Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke Okay, a Buddhist, a Christian and an Atheist are each stranded by themselves on a remote desert island. (Hey, it could happen). There is sufficient food, fresh water and shelter to sustain life, but little chance of rescue.
Who would stay mentally strong the longest, and why?
Are they on 3 separate islands or together by themselves, collectively, on one island?
Originally posted by divegeester Are they on 3 separate islands or together by themselves, collectively, on one island?
The 'each' in the OP suggests three separate islands (and most of us missed it). But there is no harm in answering the question for both situations. Although I still maintain that almost nothing can be said given the enormous variation in people. Its similar to asking which of the three will be the tallest. One could possibly do some statistical analysis and say the Buddhist will most likely be the shortest.
Originally posted by divegeester Are they on 3 separate islands or together by themselves, collectively, on one island?
Yes, three separate islands. (To exclude the possibility of collaboration from the analogy).
Twitehead is right of course, I over simplified in the OP and people are not that one dimensional. That said, a person's faith or lack of faith (generally speaking) would be a major factor I'd argue in how they'd cope with prolonged isolation and despair. But admittedly this would vary from person to person.
Originally posted by wolfgang59 Desert Island does not just refer to those cartoon sand humps with one palm tree!
It is because they are deserted.
Yes, I see now that somehow, a "desert" island and a "deserted" island have become the same thing in the collective unconscious. Why this is, eludes me.
Originally posted by Suzianne Yes, I see now that somehow, a "desert" island and a "deserted" island have become the same thing in the collective unconscious. Why this is, eludes me.
"Desert Island" has always meant a remote tropical island that is uninhabited and has not meant anything else. It may have meant something different to you (for some reason that eludes you) and now you have been set straight, but I don't think you're entitled to claim that there has been some sort of change in "the collective unconscious". 😉
Originally posted by Suzianne Yes, I see now that somehow, a "desert" island and a "deserted" island have become the same thing in the collective unconscious. Why this is, eludes me.
The words root refers to an abandoned place empty of people. Both desserts and dessert islands fit that description, but for different reasons.
Originally posted by twhitehead The words root refers to an abandoned place empty of people. Both desserts and dessert islands fit that description, but for different reasons.
Originally posted by twhitehead The 'each' in the OP suggests three separate islands (and most of us missed it). But there is no harm in answering the question for both situations. Although I still maintain that almost nothing can be said given the enormous variation in people. Its similar to asking which of the three will be the tallest. One could possibly do some statistical analysis and say the Buddhist will most likely be the shortest.
It depends on so much:
Fitness, character, psychological resilience, knowledge of survival tactics, willingness to eat unpleasant foodstuffs to name a few.
There are many religionists I would not want to be trapped in a room with for more than 20 minutes let alone stranded on an island. Same goes for atheists I suppose.
Originally posted by Suzianne Yes, I see now that somehow, a "desert" island and a "deserted" island have become the same thing in the collective unconscious. Why this is, eludes me.
Huh!? I thought it was dessert island, you know, loaded with apple pies and ice cream and Black Forest chocolate cakes. There's a problem with that ??
Originally posted by moonbus Huh!? [b]I thought it was dessert island, you know, loaded with apple pies and ice cream and Black Forest chocolate cakes. There's a problem with that ??[/b]
I was wondering when someone would use this joke. Took you long enough.
Next time a thread about dolphins is made, please respond with a "porpoise" pun in a more timely manner.
Originally posted by twhitehead The words root refers to an abandoned place empty of people. Both desserts and dessert islands fit that description, but for different reasons.
09 May '16 08:081 edit
Desert Island
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