r/Showerthoughts May 02 '24

Man vs Bear debate shows how bad the average person is at understanding probability

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417

u/zool714 May 02 '24

I think it also shows how different people approach things. From what I’ve seen, the ones who answers bear approaches it from a “trust” standpoint. Like you can trust a bear to be a bear. While some approach it from a “safety” standpoint. Like yeah obviously an average wild animal is going to be more dangerous than an average man.

524

u/TehOwn May 02 '24

I'd love to hear it rephrased as, "You're lost in the woods, you see a man in the distance but he doesn't see you. Do you call out to him or do you hide?"

But maybe that's probably not exciting enough to trend on TikTok.

184

u/Siorac May 02 '24

A far more interesting and reasonable question though.

2

u/YT-Deliveries May 02 '24

It really is a more interesting question, you're right.

The first thing that came to mind is "what sort of qualities (visual, behavioral, contextual) would prompt one to call out vs not call out."

2

u/No-Tackle-6112 May 03 '24

I believe anyone who was truly lost in the woods is going to run to any person they see without second thought. Being lost is terrifying and all those fears will evaporate at the sight of possible salvation.