Would you rather be reborn a woman or a man in the USA in 2015 (from a Rawlsian veil of ignorance)

SirNemesis · 2015-10-09T13:55:43+00:00

The philosopher Robert Nozick had a thought experiment where he asked people to imagine themselves be put into a happiness machine. It was literally the matrix but it just makes you unbelievably happy and think you're living the best life ever. When asked, most people said they would not trade the real world for the machine. However, when asked the opposite question (what if you were told you're in a happiness machine, would you like to be unplugged?), people said they would not. It turns out that people generally want to live the life they're living, not the best life. That means this question is probably inherently flawed and people are gonna have a trouble answering it in a meaningful way. Most people are just gonna choose the gender they have now without legitimately comparing the differences.

[deleted] · 2015-10-09T12:50:10+00:00

Male. If you truly rock at life, you can have it better than basically any woman. Of course, if you don't rock at life, you'll probably have it worse, but I'd rather go for the gold (men) than get a participation ribbon just for being born (women).

bromance946 · 2015-10-09T14:20:24+00:00

A man, duh.

ManRAh · 2015-10-09T18:32:13+00:00

Objectively, I should want to be born a woman. Less risk of homelessness and incarceration. More social and economic support. Less risk of violence against my person. Better educational prospects. And on top of all that, if I'm at least moderately attractive I can choose to have kids with someone who will support me while I stay at home and just raise our children. All at fairly meager cost.

Subjectively, as CisWM brought up, I like my life and wouldn't want to be born a different person, man or woman. However, if you asked me if I would like to hit "Reset" on life and grow up with different privileges... sure... I'd be open to that. But as I am, I can only imagine enjoying my experiences, not those of the opposite sex.

wuboo · 2015-10-09T15:56:03+00:00

I'd roll a die:

1 or 3 - a woman

2 or 4 - a dude

5 - a golden retriever

6 - a jellyfish

alreadyredschool · 2015-10-09T12:43:46+00:00

A man, the chances to find trp are rising every year. Yes, male, with trp life on easy mode seems nice.

TheGreasyPole · 2015-10-09T12:57:17+00:00

Man, you KNOW how to suck me in....

A Rawlsian veil of ignorance ? I love this shit.

I think I would still pick male, but that is only because I have the internal drives and preferences of a male. It's kinda hard to imagine anything else.

Obviously, for a temporary assignment, I'd give being a lesbian a try. But permanently ? Gotta go with being a male.

You are right that there is more variation in mens experience.

But my personal innate preferences are to grab that big risk/reward opportunity and turn it into a reward because as a male I'm kinda wired that way.

He who dares wins, Rodders. He who dares, my son.

cats_or_get_out · 2015-10-09T14:53:46+00:00

Either.

Both are very different and face their own sets of challenges and opportunities.

I like being a woman in my traditional, feminine career (librarian). I enjoy the friendships I have with other women. I like being a wife and a mom.

If I were a man, I'd probably find a whole bunch of different and delightful things. I would certainly enjoy having my husband's IDGAF attitude. I probably would join the military and be a grunt or--if I were very clever--a fighter pilot.

rulenumber303 · 2015-10-09T17:02:17+00:00

I think I'll take the eternal abyss over being born American kthx.

[deleted] · 2015-10-09T17:59:46+00:00

Woman is the safe bet.

MuslimGoku · 2015-10-10T08:39:37+00:00

I've always said that if I could just change my gender for just a day, just one day, I'd go and rob a bank naked. With only a mask. Then I'd burry the money some place safe until I'm male again. And when the police storm my home and take me in for questioning, I'll just say that the robber is clearly female, and I'm a guy.

Sorry for the dumb response, every point I wanted to make about being born male or female was already made. :p

[deleted] · 2015-10-09T12:58:12+00:00

As long as I'm born at least a 6 or above: man.

5 and below: woman.

99_Problem · 2015-10-09T16:05:11+00:00

A man, and for the same reason(s) you would want to be a woman.

Why would you ever want to be lukewarm?

betterdeadthanbeta · 2015-10-09T16:42:52+00:00

I have to be honest with myself and admit that if I was a chick, i would be a tattoeed, pierced, chain smoking, bar hopping, multi cock taking, scheming, careerist, selfish bitch of a woman.

Seems like a blast, and nowadays you can get away with it.

muddynips · 2015-10-09T17:33:16+00:00

With all current memories erased? Easily a woman. I like free shit.

DaThrowaway808 · 2015-10-09T17:49:41+00:00

Woman - Multiple orgasms

lodro · 2015-10-09T22:56:35+00:00

Rough choice. Being male is obviously preferable in this society - if you know what you're doing, you can easily dominate and have a fantastic life. But being a male baby in the USA is a gamble because you might lose your dick-skin. :-/

Can I be Canadian?

[deleted] · 2015-10-09T23:41:58+00:00

I would rather be a man because at least they're not limited by periods and other bs. If I were a man I could possibly be less insane .

[deleted] · 2015-10-10T00:38:03+00:00

Am I still white? Middle-upper class? A dude...no more periods or cramps...yeah!

adrixshadow · 2015-10-10T08:25:43+00:00

Male since I don't like how females think and have little will.

Gnometard · 2015-10-10T15:57:33+00:00

I'd be a chick. All I'd have to do is exercise and eat right to get all the benefits. Free food, constant validation, and a black and white view of the world. Seems like the way to go

eastbaythrowaway22 · 2015-10-12T02:24:24+00:00

The correct answer is dog in a good household. Those little buddies have it made.

cravenravens · 2015-10-12T06:41:25+00:00

If I kept the same personality, I'd rather be a man. The things society expects from men suit me better.

Xemnas81 · 2015-10-09T13:05:00+00:00

A woman but I would need to be quality genetic stock.

DietCokeImOnMyKnees · 2015-10-09T12:30:26+00:00

I was born female and really don't want to/can't imagine myself feeling happy in a male body. Thus why I have a lot of sympathy for transgender people.

Anyone who says they want to be born the opposite gender and doesn't have some form of gender dysphoria is lying. Either that or they want to complain and be a victim and make it look like being their gender is hard. Be glad you were born with the genitals your brain is happy with.

[deleted] · 2015-10-09T13:38:32+00:00

I don't think being another gender would make dating in particular easier, it just presents a different set of challenges either way.

That said, thinking about life in general, if I'm honest I would choose to be reborn as a woman. Seems pretty much like life on easy mode. Less responsibility, much easier to manipulate people. And if I needed easy money I could make a lot of it from charging for sex. Much more difficult to do that as a straight male.

Drenzard · 2015-10-10T00:30:17+00:00

Female, definitely. Would love to cruise through life being coddled, validated by the sisterhood, and orbited by men who always step on eggshells around me. Hell, I could pretty much say or do whatever I want and either be thought of as a victim or a wonderful person no matter what.

mashakos · 2015-10-11T07:52:29+00:00

This is a good question. Men have a tougher time defining themselves in this world - as a woman if all else fails you can be a stay at home mother. Not that being a mother is in any way easy but it is a Get Out of Jail card in terms of life choices. There is no such card for men, we have to make our own way in the world, establish ourselves by defining why we are here.

Having said that, the reward for establishing yourself is much greater for men. If as a man you succeed, society recognises your achievements. You are rewarded with status and prestige, you can get your way much more easily. The achievements of women are not as recognised.

So yes, I would prefer to be reborn as a male.

Title	Would you rather be reborn a woman or a man in the USA in 2015 (from a Rawlsian veil of ignorance)
Author	DietCokeImOnMyKnees
Upvotes	11
Comments	68
Date	October 9, 2015 12:18 PM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/PurplePillDebate
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/PurplePillDebate/comments/3o3can/would_you_rather_be_reborn_a_woman_or_a_man_in/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/PurplePillDebate/would-you-rather-be-reborn-a-woman-or-a-man-in-the.279176 https://theredarchive.com/post/279176

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