I forget what the source was (either I read it as a response on a website or it was part of the discussion on the "Talking Dead" show), but here is how the math works out:
If Shane didn't shoot Otis, then it is possible that all three people will die, that is, Shane, Otis, and the boy Carl who would not get the supplies needed to save his life. If Otis shot Shane, it's very likely that the overweight guy carrying two duffel bags of medical supplies would not be able to outrun the zombies, so all three would still die. So, Shane's shooting Otis saves two lives. The cost-benefit analysis here minimizes losses since one can't win or break even. Here's another dilemma: Herschel, the owner of the farm that the survivors are on, has zombies in his barn which he is keeping alive. When asked why, he explains that there are just sick and it would be an atrocity to kill them. Herschel and his family appear to be very pro-life/anti-abortion, so the question arises: If you are pro-life, do you prevent the killing of zombies? -Mike Palij New York University [email protected] ------------------------ Original Message ------------------------------------- Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:35:40 -0800, Michael Britt wrote: Okay, okay, I know I've got zombies on the brain again, but here goes: In a recent episode of The Walking Dead there was a kind of Heinz dilemma. I don't think you need to have watched the show. It went like this: A boy is dying of a gunshot wound and he needs medication to survive. Two men get into a car and head off to get the medication. The medication is in area containing zombies. They find the medication and are running back to the car, but zombies are in pursuit and closing in on them. It doesn't look like they'll make it to the car in time. Do you: a) shoot the guy who is with you in the leg, take the medication from him and let the zombies attack him while you make it to the car, or b) keep running and hope you both make it to the car. The character in the episode did letter a. It was a powerful episode which revealed a lot about the character of the guy who shot the other guy in the leg. It was a difficult decision, but he feels that it's about survival. Still, it made you wonder what you would do if you were in a similar circumstance. Although I suppose it's unlikely you would ever be pursued by zombies... --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=14333 or send a blank email to leave-14333-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
