While discussing the novel Uglies by Scott Westerfeld today, an interesting psychological and reasoning question was brought up that I would like to share. Given the psychological nature of the question, read carefully.


Some time in the future, scientists have discovered a way to permanently erase short-term memories that is of no danger to the subjects (eg: no possibility of brain damage.) It is used only as therapy for those going into a very specific set of surgeries that are excruciating and traumatic as the patient must be mostly awake for the entire five-hour operation. The patient goes in for the surgery and five hours later, the previous 24 hours of that patient's life are erased entirely. No clear memories, no repressed memories, and no emotions peaking through that the patient can't figure out from where they came related to those 24 hours. Nothing.

For the sake of this question, you are being allowed total freedom only during the 24 hours that will be erased. There will be no consequences other than those you might cause yourself such as injury from a stupid choice. No one that sees you or may be with you (including a spouse) will hold you back. As if their memories would be erased as well during the 24-hour period, no one will tell you what the 24 hours in question were like nor will they change their opinions of you. Nothing during the 24 hours will be videotaped and posted on YouTube, etc. It is also guaranteed that the surgery will be 100% successful, so no fears of possible complications or death.

For you, it's 8:00pm Friday night, and work ended a few hours ago. The kids are with a babysitter. A total night of freedom to do anything you can imagine is yours for the taking if you wish.

As of this moment, it is 24 hours until you have to have the surgery.

So here's the question.

Knowing that you won't remember a thing anyway, would you live the next 24 hours as if it is any other day (sit at home, go to work, play on the Internet, maybe go out for dinner and drinks with friends... the usual,) or would you go wild, branch out, or likewise do things you never considered doing before knowing under normal circumstances you would have regretted them if not for knowing that you will never recall anything from the experience? If the latter, would you go out right now or wait a while, plan, schedule or maybe just relax before your night on the town?


(Complicated read, I know. The original discussion was verbal and easier to express.)

Biased poll.

Quoting bbbbb:

Quote:
Biased poll.

How so? The first is about doing something. The second is (essentially) about doing nothing. The third is about doing both.

Anyway the options were decided based on the conversation and the wording as carefully chosen as I could.


Quoting scotthm:

Quote:
Why would anyone want to do something they knew would cause regret under normal circumstances?

Because it is human nature to ponder the unknown... even if the unknown is sometimes foolish or wrong. These thoughts often include the words, "I wish I could..." Sometimes people say, "To heck with it" and do these things anyway.

I think, even if your mind was erased of something you did - there would be a record of it somewhere deep inside - which would somehow manifest itself in a subconscious way - and come to surface at a later time. There's no escaping your actions.

Quoting Blair:

Quote:

Quote:
Biased poll.

How so?

There's no "Other - please explain" option.

I wouldn't do anything different - if I can't remember it why do it?

Of course I wouldn't let anyone touch my brain or memories in the first place.

Having read the book in question I can say that I would definitely go with live the day like it was your last.

But, as always, we should do this anyway.

Good books though!