Does everyone have a price?
I had a discussion tonight with Sarah and David regarding the cost it would take to do something that would otherwise be objectionable to them. We started with small things and worked our way up to the most heinous of events to determine if a price could be had.
This conversation was powerfully driven by my belief that once you establish even one circumstance in which you would willingly commit an act previously thought of as reprehensible as trade for something you desire, you have immediately established that you are for sale, and all that happens after that point is simply haggling.
I believe this because one of the greatest things about humans is our inner spirit and drive. Some people are motivated by the prospect of riches, others for security, some for love and others for charity. But when you break us down to what keeps us going on the day to day, sooner or later you discover the inner core of motivation. Once someone understands your motivation it seems to me it is only a matter of time and options before your motivating factor has you buckling under the pressure.
Small Quiz for the readers:
1. Would you perform oral sex on a stranger for 1 million dollars? Y/N
2. Would you perform oral sex on a stranger for 1 billion dollars? Y/N
3. Would you end a relationship with a loved one to save their life? Y/N
4. Would you cheat on your spouse/significant other to save 100 small babies from being tortured before being brutally killed? Y/N
If you said yes to any of the questions above, you have proved my point.
For some the first three questions were easy ones with a Yes or No answer springing readily to mind. The last one is significantly tougher in my opinion, because by one act of betrayal which could potentially be forgiven, you would be saving the lives of innocents who cannot protect themselves. Your sacrifice or loss would benefit so many more people and it makes you a part of a bad act done for extremely good reasons.
BTW – If anyone found it easy to say NO to all four questions above, please comment and let me know why you could walk away, I’d love to know.
This conversation was powerfully driven by my belief that once you establish even one circumstance in which you would willingly commit an act previously thought of as reprehensible as trade for something you desire, you have immediately established that you are for sale, and all that happens after that point is simply haggling.
I believe this because one of the greatest things about humans is our inner spirit and drive. Some people are motivated by the prospect of riches, others for security, some for love and others for charity. But when you break us down to what keeps us going on the day to day, sooner or later you discover the inner core of motivation. Once someone understands your motivation it seems to me it is only a matter of time and options before your motivating factor has you buckling under the pressure.
Small Quiz for the readers:
1. Would you perform oral sex on a stranger for 1 million dollars? Y/N
2. Would you perform oral sex on a stranger for 1 billion dollars? Y/N
3. Would you end a relationship with a loved one to save their life? Y/N
4. Would you cheat on your spouse/significant other to save 100 small babies from being tortured before being brutally killed? Y/N
If you said yes to any of the questions above, you have proved my point.
For some the first three questions were easy ones with a Yes or No answer springing readily to mind. The last one is significantly tougher in my opinion, because by one act of betrayal which could potentially be forgiven, you would be saving the lives of innocents who cannot protect themselves. Your sacrifice or loss would benefit so many more people and it makes you a part of a bad act done for extremely good reasons.
BTW – If anyone found it easy to say NO to all four questions above, please comment and let me know why you could walk away, I’d love to know.
posted by Jennifer at 2:46 AM
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