Will you HARM someone to SAVE your own skin?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
March 10, 2007 11:21am CST
Alright folks, I hereby swear that the dream I am going to relate is a very real one. It happened some nights ago but I can still remember clearly what happened.
I was in an enclosed room and behind me was a heavy metal door - the type securing bank vaults. There was a handful of people in front of me but their faces were fuzzy in my dream. I did not know how I came to be there but as soon as I wondered why, I knew that we were being attacked by wasps - A LOT of wasps. I just knew we needed to get out and there was only one exit through that door. I also knew that beyond that door was a huge courtyard filled with many people. If I opened that door, many people will be attacked by the wasps. Yet if I don't, I don't know what would happen to me.
In the end, I made a quick decision. With the help of another person, I pushed open that door and rushed out. As I left, I shouted loud warnings for those outside to run because wasps are coming to attack. Somehow as soon as I broke free, I reached a safe place. Yet the moment I turned my head, I saw someone caught unaware and he was covered with wasps from head to toe. He was screaming hysterically and at that moment, I felt terribly guilty. I was thinking that this would not have happened to him if I had not opened the door. I knew the wasps would escape and hurt the people outside... yet I still opened that door.
Do you think I was wrong to open that door? Even though it was only a dream, it felt very real to me. I honestly have no idea how I would react if that dream is indeed real. How about you? Would you harm someone to save your own skin? Let's put away right or wrong and have an honest bare-it-all.
14 people like this
42 responses
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
10 Mar 07
Dreams often allow us to work some things out. Some are just bizarre. In your case the self preservation kicked in and you did shout as you exited and you had help to escape. So think about all those aspects as well. You also yelled warnings and thus any not listening was not according to nature strong enough to heed. Also it seems that if all would have stayed still the wasps would not have been so apt to sting. Where there no windows? Also once outside couldn't there have been water or another building to enter? Need more information.
Myself, it would take some thought and yes maybe a quick decision. I would hope to ponder all avenues and enlist help if available. Once something is done it is done. Over and gone.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
10 Mar 07
There were no windows. I did mention that the only way out was through the door behind. :P
2 people like this
@shvm11 (1)
• United States
10 Mar 07
hello friends!!!
The situation that is mentioned in the dream is quite critical, because on one hand it is our own life... and on other side... there are many people!
but when we think practically, it is sure shot that we will save our own life, afterall it is survival of fittest! and also, you also shouted and asked other people to run away.... that was also very practical and correct decision!!! afterall it was a quick decision b'coz of time limit!!! i fully support this!!!
4 people like this
@rainbow (6761)
•
10 Mar 07
I think sometimes the adrenaline takes over and most people wouuld do anything to escape from harm, especially the type you cannot defend yourself from.
I would usually say no I woud not harm another, however just the word wasp makes me feel sick so in this case I probably would although I would have tried to shut the door to stop them following us.
I have a very real fear of wasps and this is one of the only times I would have to be really selfish. I have left my home before because there is a wasp indoors or shut it on a room and phones mydad to come get it. Since I had my boys I always have spray and have to deal with them myself but uuuurgh.
5 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
10 Mar 07
I am going to be honest here. As humans, all humans, we first think of ourselves. Some are more self centered than others, but we all are to a degree. In a situation like you described, even though it was a dream and it felt real, I think, and I say think, as one never really knows what they would do until they are faced with the situation, I think everyone would have done the same as you. I hope tonight, you have a nicer dream my friend.
Nice post. I'm rating you a + again. Thank you.
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
10 Mar 07
I agree hon. We won't know what to do till the time comes. Or rather, what we do when the time comes may not even match what we think we would do.
I am rating you a + again too. :P
3 people like this
@sunsham68 (1376)
• India
4 Apr 07
I agree with this line of thought, however I would like to add, even while ensuring you are taking care of yourself, being nice about it (even under such circumstances, yes it should be possible) at least makes it easier on the others to accept what is handed to them..
@mrbranan (1012)
• United States
10 Mar 07
I think we all have dreams like that and you have to remember it was just a dream. It does bring up a vilid question. I don't know what I would do in that situation and I don't believe noone else does unless you are. I would hope I wouldn't open the door but I just don't know.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
10 Mar 07
Remember the man who was attacked and covered from head to toe with wasps? All of us in the room could have become like him. I just know there were many wasps.. MANY and they just magically appeared in our enclosed room (though I still don't know why I was in that room and it was certainly not a feeling of imprisonment or anything along that line).
1 person likes this
@djbtol (5493)
• United States
10 Mar 07
I'd find a new dream if I were you. As far as the wasps - it depends. If th people outside would merely get stung or have a some pain, then you could go out. If the people getting stung by the wasps would die, then I think you should stay where you are.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
10 Mar 07
If I am not doing lucid dreaming, I can't just find another dreams. Can't control man.. :P
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
11 Mar 07
gosh that is a very hard thing, but luckily for you it was a dream. I think you did the right thing, you don't have to be a martyr. You warned everyone of the danger and you yourself could have still attacked by the wasps as they chased after you. I think this is a situation where it is every man or woman for themselves.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Mar 07
Yes, when I tried to rationalise my behavior, I did try to console myself with the thought that at least I was repeatedly yelling warnings... I could have said nothing and quietly run away.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
10 Mar 07
i DEFINITELY WOULD OPEN THAT DOOR. aS FR AS SAVING MYOWN SKIN, iD SAVE MYSELF FIRST AS LONG AS IT WASNT MY BEST FRIEND OR FAMILY. tHATS ALL i CAN SAY. hUMAN NATURE TO HELP ME FIRST IS ALL.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Mar 07
Grandpa Bob, you are still using all caps. Don't shout at weeny me, alright? :P
1 person likes this
@greengal (4286)
• United States
10 Mar 07
Wasps! That just made me shudder war wiz, I have no idea what my reaction would have been if I had seen such a dream. I'm dreaming weird stuff all the time and sometimes I wake up all shaken up. It is human nature to save oneself first and then others. Nothing to feel guilty about at all and if I was in your place I would have done the same. Especially in a dream, the urgency to escape, go free, do things is more than in reality. It is not your fault that, that person was attacked, again I say it is destiny. You were meant to be saved and not him. Call me a freak but I believe all that happens is for a reason and was meant to be.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Mar 07
We can only be who we are, no more, no less.
1 person likes this
@shalwani (760)
• Pakistan
11 Mar 07
Well.. anyone in your place would have done the same thing i guess! But thi sdream of yours indicates something about your life and people around you. I would suggest that you should closely analyse your moves that are causing trouble to some people! Dreams often give us message sto improve our lives...
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Mar 07
I am causing trouble to others... I don't think so. Really. :P
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
10 Mar 07
I have to admit if your dream were true for me I would be selfish and open the door - I am allergic to wasp stings and could die. Under normal circumstances I would like to think that I would protect others over myself but I don't think anyone really knows for sure what they would do in a situation until they are actually in it.
4 people like this
@Cephoozee (373)
• United States
11 Mar 07
I think you did the right thing, because now only that one person was harmed by the wasps, while you saved a bunch of strangers you hardly knew (which mind you is a very heroic deed) that would all die, including yourself, had you not opened the door. I think this dream has a lot to do with sacrifice, one person may be hurt, but many more will survive because of that sacrifice. Now, the only thing that would have been more ideal that what you had done is tell the people inside to leave and warn the others that there were wasps in the chamber while you staid inside the chamber with the wasps and allow the others to escape. That would be an ultimate sacrifice, and you are sacrificing yourself, not volunteering someone else's life.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Mar 07
That person was the first and worse example I saw.. others were bitten too... people in the courtyard were all rushing for their lives in all directions..
1 person likes this
@monica1981 (466)
• United States
10 Mar 07
It wasn't wrong for you to open the door in my opinion. The stings would have probably killed you. At least outside the wasps would have more than one person to sting. Also, who's to say that every single person outside got stung? Yes, the one man was covered in wasps, maybe he did something to aggravate the wasps. Yes people would be injured, but chances are that no one got killed. Whereas, if you hadn't opened the door you definately would have been killed. I wouldn't worry about it, because I believe most people would have the same reaction.
2 people like this
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
10 Mar 07
Well I would have to save myself from the wasps as I hate them and I have a family to think about and I know they would not want me to be stuck in that enclosed door, with wasps stinging me so I would have to break free, but the poor people left behind.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
11 Mar 07
I'm no hero and I'm certainly no martyr...in fact, I'm a practicing coward.
I think it's built in to us to protect and save ourselves human nature being what it is. I might have tried to get as many out as possible and I might have saved a loved one first but really, who knows? It's certainly a fine line between 'selfishness' and 'selflessness'.
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
11 Mar 07
It is a fact that in order to save others, you have to save yourself first, even in a plane, you are supposed to put on your oxygen mask first then help someone else who needs it, and you're failing to see all those people inside your room that you saved, besides yourself. Because the people outside could still make it, but the people inside would've been doomed for sure if you hadn't found a way out. Of course, survival is a human instinct and a god given right, but it didn't sound to me like you endangered others to save your own skin, it was the best you could do with the situation you had, and you can't save everyone, the fact that you tried to is commendable but you're not a superhero and can only do so much.
That being said, interesting dream, i usually have dreams like that, heroic dreams where i have to save people or be their leader, and to tell you the truth, i can't always save everyone either, so if it's not possible in dreams then it's hardly probable in real life. Of course, my dreams are usually not wasp related although killer bees have made too many guest appearances, hey, you just gave me an idea to start a new topic. thanks for that, you'll see it soon.
2 people like this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
11 Mar 07
I honestly can't say if I will intentionally harm someone just to save my own skin. Yeah..I can be a good samaritan at times, but I think I will selfishly run for my own dear life. But when my girls are there, its the only time I can forget about myself.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
11 Mar 07
To save oneself disregard consequences is human nature. It is basic instinct unless that person has lost the will to live.
When one is caught unaware, who knows what will happen. What action one will take depends on his upbringing and belief. If you have not opened the door, there will be more than 1 being attacked. In other words, by opening the door, you have saved a handful. And probably because of that one person, your perspective may change and contribute more to mankind.
Many only say it is right or it is wrong only after knowing what happens. To me, it is the aftermath that matters. In such a situation, you just need to take the risk.
2 people like this
@fireofthestorm (15)
• United States
10 Mar 07
it's hard to say what u would do in a hypothetical situation like that, b/c u've not actually been faced w/ the problem. however, i am TERRIFIED of wasps, so don't feel bad, b/c i would have opened the door too. i don't think anyone wants to remain in a room full of attacking wasps.
2 people like this
