The story given below is quite interesting and really gives us an insight into decision-making.
Which one will you choose?
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids.
However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go on its way? Let's take a pause to think about what kind of decision we could make...
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was a rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us every day. In the office, community, politics, and in a democratic society, especially the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed tears for him.
The friend who forwarded me the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that the track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.
"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
From India, Indore
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Which one will you choose?
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. You could make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids.
However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go on its way? Let's take a pause to think about what kind of decision we could make...
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was a rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us every day. In the office, community, politics, and in a democratic society, especially the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed tears for him.
The friend who forwarded me the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that the track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.
If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.
"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
From India, Indore
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i Did not think of diverting the train, i thought to shout at the children who were playing in used track,,, :P :P :P
From India, Pune
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57From India, Pune
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Hi, Thats a very nice post....which is actually showing the ill effects of others thoughts and actions on people around them.....very nice.....thank you....
From India, New Delhi
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From India, New Delhi
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Very interesting - "What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right" is very true indeed. Consider Test cricket vs. one-day cricket - most cricketers say that test cricket is the real cricket, but it is the other form which is more popular. Art cinema vs. commercial cinema - "What is good is not necessarily successful and vice versa."
In the context of decision-making, politicians have no such dilemma. For their vote banks, they can make any decision heartlessly though it may neither be popular nor right just the way they are. In companies, smart subordinates who become popular are also sacrificed. The vanity of human beings also decides; not just the majority.
From India, New Delhi
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In the context of decision-making, politicians have no such dilemma. For their vote banks, they can make any decision heartlessly though it may neither be popular nor right just the way they are. In companies, smart subordinates who become popular are also sacrificed. The vanity of human beings also decides; not just the majority.
From India, New Delhi
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Food for thought.
Split-second decisions may not always, in retrospect, have been the right ones. Perhaps stopping to consider all the alternatives, even if it takes a few seconds longer, might have been a better bet. Also, I agree that shouting at the children playing on the active track to get off the track would have helped most, if not all, to escape, thus ensuring the train passengers' safety. Very interesting. I hope I too would have taken the correct decision, time permitting!
Jeroo
From India, Mumbai
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Split-second decisions may not always, in retrospect, have been the right ones. Perhaps stopping to consider all the alternatives, even if it takes a few seconds longer, might have been a better bet. Also, I agree that shouting at the children playing on the active track to get off the track would have helped most, if not all, to escape, thus ensuring the train passengers' safety. Very interesting. I hope I too would have taken the correct decision, time permitting!
Jeroo
From India, Mumbai
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Hi,
A good story. Believe me, it's logical to spare the boy who used the unused rail. He should be rewarded for his logical decision!! Keep learning!! Prasanth Nair www.nnair.8m.com
From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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A good story. Believe me, it's logical to spare the boy who used the unused rail. He should be rewarded for his logical decision!! Keep learning!! Prasanth Nair www.nnair.8m.com
From United Arab Emirates, Dubai
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Excellent story, very practical, and no one should call it a story at all but a real incident instead. Such stories or revelations stir up our conscience. Thank you, my friend. Keep sending such posts.
Regards,
Ganesh Ramachandran
From India, Tiruppur
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Regards,
Ganesh Ramachandran
From India, Tiruppur
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It is really a challenge for anyone. But I am not in favor of sacrificing a righteous child at the cost of those who know that the track they are using is functional and in use. Moreover, in this particular case, the sound of the train will also be helpful to make a timely decision to avoid any mishap. Certainly, one right cannot be sacrificed to save many wrongs.
Manmohan Guleria
manmohanguleria@gmail.com
From Italy, Segrate
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Manmohan Guleria
manmohanguleria@gmail.com
From Italy, Segrate
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its really a very good story and gives the morale to take the right decision at any any circumstances.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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Really good work for the brain. You have done a good job by sharing it with others. It is a very important matter that everyone in this world should think about. Thanks again for posting this story.
Regards,
Sharmilaa.
From Sri Lanka, Colombo
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Regards,
Sharmilaa.
From Sri Lanka, Colombo
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Hi friend,
I must tell you, it was really good one... Especially the last lines: "Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right." I'll start thinking on that.
Thank you so much.
Warm regards,
Rashmi
From India, Hyderabad
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I must tell you, it was really good one... Especially the last lines: "Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right." I'll start thinking on that.
Thank you so much.
Warm regards,
Rashmi
From India, Hyderabad
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Good story and exercise. Stimulate lot of thinking. EAsy example for decision process. Ram K Navaratna HR Resonance
From India, Bangalore
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From India, Bangalore
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Hi,
This is very relevant to our day-to-day decision-making, and I will henceforth be more analytical before making decisions. However, decisions should be quick, as many times delayed decisions are almost useless.
DM
From India, Raipur
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This is very relevant to our day-to-day decision-making, and I will henceforth be more analytical before making decisions. However, decisions should be quick, as many times delayed decisions are almost useless.
DM
From India, Raipur
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One thing is good, "we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one. Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
From India, Indore
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From India, Indore
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Hi Dear Sharma,
I am a student of BBA (Hons). Would you please mail me some information about "PRODUCT LINE", "PRODUCT MIX", and "PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION"? It is very important for me because the day after tomorrow, I am going to present these topics in class.
Thank you,
Saifullah
BBA 4th Semester
Peshawar Business School
Peshawar, Pakistan
Email: saif_pk95@yahoo.com
From Pakistan
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I am a student of BBA (Hons). Would you please mail me some information about "PRODUCT LINE", "PRODUCT MIX", and "PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION"? It is very important for me because the day after tomorrow, I am going to present these topics in class.
Thank you,
Saifullah
BBA 4th Semester
Peshawar Business School
Peshawar, Pakistan
Email: saif_pk95@yahoo.com
From Pakistan
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Request
Hi, dear friends, I am a student of BBA (Hons). Would someone please mail me a general idea with examples about "PRODUCT LINE", "PRODUCT MIX", and "PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION". Please, friends, it's very important for me because the day after tomorrow I am going to present these topics in class.
Thanks,
Saifullah
BBA 4th Semester
Peshawar Business School
Peshawar, Pakistan
Email: [IMG]https://www.citehr.com/misc.php?do=email_dev&email=c2FpZl9wazk1QH lhaG9vLmNvbQ==[/IMG]
From Pakistan
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Hi, dear friends, I am a student of BBA (Hons). Would someone please mail me a general idea with examples about "PRODUCT LINE", "PRODUCT MIX", and "PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION". Please, friends, it's very important for me because the day after tomorrow I am going to present these topics in class.
Thanks,
Saifullah
BBA 4th Semester
Peshawar Business School
Peshawar, Pakistan
Email: [IMG]https://www.citehr.com/misc.php?do=email_dev&email=c2FpZl9wazk1QH lhaG9vLmNvbQ==[/IMG]
From Pakistan
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Prashant,
If there were a third alternative, like stopping the train in a completely different manner, I would resort to it, as none of the lives would have gone to waste. But only if there were two alternatives, I would spare none, because either way, both the children were wrong. There is a playground to play, not the tracks, whether used or unused.
From India, Nagpur
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If there were a third alternative, like stopping the train in a completely different manner, I would resort to it, as none of the lives would have gone to waste. But only if there were two alternatives, I would spare none, because either way, both the children were wrong. There is a playground to play, not the tracks, whether used or unused.
From India, Nagpur
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Hey Prashant, This was a really touching story. You are right. Actually people make such hasty decision n the common people have to suffer for it. Regards, Natasha
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Hi Prasant,
Really good story! Puts one's decision-making skills to the test. The moral of the story is illuminating. If it influences a few great minds, it will make a great difference. Keep sharing. Thanks.
Regards,
Priyanka
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Really good story! Puts one's decision-making skills to the test. The moral of the story is illuminating. If it influences a few great minds, it will make a great difference. Keep sharing. Thanks.
Regards,
Priyanka
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Dear Sir,
In the English literature series, Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'—as the saying goes, 'to be or not to be'—decision-making involves psychological theories to make better assumptions. The person involved in making decisions carries with them a list of psychological challenges as well as mental care within themselves.
In my opinion, the best priority is to let the train pass on the right track, even though it may harm a few kids while saving the train and its passengers. My intuition tells me that as the train nears the kids, at least some kids are aware of the approaching train, while others may heed the warning sounds of the train.
My hunch is that, most probably, these local kids have lived and played there for decades with the knowledge of the passing train. So why worry so much about them?
Furthermore, what if accidents do occur, and all the communities involved become aware of their adamant parents and kids accepting their fate and learning bitter lessons for decades? Local authorities should be well aware of that matter.
Thank you.
From Malaysia, George Town
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In the English literature series, Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'—as the saying goes, 'to be or not to be'—decision-making involves psychological theories to make better assumptions. The person involved in making decisions carries with them a list of psychological challenges as well as mental care within themselves.
In my opinion, the best priority is to let the train pass on the right track, even though it may harm a few kids while saving the train and its passengers. My intuition tells me that as the train nears the kids, at least some kids are aware of the approaching train, while others may heed the warning sounds of the train.
My hunch is that, most probably, these local kids have lived and played there for decades with the knowledge of the passing train. So why worry so much about them?
Furthermore, what if accidents do occur, and all the communities involved become aware of their adamant parents and kids accepting their fate and learning bitter lessons for decades? Local authorities should be well aware of that matter.
Thank you.
From Malaysia, George Town
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Dear Sir,
In the English Literature series, Shakespeare's 'HAMLET' famously states 'to be or not to be,' implying that decision-making involves psychological theories to make better assumptions. The individual making decisions carries with them a list of psychological challenges, as well as the responsibility for their own mental well-being.
In my opinion, I believe that minimal harm is acceptable for the greater good. The best priority, in my view, is to ensure the train stays on the right track, even if it means risking harm to a few children while saving the train and its passengers. My intuition suggests that as the train approaches the children, some may be aware of the impending danger, while others may react to the sound of the train's approach.
I suspect that, most probably, these local children have been living and playing in that area for decades, likely accustomed to the passing train. So, why worry excessively about their safety?
Furthermore, in the event of accidents, all the communities involved would become aware of the consequences, leading parents and children to acknowledge their roles and learn from the experience over time. It is crucial for the local authorities to be well-informed about this matter.
Thank you.
From Malaysia, George Town
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In the English Literature series, Shakespeare's 'HAMLET' famously states 'to be or not to be,' implying that decision-making involves psychological theories to make better assumptions. The individual making decisions carries with them a list of psychological challenges, as well as the responsibility for their own mental well-being.
In my opinion, I believe that minimal harm is acceptable for the greater good. The best priority, in my view, is to ensure the train stays on the right track, even if it means risking harm to a few children while saving the train and its passengers. My intuition suggests that as the train approaches the children, some may be aware of the impending danger, while others may react to the sound of the train's approach.
I suspect that, most probably, these local children have been living and playing in that area for decades, likely accustomed to the passing train. So, why worry excessively about their safety?
Furthermore, in the event of accidents, all the communities involved would become aware of the consequences, leading parents and children to acknowledge their roles and learn from the experience over time. It is crucial for the local authorities to be well-informed about this matter.
Thank you.
From Malaysia, George Town
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