Dead in the Water

This week we did a pretty interesting activity to test ones sociological mindfulness and what we as a class think are important values. The scenario was that there were 16 survivors of a boat wreck in a life boat, but the raft could only hold nine. That means 17 people had to go. Each person came from different backgrounds with different pasts and all had their reasons for living. It was a tough decision. The group decided that the elderly is less valuable than youth. And that a child growing up without a father, would be extremely devastating. I found it interesting how many people could easily point the finger in order to take it away from themselves. It is strange how ones' survivalist in stinks kick in, and a very tough thing to think about, if you were actually faced with such a challenge. Are any of our lives more valuable than another? And who exactly, can make that decision?