Umm... I never thought of the native islander that way. It's a valid argument. However, I was hoping that the native islander could bring his/her knowledge of how to survive well in the jungle to the group. This could be very beneficial.

In terms of the tycoon. Yes, it depends. I have to agree that the tycoon should possess some intelligence and good decision making skills in order to be successful in business, unless it's was handed to him/her.

Boy, that's why this exercise is difficult. There are always more than a few ways to look at any choice on the list. I feel ignorant.

How about the atheist??? What values can we assume that the atheist would have?
I really like to hear what you all think about this one.

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"The definition of the atheist here is someone who does not believe in ANY higher power at all. Regardless of religious choices or spiritual beliefs, if one believes in any form of higher power, he/she will NOT be a atheist."

In terms of survival, it really doesn't matter if a person believes in a higher power.

I've known, and been friends with, too many atheists to say that just because they don't believe in God they don't have good values or morals.

Atheist does not automatically equal anarchist. In fact, the fact that an atheist does not believe in an after life means that (more than likely) they will do all they can to insure a successful life here on Earth.

Plus, most atheists I know are highly intelligent - so would be a boon to having on the island, as they would come up with good ideas and ways to do things.

I do not know many atheists. However, the ones I know are very intelligent and practical like you said.

I think belief in a higher power enables a person view the world in a different way. It is true that a person's spiritual beliefs influence his/her judgment. However, in terms of survival, atheists' practical view of the world would probably be good for the group as well.

Is any one voting off the feminist? In the group I was in, a "woman" voted off the feminist!!!

When I think of a feminist, I think of a woman of independence, often intelligent and can think critically. These are good traits to have for survival.

What other values can a feminist bring to the desert island? What does a feminist mean to you?

Cop with a gun
No guns on the island. That gives one person a huge "power" advantage over everyone else. Also, I think the presence of a gun might create an atmosphere of distrust/fear--not good if you want people working together for the good of all.

Pregnant teenager with HIV
I don't think it would be wise to introduce an incurable disease to the island. Also, both the teen and the baby will (at least eventually) be a drain on resources.

Ex-Convict
Not all ex-cons are bad people, of course, but there's a chance an ex-con might be a hardened criminal. If so, that's not someone I'd want to hang out with.

The cop and the teen were sort of "no-brainers" for me, but the ex-con I wasn't sure about, for several reasons. First, to survive prison you have to be tough, and that toughness and tenacity might be a great help on a deserted island. Second, some "criminal" skills/knowledge (being able to steal, kill, etc.) might be *really* helpful to have when you're in survivalist mode. If the ex-con were reformed and cooperative, I'd keep him/her on the island and go with someone else.

Hi Nancy,
Good choices! There is only one thing... Even though the cop with a gun obviously has an unfair advantage over others. However, wouldn't he/she or the gun comes in handy sometimes while facing physical dangers on the island? I would hope that he/she is a good cop!

That's a good point...I didn't really consider the protection aspect of the gun. Just the social repercussions.

I think that's because of the island itself. If the stranding had taken place in a forest or a savanna or something, I think I would have seen the gun as necessary (vs. grizzly bears, or cheetahs, or whatever else). But I'm not sure how big the animals on an island tend to get. (Or need to be, really. The prey is probably not that big.) Though I guess it all depends upon the size and location of the island.

In any case, this was really fun to think about. Great topic!

This is a most fascinating topic!

As I read each post, I realized that it was really all about labels. The way a person is labeled truly colors each other people's perception, then judgement of them, and their personal value. If the person is labeled "A," "B," or "C," etc. it's easy to assume any number of things about them - depending on your personal filtering system, life experiences, etc.

For instance, if a woman is labeled "prostitute," she may also be any number of other things. She is somebodies "daughter;" could be a "sister," "mother," "aunt," "artist," "singer," "poet," etc. On both the Montel Show, and Dr. Phil more recently, they covered the new Human Trade Ring that is going on in America right now. These guys kidnap, then sell girls and boys online to anyone who wants to buy them, or put them on the street, and they become instant, unwilling prostitutes. Would it be fair then, to include one of them in the list - the rest of the story unknown?

And I wonder why we got to know that the pregnant teen had HIV, but we didn't know whether the prostitute was infected with anything. As human beings making judgement on others, sometimes we are faced with making assumptions about them, sometimes based on fear, sometimes on benefit of the doubt.

Sometimes we get to choose how we are labeled in society, and sometimes we don't. Like, as a multidimensional human being, if your "label" were on the list, what would it be, and would other people agree with your personal "label?" How interesting to put a value on a particular label, then stand in line to be accepted or rejected based on that one label...

Shay

Hmmm - that would make this discussion VERY interesting.

If we each had to give our selves a 3 word description - anonymous of course, and then see who would pick each of us to take!