I was wondering, what people would actually do in that situation. Its somewhat expectable thing in some horror games, but i dont think i have seen the concept explored in this light.
Lets say you get an emergency message to your phone, the one they use to inform people of things like toxic chemical spills, accidents and everything. The message informs you to stay indoors and expressively says that you should not look outside no matter what, but does not clarify further why. And the message is repeated enough times that its clear its not joke/hoax/error.
What would you do?
I’d look, of course. Phenomena that can kill you just by looking at them exist only in horror stories and movies.
I would use a mirror and hope indirect viewing somehow blunted whatever effect the reason for looking is about. I mean it worked for medusa.
Look outside, obviously
Immediately
That’s how the famous book Day of the Triffids starts. Spoiler: doesn’t go well.
DO NOT LOOK AT THE MOON
I’d look at my camera feeds to see what’s outside without looking outside
Same. I’m too lazy sometimes that I’d rather check my camera feed instead of getting off the couch to look out the window.
One time i needed to go across the street to pick something up from another house. I used the live football on TV to see if it was still raining because it was at the local grounds. Getting up to twitch the curtains just seemed like effort.
Check online, see what’s going on.
Christmas lights being lit up!
Ho ho It’s the Christmas time yo!
If my chud family said not to I would, if a comrade said not to I’d ask what’s up
From past experience : I seem to be one of the ones that actually will not look outside.
One lesson I have paid attention to is when people say “learn from my mistakes”, and in this hypothetical, I would first think that we’re being told to avoid making a mistake someone else has made.
At least until I find out why we’re not looking outside, and can evaluate whether I will look. I’ll then promptly make whatever the wrong decision is after learning why.
Take a quick look outside to see if there’s actually anything going on, then go back to watever I was doing and keep an eye on the news to see who hacked the emergency alert system. Because no legitimate alert will say something that nonsensical without an explanation.
It’s one of the most annoying movie/TV tropes. “Don’t do this. Bad things will happen!” No explanation of what or why because there’s no time or “you wouldn’t understand.” So, of course, they do it. (And, so would I.)
Immediately kills suspension of disbelief.
How i thought about is that knowledge of the threat lowers your chance of survival so they have to be vague
Telling people not to do something with no compelling explanation will surely increase the odds of people doing that thing. Honestly, the better strategy would be to say nothing.
I can’t think of an example where knowledge of a threat lowers one’s chance of survival.
Look outside
To me it is never clear that’s it’s not a joke unless they explain. I’m just too skeptical to believe them.
Ask, “why”.
Santa hiding presents in your yeard. That’s why. 🤭
Any message that tells you to do something without any explanation provided is suspect.
