"If your friends told you to jump off a bridge would you" is a bad analogy that should stop being used.

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Genipher

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2019
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#21
Reminds me of my brother. When he was a teen he and his best friend decided to climb up on friend's roof to "hang out". Instead of using the ladder to get down, friend jumped down. Of course, my brother had to follow. He ended up breaking his foot, needing surgery, and rode the short bus to school for weeks.
After that my family realized that if my brother's friends jumped off a bridge then yes, he would too. Cause he had zero common sense.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#22
I thînk its like $80 to jump off a bridge in NZ. with a bungee cord.
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,689
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#26
I agree that the jump off a bridge thing is kind of a false analogy because if my friends try to peer pressure me too smoke some crack or something, that's still not the same thing as jumping off a bridge
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,689
1,103
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#28
The principle is the same. Are you going to be a sheep or an individual?
Group compliance triggers the response reward part of the brain.
There have been all kinds of interesting studies about this
 

Papermonkey

Active member
Dec 2, 2022
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#29
I understand why people say it but I think it's an extreme example. I remember back in middle school, we will always have to lineup before we get out of the building. I was first in line and someone asked me to open the door because it was hot. I did, the teacher then scolded me asking why I opened the door. I said I was asked and she asked me "if they asked you to jump off a bridge, would you", I don't remember if I responded or not but when I got older I liked that question less and less. Of course I would not jump off a bridge. That is stupid, jumping off a bridge and opening a door are two different things. I don't see the point of being asked that, it removes context from the current situation, people will obvious not jump of a bridge, unless it was 2 feet tall or it was a life or death situation. Opening a door to let some air in because it is hot is not the same as being asked to jump off a tall bridge. Does anyone understand what the point of this is and why it's used as a learning tool for children?
I see it as a challenge for someone to commit to introspection regarding their chatacter.
You can be a Lemming, blind follower, and yes, jump off the bridge.

Or, a leader and walk away with the chorus of jumper screams ringing out at your back.
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,689
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#30
Well the heavens gate guy talk to people into drinking poison so I guess anything is possible
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
4,783
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#31
I understand why people say it but I think it's an extreme example. I remember back in middle school, we will always have to lineup before we get out of the building. I was first in line and someone asked me to open the door because it was hot. I did, the teacher then scolded me asking why I opened the door. I said I was asked and she asked me "if they asked you to jump off a bridge, would you", I don't remember if I responded or not but when I got older I liked that question less and less. Of course I would not jump off a bridge. That is stupid, jumping off a bridge and opening a door are two different things. I don't see the point of being asked that, it removes context from the current situation, people will obvious not jump of a bridge, unless it was 2 feet tall or it was a life or death situation. Opening a door to let some air in because it is hot is not the same as being asked to jump off a tall bridge. Does anyone understand what the point of this is and why it's used as a learning tool for children?
In this case it sounds to me that your teacher was pretty stupid.
One of those “I wanna beat you up types” as we’ve seen on other threads here which encourage the beating of children in schools.