Hypothetical Questions make great stories.

Hypothetical Questions make great stories.

Most of us have no idea what we would do or say if asked a serious “Hypothetical Question” but there are plenty who automatically knows what they will do or say.

The definition of a ” Hypothetical Question” A question asked based on assumptions and personal opinions rather than facts.

Most novels and movies start out with a Hypothetical Question? What would happened if such and such were to occur? From there the twists and turns start.

I was watching a movie Thursday night called “The Silent Hill” I had seen it before but decided to watch it again since I’m snowed in with nothing else to do. It’s an odd movie but I couldn’t help but wondered how many people in reality would have taken a different recourse? How would they’ve responded to the insidious mental condition of this loony town? Would they had responded differently. How many would’ve questioned the motivation of the township’s crazy action and ran away or stayed and participated in the madness?

The Silent Hill reminded me of the “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson where the woman was so eager make it to the town’s square she nearly neglected her chores; so eager to see who would be selected and stoned to death, never giving it a second thought nor consideration that she could end up winning the lottery. Which she did.

So how do most of you all feel you would’ve responded to the situation of either of these movies or books? Especially the situation in “The Lottery?” Would you have left town in the still of the night before the lottery drawing or stayed for the selection?

Hypothetically, would you have fallen in line with the crazy crowd or sought a way to escape their madness and untruthfulness? Each of us make such a decision every day whether we knows it or not to be a participant or exit the stage.

Most cases we encounters everyday doesn’t cost any one their life nor their sanity and goes unnoticed but it is something to think about…what if it did? Would you still participate?

 

P.S

I did a thesis paper on this same subject for my sophomore college psychology class and believe it not. The questionnaire came back that most people would participate knowing someone is going to die or harm will be afflicted. The answers were anonymous so I wasn’t able to identify who said what. But some attributes I did have access to: Most women said yes than men and more people above twenty years of age said yes than those below.  I can’t explain it but that’s what I collected.