The Stanley Parable (Book edition)
(The video:)
Choice. It's the best part of being a real person, but if used incorrectly can also be the most dangerous.
For example: In this scenario, a hypothetical real person named Steven has a choice.
He could spend years helping improve the quality of life for citizens of impoverished third-world nations, or he could systematically set fire to every orphan living in a thirty kilometer radius of his house.
Which choice would you make?
Remember that unlike here, the real world makes sense and at no time should you make a choice that does not conform to rational logic.
If you find yourself speaking with a person who does not make sense, in all likelihood, that person is not real.
Allow the person to finish their thought then provide an excuse why you cannot continue talking. Turn to a partner and practice saying: "My goodness. Is it 4:30? I am supposed to be having a back sack and crack."
...
Excellent. Making choices on a regular basis is the best part to a healthy decision-making process.
Most medical professionals recommend making at least eight choices per day. Do you make more than eight? Less?
And finally, if you begin to wonder if your choices are actually meaningful and whether you'll ever make a significant contribution to the world,
Just remember, that in the vast infiniteness of space, your thoughts and problems are materially insignificant and the feeling should subside.
At this time, your instructor will guide you in an exercise to test and reinforce the material covered in this video.
Choice. It's the best part of being a real person, but if used incorrectly can also be the most dangerous.
For example: In this scenario, a hypothetical real person named Steven has a choice.
He could spend years helping improve the quality of life for citizens of impoverished third-world nations, or he could systematically set fire to every orphan living in a thirty kilometer radius of his house.
Which choice would you make?
Remember that unlike here, the real world makes sense and at no time should you make a choice that does not conform to rational logic.
If you find yourself speaking with a person who does not make sense, in all likelihood, that person is not real.
Allow the person to finish their thought then provide an excuse why you cannot continue talking. Turn to a partner and practice saying: "My goodness. Is it 4:30? I am supposed to be having a back sack and crack."
...
Excellent. Making choices on a regular basis is the best part to a healthy decision-making process.
Most medical professionals recommend making at least eight choices per day. Do you make more than eight? Less?
And finally, if you begin to wonder if your choices are actually meaningful and whether you'll ever make a significant contribution to the world,
Just remember, that in the vast infiniteness of space, your thoughts and problems are materially insignificant and the feeling should subside.
At this time, your instructor will guide you in an exercise to test and reinforce the material covered in this video.