We used to have one of these roaming around my college compaci lab, hooked up to a big red bluetooth button that would recompile the neurological structure when pressed. When we were feeling particularly nasty (or they were waxing particularly poetic), we used to challenge the humanities majors to push the button and 'kill' the worm.
I'm not particularly proud of the fact I made quite a few people break down completely with the implications of asking them to do that - or more sadistically, by repeatedly pressing the button and asking them why it mattered. I got punched in the face by a vegan for that one, which was fair enough tbh. Anyways, the reality of the project really isnt something most people are prepared to address.
I think it's good that you made some people come to solid conclusions regarding their views on the matter, but I'm sure it didn't win you many friends.
I don't know why the person you're replying to causes me so much revulsion. Probably resonates with some people I'm not in touch. Anyways, live moves on and I decided to block that person.
I had a former summer camp kid come up and credit me with having given them their "first existential crisis" (for explaining that when you die, "you just cease") which I am proud of.
They were actually pretty grateful, feeling it had set them up for a lot of positive realizations down the line. We play D&D now and they're working on their masters, so I guess they weren't too badly scarred...
I wouldn't intentionally give a childhood a existential crisis, no, but I'm sure I could inadvertently. Didn't mean it to feel like an interrogation, sorry. Was just curious.