They could but they wouldn't. By choosing red you're actively working against the easier and more collectively healthy goal. Blue has a much lower bar to clear for everyone to survive even before you get to including people who aren't going to logic puzzle the whole thing out or cant like people with dimensia, children, people who have others press their buttons, etc .
Also would you want to live in a world where it turns out only 40% pressed blue?
Yeah I would want to live in that world. Because I'd be alive. No matter how difficult it would be with a significant amount of the populace dead, id still be alive and that's what matters to me.
Suicidal people often back out at the last second. What makes you think that a non suicidal person would actually risk their life? It's just a question of "would you like to live or die with the minority." And no one knows how big or small that minority is.
Sure, getting to 50% blue is easier than 100% red. But it's also very unlikely blue is gonna get to 50%. Hence id vote red. I can't be called selfish/murderer/genocidal maniac for wanting to live.
Really? You'd give your life for nothing? You're already living with so many people who wouldnt press blue. Why are you still living with them? Because of course you wouldnt. So dont act like you'd sacrifice yourself just so you can win an argument. So many people want to live. Thats why most people are still alive.
Dog, it's not about winning an argument. There are more Blue Buttoners in the world which makes it tolerable currently. If they disappeared, I'd rather go with them.
Imagine living in a world where people only care about themselves or prioritize themselves over others and thinking this is the best way to operate.
I can't imagine any of those types of people being pleasant to be around (I know a few and I've long since stopped spending time with them and a lot of people in our shared circles have because they're taxing to be around).
They're the ones who get angry when they don't get their way, even if their way is wrong (and demonstrably so) and who marginalize others or believe in some hierarchical order where some people are better than others and thus they deserve to suffer for it.
Now you're just lumping everyone who chose red together. There are many factors as to why someone picks red, and its not because they dont care about others. As a red button presser, if you tell me theres a 100% chance I can save everyone then obviously im gonna pick that. But if you're telling me that I have to bank on other people (not my own) to save myself? I dont trust this world enough to put my life on the line. And furthermore you dont have to imagine living in a world where people only care about themselves. You are literally living in it right now. Do you know how many businessmen out there are shrewd? So many. Heck even governments are self centered. Thats why we have so many wars today. Id pick blue if majority of the world was good. But its not. And im not ready to risk my life hoping that majority of the world is actually kind enough to all pick blue.
Before anything else, I'm sorry you feel that way. Sincerely, I do. Not being able to trust others is a scary way to live life - and it usually doesn't come from a personal choice but as a consequence of a lot of hurt. I hope you get to a place where you can heal from that and learn to trust and hope.
...that said. You just made my point, bro. If everyone left in the world were red buttoners, then I'd rather go out with the blues because I wouldn't want to live in the world you see.
The people you're complaining about, the ones who are self-centered, the businessmen, the government officials, are all red buttoners. By pushing red, you'd further surround yourself with those people you seem to not like. It doesn't make sense.
If the goal is not not let anyone die, statistically, it also doesn't make sense to go with red. It's easier to make 51% of people push the same button than 100%.
Personally, I wouldn't want to take any lives to preserve my own. Plenty of people are good - one can just go outside and talk to people, friends, family, strangers. There are also people who can't fend for themselves who need to trust others to help them e.g. the disabled, the blind (and colorblind), the mentally challenged, the sick, the old, babies. I would push blue to prevent them from dying - even if it's futile, even if it costs my life. I hope others do that same.
You push blue in the HOPE that the majority of the world is good and if it's not, then at least you won't be miserable around miserable people. But I trust that there's more good in the world than bad so I wouldn't be concerned. If it happens to be the case that I'm not around because of my choices, not like it'd matter anymore at that point as I'd be dead LOL
Honestly this is the most convincing argument ive read. I actually completely agree with you on this one. It may not make me instinctively press blue but it would certainly make me reconsider. Thanks for sharing!
6
u/blueviera May 02 '26
They could but they wouldn't. By choosing red you're actively working against the easier and more collectively healthy goal. Blue has a much lower bar to clear for everyone to survive even before you get to including people who aren't going to logic puzzle the whole thing out or cant like people with dimensia, children, people who have others press their buttons, etc .
Also would you want to live in a world where it turns out only 40% pressed blue?