millions of dollar of public money trying to save cats instead of more endangered, and actually necessary species perhaps we can have that discussion.

Clearly, the pandas.

A way I like to think about these sorts of issues is: If everyone faced with this choice made the same decision as you, what would you decide? It's a generally good solution to prisoner's dilema/tragedy of the commons type questions.

Of course, pandas can only be removed from existence once. But if everyone were choosing between 3 million dollars (in real value, no inflation), along with the amount of public harm associated with removal of pandas per person, or keeping things as is, I'd definitely prefer the status quo.

What is the public harm in extinction of evolutionary dead end species?

[The Huskar Social Union]

Nah, dont really want to cause the extinction of a species so no thanks.

[Minoa]

I am not in a position to accept money in that way.

[Dumb Ideologies]

It depends. Is this an abstract "no personal consequences" version? Then absolutely yes.

But it there's potential for my involvement and personal information to get into the hands of the crazier side of the animal rights mob, lol no. There's not much good in having money if you're liable to get firebombed or have to have a team of bodyguards surrounding you at all times to avoid getting shanked in the streets by unwashed black-clad loons.

[Infected Mushroom]

It depends. Is this an abstract "no personal consequences" version? Then absolutely yes.

But it there's potential for my involvement and personal information to get into the hands of the crazier side of the animal rights mob, lol no. There's not much good in having money if you're liable to get firebombed or have to have a team of bodyguards surrounding you at all times to avoid getting shanked in the streets by unwashed black-clad loons.

there are no personal consequences

no one will investigate how you got the 3 million dollars; no one will know how you got them and no one will care

it just depends on your own personal morality and priorities, some people may not be able to sleep at night quite the same after... others will be just fine

[Infected Mushroom]

Clearly, the pandas.

A way I like to think about these sorts of issues is: If everyone faced with this choice made the same decision as you, what would you decide? It's a generally good solution to prisoner's dilema/tragedy of the commons type questions.

Of course, pandas can only be removed from existence once. But if everyone were choosing between 3 million dollars (in real value, no inflation), along with the amount of public harm associated with removal of pandas per person, or keeping things as is, I'd definitely prefer the status quo.

but why though?

the deal is only being offered to you, not to everyone on the planet and as you've already said, pandas can only be extinct once

so why do you care what others in your shoes would choose or some other hypothetical where every was offered a variation of the same choice? Why view things through this lens?

[Thermodolia]

Depends. If the pandas make more money then no, if they don't well I guess I just got $3 million. Though I'm pretty sure that a few pandas make way more than $3 million

[Ifreann]

It depends. Is this an abstract "no personal consequences" version? Then absolutely yes.

But it there's potential for my involvement and personal information to get into the hands of the crazier side of the animal rights mob, lol no. There's not much good in having money if you're liable to get firebombed or have to have a team of bodyguards surrounding you at all times to avoid getting shanked in the streets by unwashed black-clad loons.

You've already been banned from China for this insufficiently pro-panda stance.

[Dumb Ideologies]

It depends. Is this an abstract "no personal consequences" version? Then absolutely yes.

But it there's potential for my involvement and personal information to get into the hands of the crazier side of the animal rights mob, lol no. There's not much good in having money if you're liable to get firebombed or have to have a team of bodyguards surrounding you at all times to avoid getting shanked in the streets by unwashed black-clad loons.

You've already been banned from China for this insufficiently pro-panda stance.

All they've got there is sweatshops and cursed springs. If I need to go I'll just go to Japan and swim over.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

No. That Three Million is dirty money.

[Dumb Ideologies]

No. That Three Million is dirty money.

Then just launder it a bit.

[Ifreann]

You've already been banned from China for this insufficiently pro-panda stance.

All they've got there is sweatshops and cursed springs. If I need to go I'll just go to Japan and swim over.

If you went to Japan you'd spend the whole time shopping for cat ears and school uniforms.

[Chestaan]

I'd like to think I'd choose the pandas, but I definitely can't be sure.

[Ifreann]

I'd like to think I'd choose the pandas, but I definitely can't be sure.

If it makes you feel any better, you won'ty actually be consulted prior to giant pandas going extinct, and certainly won't be offered money.

[Nocturnalis]

So either 3 million in my bank account or the continued survival of a species that is basically on life support because they're too lazy to procreate? A species too lazy to procreate shouldn't continue to exist.

I'll take the money.

[Ethel mermania]

So either 3 million in my bank account or the continued survival of a species that is basically on life support because they're too lazy to procreate? A species too lazy to procreate shouldn't continue to exist.

I'll take the money.

You are discriminating against

Pandas Going Their Own Way.

You monster.

[Gyrenaica]

Only 3 mill? Nah

[Chestaan]

I'd like to think I'd choose the pandas, but I definitely can't be sure.

If it makes you feel any better, you won'ty actually be consulted prior to giant pandas going extinct, and certainly won't be offered money.

It doesn't :'(

[Dumb Ideologies]

All they've got there is sweatshops and cursed springs. If I need to go I'll just go to Japan and swim over.

If you went to Japan you'd spend the whole time shopping for cat ears and school uniforms.

I'm shocked and appalled...at how completely right you are

[Arvug]

i'm not sure if a species that can rarely reproduce on its own without some other animals assistance (Humans) is worth continued survival.

i'l take that money.

[Ifreann]

If you went to Japan you'd spend the whole time shopping for cat ears and school uniforms.

I'm shocked and appalled...at how completely right you are

It's taken many years of observation, but I've come to suspect that you may be a fan of Japanese anime. These are provisional findings, the full report is expected in 2039.

[Old Tyrannia]

I am not a Captain Planet villain, I do not wish to sacrifice an entire species for the sake of making myself rich.

[Diopolis]

A few questions first:
1) Would people know I'd caused the extinction of the pandas?
2) Do I get to eat them?
3) Would the money be properly laundered so I would be able to explain it wasn't drug money?
Edit:
I have some more questions:
4) Can I make another species go extinct and get another three million? I'd really like to say goodbye to cockroaches.
5) Can I open it up to public bidding and sell off the privilege?

[Galloism]

A few questions first:
1) Would people know I'd caused the extinction of the pandas?
2) Do I get to eat them?
3) Would the money be properly laundered so I would be able to explain it wasn't drug money?

1) A relevant question if you value your life.
2) Eating people is socially tricky, even if they know you killed pandas.
3) This is a really good one. It's the classic "asshole genie" gambit. You grant the billion dollars, but make it drug money so they go to jail and their life is now worse.

[Diopolis]

A few questions first:
1) Would people know I'd caused the extinction of the pandas?
2) Do I get to eat them?
3) Would the money be properly laundered so I would be able to explain it wasn't drug money?

1) A relevant question if you value your life.
2) Eating people is socially tricky, even if they know you killed pandas.
3) This is a really good one. It's the classic "asshole genie" gambit. You grant the billion dollars, but make it drug money so they go to jail and their life is now worse.

2) It's the pandas, not the witnesses I would want to eat.

It depends. Is this an abstract "no personal consequences" version? Then absolutely yes.

But it there's potential for my involvement and personal information to get into the hands of the crazier side of the animal rights mob, lol no. There's not much good in having money if you're liable to get firebombed or have to have a team of bodyguards surrounding you at all times to avoid getting shanked in the streets by unwashed black-clad loons.

there are no personal consequences

no one will investigate how you got the 3 million dollars; no one will know how you got them and no one will care

it just depends on your own personal morality and priorities, some people may not be able to sleep at night quite the same after... others will be just fine

Do I get to eat the pandas? I'd choose the money either way, but the decision might take longer if I don't. Slightly longer. Well, maybe just a few seconds. Or less.