You're in a desert

[hive_king]

You’re in a desert walking along in the sand when all of the sudden you look down, and you see a tortoise, it’s crawling toward you. You reach down, you flip the tortoise over on its back. The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can’t, not without your help. But you’re not helping. Why is that?

[Eaquae Legit]

Beats me. I wouldn't be turning the poor creature on its back in the first place.

[jotabe]

Is this some kind of logic game, or a moral question?

[hive_king]

Its a question I heard somewhere, and I was interested how people would answer.

[Dr. Mobius]

I was trying to help it, but the damn thing bit my finger when I picked it up! I guess it landed on its back when I dropped it. That little f****** can roast for all I care because I ain't touching it again. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be going. I think I see an ambulance at that mirage over there.

[Jebus]

Turtle soup, anyone?

[zeroguy]

A monk saw a turtle in the garden of Daizui's monastery and asked the teacher, "All beings cover their bones with flesh and skin. Why does this being cover its flesh and skin with bones?" Master Daizui took off one of his sandals and covered the turtle with it.

[Boothby]

As long as you don't ask me about my mother...

[neo-dragon]

Damn it! I'm not a replicant and you can't prove otherwise!!

[hive_king]

The Voight-Kampff test says otherwise

[neo-dragon]

Dang, I guess that means I have less than 4 years to live.

What were some of the other questions on the test? I recall one (directed at women specifically) that was something like, "your husband finds a picture of a nude woman whom he finds very attractive, so much so that he puts it up on the wall. Do you make him take it down?"

[hive_king]

Yeah, and the real thing the tester was looking for was how the subject responded when he mentioned that the nude girl was on a bear-skin rug.

[neo-dragon]

Yeah, but I think that the question of whether the husband should have to take down the picture is more interesting.

[Slim]

There is some sort of tortoise-raptor flying overhead. They love the taste of those crunchy tortoise shells. However, they are trained to recognise a tortoise from above. I realize that the tortoise will be safe on its back, so I turn it over. The tortoise is incredibly near-sighted, so it doesn't realize it is being hunted. But however hard it tries, it can't turn itself over, and because of the tortoise-raptor, I'm not going to help it either. Don't worry; I'll turn it over once the tortoise-raptor finds some shells of already dead tortoses it can munch on.

...

So what does that say about me? Hyperactive imagination?

[suminonA]

You’re in a desert walking along in the sand when all of the sudden you look down, and you see a tortoise, it’s crawling toward you. You reach down, you flip the tortoise over on its back. The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can’t, not without your help. But you’re not helping. Why is that?

The answer is obviously ... flowers.

A.

[jotabe]

If you are walking in a desert, chances are that you are lost, probably starving. In need of water.
A turtle in the desert is in a similar predicament, and probably a lot closer to death than you.

If you leave the turtle by itself, to die dry up in the desert, its death will profit noone. If you kill it, and eat it, it might give you enough food and water to resist and arrive to some civilized place.

Hence, you are killing it, baking it a bit in the process, so the meat will be more digestible, to feed yourself.


Geeze, i know it sounds horrible...

[hive_king]

Except it's a tortoise, Jota, not a turtle. Tortoises are built to live in the desert.

[jotabe]

Well, it would be a sad, tragic mistake, in that case... still, if you think that eating the tortoise would save your life in exchange for its life... would you spare it?

[starlooker]

Nope. I'd eat the tortoise before letting myself die.

However, back to the original question:

Probably because I am despairing. And misery loves company.

[Matty]

Because I read a book by Kilgore Trout telling me that I am the only thinking being, with free will, in the universe. The tortoise is a robot, put there for my amusement. Why not tip it over?

[21BRAVO]

We want to feel dominant over something. We like to feel a little bit like a God. That little reptile will live or die solely based on our personal desire. Maybe it's nice to feel that for a while. ...and then flip the thing back on its feet.

[vendor]

I was looking for loose change. The tortoise was just in the way.

[BonitoDeMadrid]

I have absolutely no idea why I was doing that, and was pretty shocked that I did it. I woulda let the tortoise live on, or take it with me, to eat in desperate times.

...After some thought and re-reading of the question, I realised I would do this in self-defence from the tortoise. But then I'd probably take it in my hands and send it flying like a boomerang in the direction I came from, hoping never to see it again.

Or, if it's a desperate time, I'd eat it. ^_^

[Janus%TheDoorman]

Because you've already done everything you can.

[seamusz]

You’re in a desert walking along in the sand when all of the sudden you look down, and you see a tortoise, it’s crawling toward you. You reach down, you flip the tortoise over on its back. The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can’t, not without your help. But you’re not helping. Why is that?

Does it matter? I mean everyone knows that on the third day the sand turns into sea...

[vendor]

you mean ninth,
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/america/a+ ... 07105.html

[seamusz]

My face is red, but I'm glad you knew the reference.

[Cooper]

It would seem that no one has watched the final season of StarGate SG1. the answer is you are a turtle as well and happen to be like wise on your back.
I agree they think we are ogres and i find much proof in their reasoning.

[suminonA]

You’re in a desert walking along in the sand when all of the sudden you look down, and you see a tortoise, it’s crawling toward you. You reach down, you flip the tortoise over on its back. The tortoise lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over, but it can’t, not without your help. But you’re not helping. Why is that?

the answer is you are a turtle as well and happen to be like wise on your back.

No comment.

A.

[Cooper]

Being reclusive snobs, all turtles look down on each other.
And in the attempt to right the other turtle to the correct position, he flipped you over, thus you are no longer walking.

[suminonA]

Hmm, that's a coherent explanation. Thanks!

A.