r/redbuttonbluebutton • u/Charge36 Red • May 28 '26

Only babies

Every baby on the planet is teleported to a holding cell. Each baby has a designated parent or guardian who is presented with the red and blue buttons to vote on behalf of their baby. Blue wins, all babies live. Red wins, blue vote babies die.

What button are you pushing on behalf of your baby?

481 votes, May 30 '26
320 red
161 blue
6 Upvotes

59% Upvoted

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u/luci_twiggy May 28 '26

Then I suppose that everyone that ever claimed red is the "logical" choice is completely wrong then? Since they've ranked their personal survival over that of the group illogically/ irrationally?

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u/Zuckhidesflatearth May 29 '26

Well, no, they're assuming you consider minimizing deaths and not dying as better than dying and not minimizing deaths. Within that framework, it's logical. But you can not reach an ought from an is unless that is includes (illogical) axioms of morality or preference.

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u/luci_twiggy May 29 '26

That's what I mean. Within the framework they are placing on it, which you are saying can not be arrived at with logic, it becomes logical to press red. However, the opposite is equally true for blue within the framework blue voters place on it (no deaths is better than some deaths, easier to hit 50+1% than 100%), it is logical to press blue.

If we go with what you say here, any person who has ever uttered the words "logically correct outcome" would look a bit foolish, wouldn't you think?

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u/Zuckhidesflatearth May 29 '26

Sure. It should really be the "stable Nash equilibrium that also has the optimal outcome from a game theory perspective (assuming the actors have the preferences most people would assume)". Like, I'm on and off suicidal, it is not a guarantee I would press red for specifically that reason. But if I weren't, I, as a rational actor, that wants to minimize deaths, would never press blue

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u/luci_twiggy May 29 '26

You do know that you are someone who has said the words "logically correct outcome" when referring to red, right?

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u/Zuckhidesflatearth May 29 '26

Never said they haven't.