Which life would you want more? (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

In the "best frontman" thread, I mentioned how Jimi Hendrix died at 27. Got me to thinking....

Which of the following two life scenarios would you want?

A) You are a shooting star. Be it a musician, an actor, an athlete, whatever. You are cut down before the age of 30, but you have achieved more fame than the average person could ever dream about. You are an immortal, and future generations won't stop talking about how great you were and what a significant impact you made in your short time on earth.

B) You live to be 80. No major health issues. You were a good person, were good to your family, were an upstanding citizen, never in trouble with the law.... but you never did anything noteworthy. When you die, you're just some guy in the obituaries, and nobody will remember you ever existed other than your family and a few close friends.

 

[eoMMan]

I don't care if people talk about me after I was dead. I'm dead. I wouldn't even know.

Give me option B, please.

 

[mr roboto]

B. Easily.

 

[Porkchop Sandwich]

I don't care if people talk about me after I was dead. I'm dead. I wouldn't even know.

Give me option B, please.

This

 

[Raider Nation]

Yeah, looks like this is going to be a boat race. Interesting.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Not even close. I don't ever want to die as long as I am healthy enough to move and sharp enough to enjoy basic entertainment (sports, movies, tv, books etc).

I really enjoy a simple life and look very forward to experiencing more things as the years go on.

 

[shadyridr]

I don't care if people talk about me after I was dead. I'm dead. I wouldn't even know.

Give me option B, please.

exactly

 

[gianmarco]

I think a better question is not so much about fame but about coming up with some worldwide contribution. Being the person to find the cure for cancer. Being the person that found a way to power our lives cheaply and without using up resources or causing pollution. Being the person that developed the first antibiotics or first vaccines.

I'd have a harder time answer that. Otherwise, give me B all day.

 

[Christo]

Which life would I want more? The one with more life of course.

 

[belljr]

poor and 80 vs rich and 30 may be a closer poll.

im halfway to accomplishing b

 

[mr roboto]

I think a better question is not so much about fame but about coming up with some worldwide contribution. Being the person to find the cure for cancer. Being the person that found a way to power our lives cheaply and without using up resources or causing pollution. Being the person that developed the first antibiotics or first vaccines.

I'd have a harder time answer that. Otherwise, give me B all day.

Agreed. I would take A if the accomplishment was more than simply entertainment.

 

[rockaction]

I think a better question is not so much about fame but about coming up with some worldwide contribution. Being the person to find the cure for cancer. Being the person that found a way to power our lives cheaply and without using up resources or causing pollution. Being the person that developed the first antibiotics or first vaccines.

I'd have a harder time answer that. Otherwise, give me B all day.

The altruistic angle is interesting. Hadn't thought of that.

 

[Angry Beavers]

My kneejerk was A - go accomplish something; make a difference; Becomes that much more obvious of a choice if you have the chance to have an influence on society as we know it - ie - cure cancer; discover time travel etc.

 

[Raider Nation]

Feel free to start a spinoff pole with the other scenario. Sounds interesting. It won't hurt my feelings.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

A

 

[Kenny Powers]

As long as my wife is hot, option B

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I think people are focusing too much on the "talking about you after you're dead" part. Imagine the amazing life experiences you would have as a Hendrix, Lennon, Morrison, etc. I kind of lean toward that. Of course, most of them also dealt with serious depression and other psychological issues, so there's that. I think if you take out that part, you can live way more life in 30 years of the first scenario than in the 80 of the second.

 

[kutta]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

 

[lod01]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

Those that answered A have serious mental problems. I'd guarantee that come age 29, knowing 1 year was left, they would be begging for the other life.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

Why are people thinking about their kids in the scenario? You do understand this is hypothetical right?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

Those that answered A have serious mental problems. I'd guarantee that come age 29, knowing 1 year was left, they would be begging for the other life.

 

[Michael Brown]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

Those that answered A have serious mental problems. I'd guarantee that come age 29, knowing 1 year was left, they would be begging for the other life.

I assume the question doesn't involve knowing your own mortality. Obviously as a living person, most would choose living to 80. I think the question has to be more of a post-mortem hypothetical. Would you rather be remembered by a few as a good man, or known by everyone for something amazing. I mean, either way you're gonna be dead at some point

 

[Doctor Detroit]

lod01>never have any children please, one of you is enough.

 

[FUBAR]

I live for my kids. B

But, if B involved not having kids but otherwise having a "good life", I'd take A. Jam all the experiences I'd want into an awesome decade.

 

[FUBAR]

would we have a mid-life crisis at 15?

 

[DSP]

Where is option C "any life but mine"?

 

[AAABatteries]

Pretty easy answer for me - I'm generally a happy person. I get enjoyment out of life - whehter it's work, play, family, friends or anything else. 50 years is a lot to give up just to be remembered after I'm not here.

One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard was to picture yourself at 80 (or essentially the end of your life) and picture what you would like your life to look like. Work back from there. I really spent a lot of time looking at this. At the end of it my decision was pretty ordinary. I wanted to be:

1. Living in reasonable health

2. Married with children and grandchildren; have a wonderful relationship with each of them

3. Have a home that I own where I can live comfortably with my wife and (hopefully) close to my kids/grandkids

That's the core of what I want - it seems pretty basic but I highlighted the difficult one. If I accomplish those things then I'll consider my life a success. There's a lot more I could add but the above would make me happy.

 

[Donsmith753]

Can you swap in worse looking women and die at 45?

 

[brun]

B - except I'd want another 20 years.

 

[E Street Brat]

A) You are a shooting star. Be it a musician, an actor, an athlete, whatever. You are cut down before the age of 30, but you have achieved more fame than the average person could ever dream about. You are an immortal, and future generations won't stop talking about how great you were and what a significant impact you made in your short time on earth.

So I have an awesome life and live forever like Lesat

I'll take A

 

[BlueDredSo]

Option A is extremely selfish. I've known too many people who have died young or had close loved ones die young and I'd never want my family and freinds to have to deal with that.

 

[kutta]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

Why are people thinking about their kids in the scenario? You do understand this is hypothetical right?

Yes. Why does that mean we can't think about our kids?

 

[MikeIke]

poor and 80 vs rich and 30 may be a closer poll.

im halfway to accomplishing b

I'm halfway to A

 

[17seconds]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

I was thinking of voting A because if you die before you have a family you have no idea what you are missing.

 

[Zow]

In which option do I get higher quality and quantity of tail? Does option B guarantee an awesome wife an kids?

 

[mr roboto]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

I was thinking of voting A because if you die before you have a family you have no idea what you are missing.

I had 2 kids by 27.

 

[17seconds]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

Why are people thinking about their kids in the scenario? You do understand this is hypothetical right?

Yes. Why does that mean we can't think about our kids?

See my answer above

Your kids have no bearing on A. They never existed and you have no idea what it's like to have a family in that scenario.

 

[Zow]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

I was thinking of voting A because if you die before you have a family you have no idea what you are missing.

Totally agree. Prior to meeting my wife I probably would have chosen A easily. My primary focus was on accomplishing as many things as possible. Now, it's pretty much solely on family.

 

[17seconds]

I suspect those answering A do not have kids. Either that or they don't like their kids very much.

I was thinking of voting A because if you die before you have a family you have no idea what you are missing.

I had 2 kids by 27.

scenario A doesn't have that

step outside of yourselves for a second guys, sheesh

 

[Dentist]

No desire for fame and fortune... no desire to be talked about after I'm gone or to make an impact on society in any way beyond fixing up a few people's grills.

Frankly I'm surprised and impressed in a way by anyone who makes the attempt to really "go for it' in their life... Like a Jimi Hendrix, Mark Zuckerberg, or Steve Jobs.... these guys all had the talent it would take to just slug out a great living without taking risks or pushing the limit.

But instead they created something.. music, websites, electronics and really hit the jackpot (plenty of dreamers never hit it or go broke).

But then what's strange is that they make all that money and achieve that fame and they then DON'T do what most people I know would do with multi-millions - buy a house in the Caribbean and never lift a finger again.... they keep at it... often until they die like Hendrix or Jobs.

I don't get it...

 

[mon]

Do another poll and only change these two things and see how the results change.

A) die at age 40

B) die at age 65

 

[17seconds]

Voted B

It was kind of close. Having an eventful life and a lot of choices/freedom is really appealing. But I wouldn't want to die before 30 and I don't care if I'm known forever.

 

[Dentist]

Voted B

It was kind of close. Having an eventful life and a lot of choices/freedom is really appealing. But I wouldn't want to die before 30 and I don't care if I'm known forever.

admittedly, depending how much stock you put into banging a wide variety of really hot chicks, partying to the hilt, inspiring people, helping people etc..

I mean look at like a younger athlete or hollywood star... tom brady, Leo DiCaprio, etc.. I mean those guys have banged hot chicks... loads of them, partied, traveled to places I'll likely never see, rubbed shoulders with the elite, probably helped a lot more people that I ever will through their charities, and have massive fan bases.

Not everyone can be Hugh Hefner and have that awesomeness last forever.

I see plenty of people that sure have a limited amount of Joy after age 60 due to health concerns.

now I'm not a father yet so I don't know the impact family will have on me... but I am leaning towards 30 years of a charmed life over 80 years of average... and I don't so much care about whether people remember me or not.... but being filthy rich for a decade would really give you some sweet life experiences.

 

[johnnycakes]

I'll settle for somewhere in between. Let me have my fun until mid-60's, then croak.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Voted B

It was kind of close. Having an eventful life and a lot of choices/freedom is really appealing. But I wouldn't want to die before 30 and I don't care if I'm known forever.

admittedly, depending how much stock you put into banging a wide variety of really hot chicks, partying to the hilt, inspiring people, helping people etc..

I mean look at like a younger athlete or hollywood star... tom brady, Leo DiCaprio, etc.. .

If Morrison is the comparison point at 27, DiCaprio would have been already dead for 12 years and Brady already dead for 9 years.

 

[rockaction]

Do another poll and only change these two things and see how the results change.

A) die at age 40

B) die at age 65

This would probably change my vote. Only if I was smart enough to remember my 30's, though, which I suspect for most of these guys would be a blur.

 

[Dentist]

Voted B

It was kind of close. Having an eventful life and a lot of choices/freedom is really appealing. But I wouldn't want to die before 30 and I don't care if I'm known forever.

admittedly, depending how much stock you put into banging a wide variety of really hot chicks, partying to the hilt, inspiring people, helping people etc..

I mean look at like a younger athlete or hollywood star... tom brady, Leo DiCaprio, etc.. .

If Morrison is the comparison point at 27, DiCaprio would have been already dead for 12 years and Brady already dead for 9 years.

you have a good point.

27-30 would be pretty dang young... I mean those were great years for me both personally, professional, and in my tail getting career... and i'm not rock star.

up it to 36-40 and I'd probably take it.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Voted B

It was kind of close. Having an eventful life and a lot of choices/freedom is really appealing. But I wouldn't want to die before 30 and I don't care if I'm known forever.

admittedly, depending how much stock you put into banging a wide variety of really hot chicks, partying to the hilt, inspiring people, helping people etc..

I mean look at like a younger athlete or hollywood star... tom brady, Leo DiCaprio, etc.. I mean those guys have banged hot chicks... loads of them, partied, traveled to places I'll likely never see, rubbed shoulders with the elite, probably helped a lot more people that I ever will through their charities, and have massive fan bases.

Not everyone can be Hugh Hefner and have that awesomeness last forever.

I see plenty of people that sure have a limited amount of Joy after age 60 due to health concerns.

now I'm not a father yet so I don't know the impact family will have on me... but I am leaning towards 30 years of a charmed life over 80 years of average... and I don't so much care about whether people remember me or not.... but being filthy rich for a decade would really give you some sweet life experiences.

this is surprising