Painting or the Cat

If the cockroach was just chillin next to the painting, sure I would take it outside.

Quote: RaleighCraps

life before objects has to draw a line somewhere, might just as well be the cockroach.
Sorry Louis LeBeau (this is too easy of a reference to be called obscure).

Who wants to be first to answer the show, actor, and the character name and actor of the person who used the term?
No responding if you have to look it up!

And for the record, mice and rats would also not merit saving.

Wasn't he the French guy on Hogan's Heroes? LeBeau was the name of the character, but I have no idea who the actor was. LeBeau could keep the camp's German shepherds quiet, and could cook pretty well, and was short, but other than that, I know nothing...nothing...

Cat's aren't allowed in Museums, so I'd take the painting since the cat is breaking the rules! (FYI - I have 3 cats)

Quote: RaleighCraps

life before objects has to draw a line somewhere, might just as well be the cockroach.

And for the record, mice and rats would also not merit saving.

Exactly. And there's nothing hypocritical about that. The painting people drew the line at (presumably) human life. We just lowered it to just above rodents. Everyone has the line somewhere.

Quote: cclub79

Exactly. And there's nothing hypocritical about that. The painting people drew the line at (presumably) human life. We just lowered it to just above rodents. Everyone has the line somewhere.

Maybe it is art itself that helps us to draw the line between cat and rodent. You see a lot more of the former in paintings than the latter.

Okay, here's my answer.

Rescue the painting.

If anyone asked me about the cat, I'd tell them, "I told him to run for it."

In all seriousness:

I am a mass murderer who happens to be a lifelong cat lover and would indeed attempt to rescue the cat despite its desires to run, hide or scratch and bite a rescuer. I'm not particularly fond of dogs but would probably try to rescue one anyway. I would definitely make no attempt to rescue a mouse, rat, cockroach, etc.

I am not particularly appreciative of art and have mostly lived amidst barren walls but have attended various gallery openings or other art shows and derived some enjoyment from such events. I would probably try to rescue the art as well but would surely rescue the cat first.

I would never be a fireman probably because I lack sufficient altruism but also because I could never tolerate the regimentation or the co-workers.

We all draw lines and most of them are indeed somewhat arbitrary and capricious and often do not withstand close examination even in hypothetical scenarios.

Quote: cclub79

Quote: DJTeddyBear

That's all well and good, but it's also the result of all those countless hours of training.

The original question was posed to ordinary people. The same type of people would would be running out of the burning building while the firefighter is running in.

But he said suppose you are a firefighter. That's what I did. I never had countless hours of training as a firefighter, yet I know how they prioritize.

I completely missed the part in the original question, "Suppose you are a firefighter."

Thanks for pointing that out.

Can I change my vote?

CAT. No doubt about it.

Quote: FleaStiff

In all seriousness:

I am a mass murderer who happens to be a lifelong cat lover and would indeed attempt to rescue the cat despite its desires to run, hide or scratch and bite a rescuer. I'm not particularly fond of dogs but would probably try to rescue one anyway. I would definitely make no attempt to rescue a mouse, rat, cockroach, etc.

I am not particularly appreciative of art and have mostly lived amidst barren walls but have attended various gallery openings or other art shows and derived some enjoyment from such events. I would probably try to rescue the art as well but would surely rescue the cat first.

I would never be a fireman probably because I lack sufficient altruism but also because I could never tolerate the regimentation or the co-workers.

We all draw lines and most of them are indeed somewhat arbitrary and capricious and often do not withstand close examination even in hypothetical scenarios.

You're a mass murderer?

Quote: FinsRule

You're a mass murderer?

+1 on being a little weirded out when I read that line.