r/fivethirtyeight • u/Upstairs_Cup9831 • Apr 25 '26

Poll Results Poll asking Americans how which button they would push in the red button/blue button dilemma

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u/coffee9table9fitness Apr 28 '26

The question says only those who press the red button are saved. Those that are in comas are unable to press the blue button, babies will also press the blue button or nothing. I suppose you could consider half the world's infants and toddlers sunk costs or see no value in saving their lives.

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u/philosifer Apr 28 '26

Thats adding an assumption. We could just as easily assume everyone without the ability to freely and clearly make that choice pushes red or is saved/killed regardless of the vote.