Science Hypothetical: You win a trip into space, or ...

**Rain Man** · 02-25-2014, 03:24 PM

Here's the scenario:

Your local dairy decides to sponsor a "Cow Jumped Over The Moon" contest, where first prize is a one-week trip to space. The winner will go to central Russia, board some massive Russian rocket along with a Bulgarian cosmonaut and an American mission control person, and will enjoy a one-week stay aboard the International Space Station. (I'm not sure how space travelers get back down these days, but that's a detail we can figure out later.)

You are one of 12 people who win a sweepstakes to go into the finals. You show up and compete against the other 11 in a decathlon of dairy-related contests. You do well in the cheese trivia and cow leaping contests, but struggle during the yogurt swim and bull riding.

You're in second place entering the final event, which butter eating. The first-place contestant, a charming young Bowdoin College coed, downs four sticks of butter, but with iron resolve you lay the hammer down and eat 5.5 sticks to take the win. She goes home with second prize, which is a year's supply of chocolate milk.

So you've won. The ISS trip is yours. But not everyone is excited about entering space. The Russians aren't into safety all that much, and it's a rough trip up, and space sickness happens, and if a 25-cent bolt fails you die gasping in absolute zero before your body falls into the sun.

So you have an option:

1. You can take the one-week trip to the ISS. All prize taxes and intermediate travel costs will be paid by the dairy.
2. You can take a one-time cash prize of $150,000, with all prize taxes paid by the dairy.

Which do you take?

**Bwana** · 02-25-2014, 03:27 PM

Show me the money.

**alnorth** · 02-25-2014, 03:28 PM

That one's a no-brainer. 150 grand isn't even that much money. If you multiplied that by a factor of 100 I'd have to think about it, but for just $150,000 send me up.

**The Franchise** · 02-25-2014, 03:29 PM

Easily the cash.

blaise · 02-25-2014, 03:29 PM

The money. Floating around in a space station doesn't interest me that much. Not unless it has warp speed and you can use it like Captain Kirk to cruise for chicks.

**The Franchise** · 02-25-2014, 03:30 PM

Wait....

Him?

or Her?

Katipan · 02-25-2014, 03:30 PM

I'd pick the money until my kids were of age, then send me to space.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-25-2014, 03:31 PM

Statistically, astronauts are more likely to die than cosmonauts.

C3HIEF3S · 02-25-2014, 03:31 PM

$150k no doubt.

Amnorix · 02-25-2014, 03:32 PM

I'll take the cash and the Bowdoin College coed.

**Rain Man** · 02-25-2014, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Statistically, astronauts are more likely to die than cosmonauts.

Okay. But their spacesuits aren't as cool looking.

Why Not? · 02-25-2014, 03:38 PM

Cash. I saw "Gravity" so same thing as being there

**Rain Man** · 02-25-2014, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

Cash. I saw "Gravity" so same thing as being there

You must have seen it in 3D.

BlackHelicopters · 02-25-2014, 03:40 PM

$$$$$$$$$

kepp · 02-25-2014, 03:43 PM

Money

View Poll Results: Which prize option would you take? (See back story in thread header.)
One-week trip to the International Space Station	21	35.59%
$150,000 in cash	37	62.71%
I would take neither. My real prize is in winning the contest in the first place.	1	1.69%
My answer depends on whether I can take my dog. My dog and I go everywhere together.	0	0%
Voters: 59. You may not vote on this poll

02-25-2014, 03:24 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3408491 VARSITY	Hypothetical: You win a trip into space, or ... Here's the scenario: Your local dairy decides to sponsor a "Cow Jumped Over The Moon" contest, where first prize is a one-week trip to space. The winner will go to central Russia, board some massive Russian rocket along with a Bulgarian cosmonaut and an American mission control person, and will enjoy a one-week stay aboard the International Space Station. (I'm not sure how space travelers get back down these days, but that's a detail we can figure out later.) You are one of 12 people who win a sweepstakes to go into the finals. You show up and compete against the other 11 in a decathlon of dairy-related contests. You do well in the cheese trivia and cow leaping contests, but struggle during the yogurt swim and bull riding. You're in second place entering the final event, which butter eating. The first-place contestant, a charming young Bowdoin College coed, downs four sticks of butter, but with iron resolve you lay the hammer down and eat 5.5 sticks to take the win. She goes home with second prize, which is a year's supply of chocolate milk. So you've won. The ISS trip is yours. But not everyone is excited about entering space. The Russians aren't into safety all that much, and it's a rough trip up, and space sickness happens, and if a 25-cent bolt fails you die gasping in absolute zero before your body falls into the sun. So you have an option: 1. You can take the one-week trip to the ISS. All prize taxes and intermediate travel costs will be paid by the dairy. 2. You can take a one-time cash prize of $150,000, with all prize taxes paid by the dairy. Which do you take?
Posts: 141,202

02-25-2014, 03:27 PM	#2
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139633647	Show me the money. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,728

02-25-2014, 03:28 PM	#3
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57176239	That one's a no-brainer. 150 grand isn't even that much money. If you multiplied that by a factor of 100 I'd have to think about it, but for just $150,000 send me up. __________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry
Posts: 36,130

02-25-2014, 03:29 PM	#4
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3195047	Easily the cash.
Posts: 91,935

02-25-2014, 03:29 PM	#5
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	The money. Floating around in a space station doesn't interest me that much. Not unless it has warp speed and you can use it like Captain Kirk to cruise for chicks.
Posts: 22,188

02-25-2014, 03:30 PM	#6
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3195047	Wait.... Him? or Her?
Posts: 91,935

02-25-2014, 03:30 PM	#7
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $2830351	I'd pick the money until my kids were of age, then send me to space. __________________ "Loving him is red."
Posts: 22,569

02-25-2014, 03:31 PM	#8
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Statistically, astronauts are more likely to die than cosmonauts. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
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02-25-2014, 03:31 PM	#9
C3HIEF3S Let's Get Weird Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Austin Casino cash: $9990098	$150k no doubt.
Posts: 15,229

02-25-2014, 03:32 PM	#10
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	I'll take the cash and the Bowdoin College coed. __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
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02-25-2014, 03:38 PM	#12
Why Not? In Search of a Life Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $3248994	Cash. I saw "Gravity" so same thing as being there
Posts: 21,663

02-25-2014, 03:40 PM	#14
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2800588	$$$$$$$$$ __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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02-25-2014, 03:43 PM	#15
kepp MVP Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $5399212	Money
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