- #1
- 8,252
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My favorite physics professor once asked this before class. If you could, would you want to be emperor of the world? If so, what is the single most important thing that you would do?
Would you be Emperor of the World?
- Thread starter Ivan Seeking
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the hypothetical question of whether individuals would want to be the emperor of the world, exploring various personal motivations, responsibilities, and philosophical implications of such power. Participants share their thoughts on governance, personal desires, and the societal impact of leadership.
Discussion Character
- Philosophical exploration
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express a desire to unite humanity under a single leadership, while others reject the idea of wanting such power due to the associated responsibilities and potential for conflict.
- One participant humorously suggests that if they were emperor, they would focus on personal relationships, specifically mentioning having many wives.
- Another participant questions the seriousness of the original question, likening it to a personality quiz rather than a philosophical inquiry.
- Concerns about the burdens of leadership are raised, with some participants suggesting that ruling would be a significant burden rather than a privilege.
- Several participants engage in lighthearted banter about the implications of having numerous partners, with discussions about jealousy and the challenges of managing such relationships.
- One participant states that if a single ruler was ever accepted, they would prefer to leave Earth entirely.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally do not agree on whether they would want to be emperor, with multiple competing views on the desirability and implications of such a role. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the merits and drawbacks of absolute power.
Contextual Notes
Some statements reflect personal opinions and humorous takes on the responsibilities of leadership, while others express deeper philosophical concerns about power dynamics and governance.
- #2
sheldon
- 150
- 0
Yes, unite the human race.
- #3
Cummings
- 53
- 0
no, because quite simply having that much power and that style of job does not interest me.
But i would not mind being able to have a decent say in the doings of such a government - whilst still participating in the everyday aspects of life that bring much more happyness than absolute power.
If i did want to become emporer of ze world, i can't say there would be a single most important things i would do. There would be many, and even as emporer of the world it would be impossible - but you still have to try. The first thing i would do is help the people with things they need.
But i would not mind being able to have a decent say in the doings of such a government - whilst still participating in the everyday aspects of life that bring much more happyness than absolute power.
If i did want to become emporer of ze world, i can't say there would be a single most important things i would do. There would be many, and even as emporer of the world it would be impossible - but you still have to try. The first thing i would do is help the people with things they need.
- #4
drag
Science Advisor
- 1,097
- 1
NAh ! Too much work and no fun !
- #5
eNtRopY
Yes, I would be emporer of the world, and the single most important thing I would do is service each and every one of my 100,000 wives.
eNtRopY
eNtRopY
- #6
Guybrush Threepwood
- 514
- 1
try to offer a better life for everyone...
oh, yes and promote monogamy so I'll have to take those 100,000 wives from entropy
oh, yes and promote monogamy so I'll have to take those 100,000 wives from entropy
- #7
plus
- 166
- 1
Looks like I should be investing in viagra then.
I would scrap other forms of royalty.
- #8
DR OF DEATH
no way would i want this job, think of all the hard work, resposabilities, the assaination attempts etc, nope sorry not for me, [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)] [zz)]
- #9
Zantra
- 794
- 3
Is this a philosophical question, or just a throw-over from the miss america peagent? "yes and I want to clean up the earth, world peace and cute little puppies"
I'm assuming there's no 'right" answer and this is just a personality quiz.
btw, can you send 10k or so of those women my way? (see I'm not greedy like "SOME" people" )
I'm assuming there's no 'right" answer and this is just a personality quiz.
btw, can you send 10k or so of those women my way? (see I'm not greedy like "SOME" people" )
- #10
- 8,252
- 2,664
No. Just passing along an interesting question once asked by a professor.
Take if from a guy who has been married a long time: You guys don't know what you're asking for.
- #11
Zantra
- 794
- 3
Ya I do, I'm asking to sleep with a different women every day for 10,000 days straight. That's 27.4 years or 328.8 months without a repeat. And the down side is...?
- #12
- 8,252
- 2,664
Well, unless you're a long lived rabbit, exhaustion for one. However, I am thinking more of how to deal with 10,000 angry women? Based on statements made thus far, you guys would be in really, really deep doo doo. Even to be Emperor of the world would provide no safety from 10,000 women scorned.
Hey, that gives me an idea. How much would you pay me not to send your post to your girlfriend?
- #13
Zantra
- 794
- 3
Well hey, we're going on the premise that what what the emperor says is law, so they're not allowed to get jealous or bitter or spiteful=)
Better yet, just make it 10,000 virgins so that they are young enough not to know that there's any other way but servicing me;)
I guess I'm still young enough not to know what "TOO much sex" is
as for if my gf found out...
"oh you misunderstoood, I meant EVEN 10,000 women couldn't match up to you"
But it wouldn't really matter because HEY, if you don't want me, I have these OTHER 10,000 women...
Better yet, just make it 10,000 virgins so that they are young enough not to know that there's any other way but servicing me;)
I guess I'm still young enough not to know what "TOO much sex" is
as for if my gf found out...
"oh you misunderstoood, I meant EVEN 10,000 women couldn't match up to you"
But it wouldn't really matter because HEY, if you don't want me, I have these OTHER 10,000 women...
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- #14
Guybrush Threepwood
- 514
- 1
well if I would be the emperor I wouldn't have to worry about that. I'll just exile you to some distant, extreme-climate, not-connected to internet country
- #15
- 8,252
- 2,664
Hey, someone already did that; I live in the wilds of Oregon. But then came internet direct by satellite with 380 kb downloads and 500 Kb bursts.
But what the hey, all the more power to you. I'd rather have you as Emperor than Bush as King.
At least I know that political correctness if finally dead! You're really not macho, you’re just anti-Orwellian.
- #16
BoulderHead
No, I wouldn't. For a long time I have realized that holding power over others is just not something that interests or excites me. If I had no choice in the matter and were charged with such a duty, I'd consider it a great and terrible burden that would likely destroy me.
I do not wish to rule, or to be ruled, actually.
- #17
Matt
If the world and its citizens every came to the point where rule under one supreme being was acceptable, I'd be on the next spaceship to Mars : )