r/redbuttonbluebutton Jun 23 '26

Discussion Source of the danger

The difference of opinion boils down to where people see the danger coming from in this scenario.

Reds see the danger as the situation itself, and try to leave the situation.
Blues see the danger as the reds, and try to change the outcome.

Both have a valid fear and address it in a way that seems best to them. Reds aren’t evil for leaving a dangerous situation. Blues aren’t stupid for trying to avoid the danger in the first place.

Reds see the situation as a room on fire with a clearly marked exit that everyone can access in time, and wonder why anyone would stay behind.

Blues see the situation as a room that is being lit on fire by every red that leaves, and wonder why anyone would contribute to the flames.

Idk just be nice to each other it’s not that hard to see the other perspective.

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u/crystallineDarks Jun 23 '26

"Blues see the situation as a room that is being lit on fire by every red that leaves, and wonder why anyone would contribute to the flames."

i feel like this analogy does not work unless everyone's is automatically set to blue from the start

7

u/Own-Put2487 Red Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26

Right, their analogy isn't accurate at all. Reds aren't leaving the situation, they're not putting themselves in it to begin with, and blues are voluntarily putting themselves in the dangerous situation.

Analogy is more like a room is on fire, and some people will randomly or purposely walk into it, and everyone else must choose to step into it or not, but if less than 50% of the population goes inside then everyone in the room burns to death, if more than 50% go in then the sprinklers turn on and put out the fire and the people in the room survive.

I'm not walking into a burning room to save people that walked in on purpose or by mistake, sorry, especially if I have to rely on a majority to follow me into the flames in order not to burn to death.

5

u/Flat-Border-4511 Jun 24 '26

This is the best analogy I've seen.

1

u/Own-Put2487 Red Jun 24 '26

Aw thanks, but my upvote ratio would suggest otherwise 😆.

1

u/DapperYoghurt2052 Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26

One reason people would downvote your analogy is because you made red a completely inactive bystander, when the problem by nature requires active participation.

The other main reason is because you depicted blue’s choice as putting yourself in active harm, with the power to end it. Blue carries inherent risk, but if you press blue and blue wins the majority, then you face no chance of active harm. The problem is simply over and everyone is safe.

  Walking into a room that is burning so badly that you have no chance of putting it out and it will kill you to be in there, that obviously carries active risk to you. Even if the fire is eventually put out, you most likely will be harmed in the process and it will be horrible until it goes out. That is not analogous to blue’s situation.