Shanghai Expat :: View topic - Wanna test your leadership skills??? then solve this.

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Shanghai Open Chat - Wanna test your leadership skills??? then solve this.

shredder - July 02, 2009 - 04:28 PM
Post subject: Wanna test your leadership skills??? then solve this.

Suppose there are 2 railway tracks running parallel to each other next to a small village. One of the tracks is usually in use and the other one is never used (but can be used if ever needed).

A group of small village children usually play on these tracks. Assume all the children know exactly which of the two tracks is usually in use and which one is never used.

Suppose on a really foggy day, a group of 10 small children are playing on the track that is usually in-use (knowing that it is in use and may be in danger of an incoming train). Separately, a single small child plays alone on the track that is never in use (knowing that he is safe since the train never takes this track).

On that day, a fast-moving train is approaching the area where the group of children are playing. The children are not able to (and will not) realize that a train is coming straight at them due to the fog, etc. You are the station manager and have the ability to switch tracks at the press of a button. By the time you see and realize that the train is on a collision course with the group of children, you have just a moment to decide whether you should let the train follow its usual path and run over the group of 10 children....OR switch tracks and save the 10 children (who always knew that they were in danger if playing on that track) but end up sacrificing the 1 kid who thought he was safe (and was doing the right thing by opting not to play on the other track)?

Ethical Dilemma....of a different kind!

Andreas - July 02, 2009 - 04:32 PM
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Darwin has the answer to this.

Rumpelstiltskin - July 02, 2009 - 04:34 PM
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I am not switching, those 10 bastards should die

hammerforlife - July 02, 2009 - 04:43 PM
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This would make a great reality TV show.

jeffo - July 02, 2009 - 04:46 PM
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Can we kill the 10 retards and make the train goes backwards to kill the remnant ?

Chrisse - July 02, 2009 - 05:00 PM
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^ Like that idea, if they are that stupid to play on the tracks they should all die...

8lrr8 - July 02, 2009 - 05:07 PM
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the needs of the many outweight the needs of the few.

but not in this case.

8lrr8 - July 02, 2009 - 05:09 PM
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this question should've been worded to say the track w/ the 10 kids playing on it has 1 kid that is your child.

spice things up a bit...

Rumpelstiltskin - July 02, 2009 - 05:11 PM
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8lrr8 wrote:

this question should've been worded to say the track w/ the 10 kids playing on it has 1 kid that is your child.

spice things up a bit...

If a station manager let his kid play on the track where train is comming, he should jump under it too

8lrr8 - July 02, 2009 - 05:15 PM
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Rumpelstiltskin wrote:

If a station manager let his kid play on the track where train is comming, he should jump under it too

not so much "let" but rather not listening to father's warnings.

Rumpelstiltskin - July 02, 2009 - 05:19 PM
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Quote:

not so much "let" but rather not listening to father's warnings.

Well he must have SEEN those children

BONNIE - July 02, 2009 - 05:27 PM
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How can the train driver see to run the train so fast if it's that foggy ?

Kiwi - July 02, 2009 - 05:27 PM
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How many of the children are Chinese?

Rumpelstiltskin - July 02, 2009 - 05:32 PM
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Kiwi wrote:

How many of the children are Chinese?

All but one

Kiwi - July 02, 2009 - 05:34 PM
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Rumpelstiltskin wrote:

Kiwi wrote:

How many of the children are Chinese?

All but one

And which track is the non-Chinese child playing on?

victorinchina - July 02, 2009 - 05:39 PM
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Well, since yesterday, I've been down with the sh1tes, so if I was the station manager, I would most likely be on the can, not even realizing the dilemma I was put in... I think we all know what happens then...

Another thing: How come the fog makes the children unable to see the train, but not me unable to see the children?

tomnoddy_uk - July 02, 2009 - 05:46 PM
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BONNIE wrote:

How can the train driver see to run the train so fast if it's that foggy ?

And how can the signal master see the kids playing on the tracks?

Andreas - July 02, 2009 - 05:54 PM
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8lrr8 wrote:

this question should've been worded to say the track w/ the 10 kids playing on it has 1 kid that is your child.

spice things up a bit...

Mine would not be as daft to play on the wong track. Wink

still_here - July 02, 2009 - 06:05 PM
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its hypothetical right?
i will fly the parents of all 11 kids to the tracks, replace them with the kids and fail the brakes of the train!

still_here - July 02, 2009 - 06:09 PM
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coming from you thats the best compliment i ever got! thanks.

tihZ_hO - July 02, 2009 - 06:10 PM
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Is this in China?

still_here - July 02, 2009 - 06:12 PM
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/\ hypothetical China!

tihZ_hO - July 02, 2009 - 06:19 PM
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Ok then, do nothing.

Smile

OK, that's too harsh... sorry

still_here - July 02, 2009 - 06:21 PM
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so whats new?

Mr Totomolo - July 02, 2009 - 06:26 PM
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The answer is in Sun Tzu "the art of War":

"The king of Wu tested Sun's skills by commanding him to train a harem of 360 concubines into soldiers. Sun divided them into two companies, appointing the two concubines most favored by the king as the company commanders. When Sun first ordered the concubines to face right, they giggled. In response, Sun said that the general, in this case himself, was responsible for ensuring that soldiers understood the commands given to them. Then, he reiterated the command, and again the concubines giggled. Sun then ordered the execution of the king's two favored concubines, to the king's prοtests. He explained that if the general's soldiers understood their commands but did not obey, it was the fault of the officers. Sun also said that once a general was appointed, it was their duty to carry out their mission, even if the king protested. After both concubines were killed, new officers were chosen to replace them. Afterward, both companies performed their maneuvers flawlessly."

tihZ_hO - July 02, 2009 - 06:39 PM
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^ TA DAH!

Andreas - July 02, 2009 - 06:52 PM
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Kiwi wrote:

How many of the children are Chinese?

The 10 on the wrong track. As if you didn't know. Rolling Eyes

BONNIE - July 02, 2009 - 06:56 PM
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Quote:

By the time you see and realize that the train is on a collision course with the group of children

Here is the problem with the story - if the statiomaster can see the train and the kids then surely the kids can see the train ?

victorinchina - July 02, 2009 - 07:06 PM
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^ Unless they are Chinese kids. In which case they wouldn't notice/see anything... They would just suddenly cease to exist...

HoboJuice - July 02, 2009 - 07:39 PM
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First, let the train keep moving, and then take a baton and snuff the last little bugger.

Rumpelstiltskin - July 02, 2009 - 07:41 PM
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victorinchina wrote:

^ Unless they are Chinese kids. In which case they wouldn't notice/see anything... They would just suddenly cease to exist...

Just LOLed

iara - July 02, 2009 - 10:11 PM
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I would change the tracks and kill one instead of 10.
First: why only one kid at that "safe"track? what's the problem with him? why he wouldn't play with the group?
Second: the 10 kids knew it wasn't safe, but they went together, they were having fun together, and risking their lives together. They where real friends.
Third: Playing at any train track isn't safe. The lonely kid should have know it, and then he wouldn't be there. The concept os "safety" is also very relative.

Kill him, and all other kids will never, ever, play there again. No more problems in the future.

Andreas - July 02, 2009 - 10:14 PM
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iara wrote:

First: why only one kid at that "safe"track? what's the problem with him? why he wouldn't play with the group?

LOL, I wouldn't play with idiots either. Wink

iara - July 02, 2009 - 10:29 PM
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Andreas wrote:

iara wrote:

First: why only one kid at that "safe"track? what's the problem with him? why he wouldn't play with the group?

LOL, I wouldn't play with idiots either. Wink

Hehe, when I wrote that, I saw ME as the lonely kid...never liked to play in groups...

victorinchina - July 02, 2009 - 10:35 PM
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iara wrote:

Kill him, and all other kids will never, ever, play there again. No more problems in the future.

So, if I'm reading this right, all it would take to stop Chinamen from pissing in the streets is kicking one of them really hard in the nuts... Like a penalty kick square in the bollocks.
Right?

iara - July 02, 2009 - 11:09 PM
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victorinchina wrote:

iara wrote:

Kill him, and all other kids will never, ever, play there again. No more problems in the future.

So, if I'm reading this right, all it would take to stop Chinamen from pissing in the streets is kicking one of them really hard in the nuts... Like a penalty kick square in the bollocks.
Right?

Not sure...it would work with my son, but he isn't chinese.
And I think the problem here are the parents, that don't know how to raise a kid properly!

jeffinflorida - July 02, 2009 - 11:17 PM
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What if that one kid was the next Hitler or Mao?

Or if the ten kids were little Nazis?

findus - July 02, 2009 - 11:54 PM
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Giggle until the train hits, then light a ciggy and stand around gawking.

When in China...

Andreas - July 03, 2009 - 12:08 AM
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findus wrote:

Giggle until the train hits, then light a ciggy and stand around gawking.

When in China...

Goosie - July 03, 2009 - 09:21 AM
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If this is China, the switch is probably a manual one. Throw it halfway, causing the train to derail before it reaches the kids. It will cause some damage to the train, but probably not much and no one will be hurt.

victorinchina - July 03, 2009 - 09:27 AM
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^ Unless it's one of those a bit over crowded trains that is...

BONNIE - July 03, 2009 - 09:33 AM
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From the Station Master's point of view - do nothing.
If you something (i.e. switch the track) it's murder - one kid and maybe derailing the train.

Just claim you didn't see anything because of the fog.

victorinchina - July 03, 2009 - 09:38 AM
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^ Again, we really need to know where this scenario takes place.

IF it is in China, then you're right. Do nothing...
Just claim you didn't see anything as you said.
Just point your finger at someone else.
Just claim you didn't know you were supposed to do that.
Simply state: They should've been more careful...

ziccawei - July 03, 2009 - 09:44 AM
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BONNIE wrote:

This would probably be the case in any country.

If the kids can't see a huge f*cking train coming towards them - or hear it - then the driver or the station master will very likely not be able to see the kids playing on the tracks.

Are there signs saying 'Don't Play On The Tracks'? If so, then it would be a case of a horrific accident in which a group of kids were killed by an oncoming train, but there were signs and they were told plenty of times not to play on the tracks.

Both the station master and the train driver could claim compensation and get years of free counseling for trauma paid for by tax-payers.

There is thick fog - no-one can see anything.

Sh*t happens.

Cool

jeffinflorida - July 03, 2009 - 10:16 AM
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I think the answer is:

The Chinese parents will see what is happening and react by throwing more children under the train so they can try to claim more financial recourse from the government.

ziccawei - July 03, 2009 - 10:34 AM
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More children? How long have you been in China, Virgin-Jeff?

leonard_moon - July 04, 2009 - 07:24 AM
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