What would you do?
August 1st, 2008 at 12:44pm Will Pfeifer
If you’ve seen THE DARK KNIGHT, you’ll remember the scene near the end when the Joker rigs explosives to two boats — one with average citizens, one with hardened criminals — then gives each boat a detonator. Both boats will explode in a short time unless — and here’s the great catch — the people on one boat push the button. Then the other boat will explode, and the lives of the people on the boat that pressed the button will be spared.
It’s an amazingly tense section in the movie, all designed by the Joker to prove that people are just one step away from chaos. (It also includees one of the movie’s best moments. I wouldn’t think of spoiling it here, but I will say that it involves actor Tiny Lister and took me completely by surprise.)
Anyway, the reason I’m even bringing it up is there’s a great discussion of the scene here. The author, Sean Maconachy, doesn’t spoil the plot, but he does consider this compelling philosophical question from several angles. The comments are worth reading, too.
By the way, THE DARK KNIGHT is a shockingly good movie — definitely one of the best of the year. If you haven’t seen it, by all means go. It’s the rare comic book-inspired movie that relies on brains, not braun.
Entry Filed under: New movies
9 Comments Add your own
1. LD | August 1st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
When I saw the movie I immediately thought of the Prisoner’s Dilemma:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner’s_dilemma
Another of my favorite blogs had recently been discussing it, so it was fresh in my mind:
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/19/prisoners-dilemma-contest-whats-the-one-question-youd-ask-if/
2. Brian M | August 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I would jump overboard and swim. No mre danger to me, no guilt about being respnsible fr blowing someone else up.
3. Brian M | August 1st, 2008 at 3:57 pm
What is up with my “o” key?
That should say *more*, *responsible*, and *for*
4. Adam | August 2nd, 2008 at 9:55 am
The Joker said if anyone jumps off the boat he would blow both of them up.
5. Brian M | August 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 am
I know. I’d take the chance. Good chance you’re gonna die anyway, right?
6. LD | August 2nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I would prevent Brian from leaving the boat.
7. Jerry | August 2nd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
This is a great thread.
My problem with stopping someone from jumping is you then have to determine how far you would go to prevent them jumping ship and maybe blowing of the boat. Would you prevent them leaving by deadly force if needed? Is that just as proving of what the Joker wants although on a smaller scale?
Tough call all around. Just like in the film.
8. LD | August 3rd, 2008 at 10:04 am
I’ll just incapacitate Brian. Of course after Batman saves us., Brian will sue me.
9. Brian M | August 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
Well, you’d probably have 100 witnesses who would back you up and say I just slipped and and hit my head. You had nothing to do with it.
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