is one life worth more than another? what do you think?

[jekan blazer]

i was reading the news and someone asked me, "why do you think the news thinks one life is worth more than another? what I mean is, why do they put something like a single murder on front page, but not the mass murders caused by gang shootings every day?"


i almost punched the person, but instead i told them, "I believe that our lives arent worth more or less than one another. the reason why a single murder, gets front page is such a big deal, is not, i repeat, is NOT because it is worth more than another person. its because something like that is unexpected. the gang violence is not news anymore. that doesnt mean one life is worth more or less, it just gives us new news each day."


they looked stunned and walked away, saying nothing.

[Virgil]

Well, I would dispute what the assumption of your friend. They certainly do put mass shootings in the newspapers. Newspapers will put news, and if something is a regular occurence then it is not news.

As to your general question, every life is worth the same in principle. However, a family member is certainly more dear than a stranger.

[jekan blazer]

thats only opinion though...
you cant replace a life for no two lives are the same...
true?

[LadyW]

Hmmm...
I agree with Virgil here, mass murders are reported.
Alot of murders don't even make the news.
I don't think it makes a difference to be honest with you. Whether the person's death is on the news or not, they're still dead, and those who knew them are still affected by it in the same way, to the same magnitude.

[jekan blazer]

well you are making good points...
yet im talking about gang violence

[Zee.]

There are obvious reasons to why you don't see these articles plastered on the front page. One of the main reasons being it's such an everyday thing. Mass murders take the front page because they're just that, mass murders. Also, the gruesome stories are usually the ones that take the front page when it comes to murder. Draws you in.

Things which are considered "wrong" or "bad" happen everyday. It doesn't mean you need to write an article about it every time it happens.
And why highlight gang violence? what does being in a gang have to do with anything? who cares whether they are in a gang or not. There is violence everywhere. Most of the time this violence is found in places that should be of "safety". People associate gangs immediately with violence because they're ignorant. Violence occurs within the home a lot more frequently than other places.
But you're not going to see that plastered on the front page are you?
People aren't interested in reading about gang violence because quite honestly, it's a fact of life. As is all violence. Targeting one specific area is stupid.

Just recently a little girl here was thrown off a bridge by her father. Why was that plastered on the front page? for sympathy? ah no. Newspapers know that when you see that, you're curious. You pick it up, you buy it, and they make their money.

It doesn't matter what kind of story is on the front page. It's about money. If it'll make the paper money, it's there.

[Dori]

I value life much more than to calculate its worth.

[subterranean]

I value life much more than to calculate its worth.

Hear hear!

[Chava]

I'm going to have to agree with Virgil, the lives of our loved ones will always 'seem' of greater value than others. And what is the value of an elderly when compared to the life of a young child?

I don't think that a rich man is more valueable or more of an asset to society than a poor man, but it exists as human capital. the value of a labourer, in a manual working environment, over a ballerina. Value depends on situation, and though I don't like the ieda of putting value to lives, and would never be able to place such value myself, it seems that there really is a deteremination of value given to us by society.

Like it or hate it. :)

[ricepudding9]

I'd don't believe so, everyone deserves a chance.

[MarkBastable]

Yes. The life of almost any human being, for example, is worth more than the life of even the most celebrated and worthy blow-fly.

Once that's established, all subsequent arguments are down to estimation rather than principle.

[jekan blazer]

hmm... all these opinions... making me think over my original thought...
keep up the good work lit netters!!!!

[weltanschauung]

one nietzsche is worth at least a million kid rocks.
is that the math youre looking for?
one dalai lama is worth a billion californians.
you get the point.

[jekan blazer]

huh????????? what???????????????

[Bancini]

I don't think you can say that news coverage equates to valuation. Unless you are talking monetary value.

A news story on the murder of a housewife living an everyday life is worth more than a news story about a gang member's murder. That is just a function of markets and what people are willing to pay to read.

The question of whether one life is more valuable than another is completely different.

[jekan blazer]

good point...