this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2024
740 points (91.4% liked)

Showerthoughts

30038 readers
452 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

It appears that in every thread about this event there is someone calling everyone else in the thread sick and twisted for not proclaiming that all lives are sacred and being for the death of one individual.

It really is a real life trolley problem because those individuals are not seeing the deaths caused by the insurance industry and not realizing that sitting back and doing nothing (i.e. not pulling the lever on the train track switch) doesn't save lives...people are going to continue to die if nothing is done.

Taking a moral high ground and stating that all lives matter is still going to costs lives and instead of it being a few CEOs it will be thousands.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] pjwestin@lemmy.world 71 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

I see what you're getting at, but this isn't the trolley problem. The trolley problem is predicated on the idea that killing one will save many, but it's assumed that everyone involved is innocent. It's a philosophical question about moral choice; is inaction that allows many to die more moral than an action that directly kills one? If the one person being killed is somehow culpable for the deaths of the other people, that changes the entire equation.

Also, that's not even what happened here. One person was killed, but just as many people are going to die today because United Healthcare. No one was saved. Maybe if dozens of CEOs were gunned down in the streets, that would change something, but one dead CEO isn't going to do anything.

(And, to any moderators or FBI agents reading this, I'm of course not advocating for that. Can you even imagine? The ruling class that has been crushing the American working class for decades suddenly getting put down like rabid dogs? With the very weapons that the gun manufacturers allowed to flood our streets in order to maximize their profits? Makes me sick just to ~~fantasize~~ think about it.)

[–] x00z@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Maybe if dozens of CEOs were gunned down in the streets,

How do you think it starts?

[–] pjwestin@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago

...well, again, I definitely think that would be a bad thing. Truly terrible. Definitely wouldn't be happy to see the billionaire class living in fear of the people they're exploiting. Oh no. Stop. Police. Murder.

[–] bravesirrbn@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

It starts with one ...

Methinks you missed the point.

[–] moral_quandary@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

but it’s assumed that everyone involved is innocent.

The Wikipedia article for Trolley Problem states that there is a version called "The Fat Villain" so I think that fits here and is still a version of the trolley problem.

but one dead CEO isn’t going to do anything.

You are right about that. But if CEO deaths started matching school shooting numbers things would likely change.

[–] pjwestin@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Fair enough, but that's a variation of a variation, and pretty obscure (I'd heard of the Fat Man variation, but not the Fat Villain).

But if CEO deaths started matching school shooting numbers things would likely change.

I mean, that's basically what I'm saying, but that's not really the Trolley Problem. That's basically the French Revolution. (And, again, should any law enforcement agents happen to read this, I'm definitely not trying to incite violence against the billionaire class, no matter how badly they deserve it or how much better the world would be for it).

[–] CooperRedArmyDog@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 weeks ago

1/20th of school shooting numbers and we will get it

[–] Timecircleline@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago

Gun laws would change

[–] inv3r510n@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Maybe if dozens of CEOs were gunned down in the streets, that would change something, but one dead CEO isn't going to do anything.

Let’s fucking goooo