Umbrella Waiting Theorem

Random thought. Could you rate an aspet of society's social attitude by an umbrella theorem?

The situation:

  • It is raining at a medium level, where a umbrella is warranted
  • There is approximately 100 people waiting for the same bus
  • 50% have umbrellas, 50% do not have umbrellas
  • They are all spread out evenly and in a random fashion
  • No one knows how long it will be before the bus arrives, but it could be a while in the rain
  • Everyone is a stranger to each other and a young worker age
  • It is obvious to everyone that using an umbrella would be good to have and use
  • There is no reason hindering the people from sharing the umbrella
The question:

Can you base an aspect of the society based on how many people share their umbrellas with someone who doesn't?

The thought:

A society where everyone shares their umbrella is empathetic, collaborative society that has a collective good and has no (or feels no) issues to cover a stranger from the rain.

A society where no one shares their umbrella is a society that could be many things, but overall it is one where the individual does not feel it is worth the action to cover the stranger form the rain. There is something holding them back or they do not consider helping the stranger around them.

A society where the results are mixed show a society with a mix of the above thoughts.

The after thought:

  • Which society do you want to live in
  • Which society do you currently live in
  • What would you do if you had the umbrella
  • What have you done when you had the umbrella
  • Does the situation even matter
  • One type of society creates the outcomes above

Just a random thought. Definitely something that can be corrected and expanded on.


- A Writer