Fun question

[SRT4kid93]

Let's say you were put into a room with 100 people. Their salaries range from 35k to 1 million per year. (The split is even to make things fair, so 25 people in the 35k to 75k range, 25 people on the 75k to 200k range, etc)

and you would randomly switch salaries with 1 of those people. But it's completely random

would you do it ?

[JoeRockhead]

I don't know how fun that would be for anyone aside from someone on the lowest end of the spectrum.  

[SRT4kid93]

It's fun to think about the scenario.  Not actually being in the scenario. 

It's a gamble. are you the type of person to take a chance or not?

even if you make 100 grand, there's a chance you walk away making 800-900 grand. Some people are natural risk takers. Adrenaline junkies, etc. Therefore a scenario like this could be fun to think about. 

If you are naturally someone who never likes to gamble to take chances. It probably isn't fun to think about.

[ptatohed]

Well, I am in the lower 50% at the $75k - $200k range so I guess I have a 50/50 of being in the $200k - $1M group?  Not sure it's worth a 50/50.  Although, I guess I could survive if the worse case happened - 'gulp' $35k/yr.   

[1lifeisworthit]

Will this Salary Change automatically come with the knowledge needed to do that profession?

Or will we get fired for incompetence shortly after we quantum leap into the cab of a semi going 80 through Chicago, or into a heart surgeon's theater while operating a robotic scalpel?

Because if that's the case, I'm looking at my lost former income, my lost subsequent income, and probably prison time... Probably not worth it.

[SRT4kid93]

@1lifeisworthit 

It's up to you. You can either

1)  do the same exact job you do now, just for less money

2) take the job that person was doing (along with all the knowledge needed to do that job very well, so that way you will be eligible for promotions when they come up. So In other words you won't be stuck at that salary forever)

im giving you the choice because I don't want your decision to be tainted by the job itself. For example if the person who's job you took was a corner and you couldn't do that job. 

@ptatohed 

keep in mind the split is even. So there is only 1-2 people who make 35k. The rest of the people in the range will make more. 1/2 at 40k, 1/2 at 45k, etc. so your chances of making less than say 50,000 are only 3-6%

[1lifeisworthit]

Since I get the knowledge, so that I can competently do that job, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and gamble my income rises.

Thanks for the answer.

[SRT4kid93]

@1lifeisworthit 

For what it's worth. I am in the same range as you (180,000) and I think I would absolutely take the gamble. 

With an even split. There's a 25% chance I fall in the 35-75k range. And a 25% chance I fall in the same range I'm already in, and 25% chance I fall in the 200k-500k range. And 25% chance I fall in the 500k-1 million range.

if I were to fall in the  same range I'm already in, there's a good chance I would land close to where I'm already at. 125-200 range. And a lesser chance I fall into the 75k-125k range. (Which I could still be okay with)

so the only real downside is the 25% chance I fall in the 35k-75k range. I'm willing to take that bet if there's a 50% chance I make 200k-1 million. 

But I'm also an optimist. So I get the gamble isn't for everyone. But I can't help but think about the chances I walk away making close to 1 million dollars every year. 

[RobertS2]

Hmmm, for the sake of the game, sure I'd do it! I don't know if I'd do it in real life though!! I'd be afraid it's rigged.