Would You??

[Pompey Bum]

im reading a book right now where one of the main characters was recruited to win a national lottery (of 100 million dollars) that was rigged. if someone approached you with that same "opportunity", would you take it?

Absolutely not. Even if I didn't get caught, I would be forever under the power of the ones who recruited me. Besides, you don't need 100 million dollars. You just need more money than you can spend. And if you start taking care of your money when you're young (including buying all the discount items in the example above), it isn't all that hard to achieve.

Would you be embarrassed to buy day old bakery items at half price from a supermarket bin frequented by down-on-their-luck looking people?

[bounty]

heck no...im a good "thrift" shopper and day olds/reduced items are frequent finds for me.

you are with a friend who is about to throw out food thats canned/boxed and is past its "best by" date. would you take it instead and eat it?

(test running a new signature in an effort to get on someone's ignore list)

[Pompey Bum]

If it was past its expiration date, I probably wouldn't take it. And if it wasn't I would encourage my friend to donate it to a homeless shelter, or even take it down myself. Habits of thrift (especially in shopping) can help you become independent over time (along with smart planning), but a one time deal like that won't matter--and someone else could probably use the food.

Would you date a coworker?

[Clopin]

Yes, and I have.

By the way, I would massively stock up on any sale item in the examples you're putting forward AND I don't only frequently buy day old bread, but also take bread donations from churches and food banks (though I haven't in awhile, I was in serious need), and it is embarrassing, and since I don't actually look like a hobo, and have all my teeth, people have been reluctant to even serve me at those places.

Would you argue with someone on the Internet about politics or religion knowing that neither of you are going to change your mind?

[Pompey Bum]

If it was in good fun (with politics), or if there was mutual respect (with religion), then sure. Hearing opinions you don't agree with is a great way to consider things in a new light--even if it just means confirming your own opinions. But If not, what's the point? Converts aren't important to me.

By the way, I can't believe how few people use those day old bakery bins. By the time anyone actually eats bakery food, it's already at least a day old, and a few seconds in a microwave makes it good as new. But I get stares from the "respectable"-looking people all the time; and from the scruffy ones, too, who seem to think I'm taking their hand-outs.

This is why I love Fielding. He knew the classes were equally stupid, but forgave (almost) everyone.

Would you break off a friendship with someone you grew up with, and had known for 40 to 50 years (if you're not that old, imagine), just because you felt you no longer liked him or her?

[Clopin]

No, I tend to feel bad for people who I don't like or respect, and I don't want to hurt someone's feelings.

Would you take one million dollars in cash right now (if Pompey answers, then Pomp, pretend it's something you really want that isn't money) if it meant you had to be treated with pre Renaissance era medical technology for any illness/surgery you might pick up or require?

[Pompey Bum]

No, I tend to feel bad for people who I don't like or respect, and I don't want to hurt someone's feelings.

Well in this case, she just got pissed. I've never regretted it (quite the contrary), except for some very nostalgic memories about being young and beautiful together in the 1970s. But that's not real life anymore.

Would you take one million dollars in cash right now (if Pompey answers, then Pomp, pretend it's something you really want that isn't money) if it meant you had to be treated with pre Renaissance era medical technology for any illness/surgery you might pick up or require?

I'd let myself be leeched for that kind of dough. And I'd allow my leg to be sawed off without anesthesia if it meant my wife didn't have to suffer like that. But otherwise, not for all the tea in China.

Do the millions of years of human prehistory (in comparison to about five or six thousand years of recorded history) have any (non-evolutionary) significance to the human condition--considering that we can't "remember" them in a historical sense?

[Clopin]

Mhm, I don't know, but they do have obvious evolutionary significance and I think our societies and behaviour patterns probably don't look too different from what was exhibited hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Would you disown your hypothetical child if he or she became a pornstar?

[Pompey Bum]

Never. I'd try to get him or her out, though, unless I was convinced that it was a deliberate and mature decision.

Would you approve of the elimination of the movie rating system (G, PG, etc.)?

[Clopin]

Yes, it's harmful to the industry and makes movies worse.

Would you disown a hypothetical child for any reason at all?

[Pompey Bum]

I don't think so. My conception of family love is that it is unconditional. On the other hand, I have no children, so it's an easy thing to say. I can think of some circumstances where it would be very trying.

Would you give your life for your country?

[Clopin]

For Canada in 2015? No. But it's something I would consider if I felt there was something really worth defending. I don't think patriotism is always stupid/misplaced.

Would you?

[Pompey Bum]

If I had to, yes, but to be honest, I'd probably prioritize staying alive for my wife. But if something happened to her, I'd be willing. Not the most patriotic view, I suppose, but I'm being honest.

Should convicted enemy spies in times of war be executed?

[Clopin]

Mhm, probably, I'm not crazy about execution except as a deterrent (deter serious white collar crime and instances of politicians lying by executing them is my view), and you're not going to deter enemy combatants through fear of execution. Still, it's a war, and yes, probably.

Would you want to act in a movie if a director insisted that you were perfect for the (quite sizable) role?

[Pompey Bum]

If anyone was dumb enough to pay me for it, sure. If it was a disaster, I'd just write a funny book about it and star in the movie version.

Would you apologize if you broke into brief but uncontrolled laughter at someone, or just pretend it didn't happen?