h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello all. A friend and I have been having an ongoing argument (of sorts), and I've decided to involve others to get their opinions. Out of nowhere one day, he asks me if I would stay naked 24/7 for twenty years if someone gave me a billion dollars up front. I said, "Sure, a billion dollars would be great, but it wouldn't be worth it, because I would have to stay inside for the next twenty years, or move somewhere more secluded, as I'd really rather not cause a scene by walking around naked everywhere."

He says it would be worth it, and he would do it in a heartbeat. He also wouldn't mind walking around naked for the next twenty years, because he would "get used to it."

Anyone else? Why or why not?

Also, if we get a good range of answers and reasons, feel free to change the question to something else,i.e. Would you sell your hamster for a lifetime supply of mozzerella?, etc.

No - I'd want to spend at least some of it on clothes!

Would you shave your head for a lorryload of hairbrushes?

Wasn't it Winston Churchill who once asked a woman if she would sleep with him for £1million. She replied "Yes. He then asked if she would sleep with him for £5. She replied "No, of course not! What kind of woman do you think I am?" Winston replied "We've already established what kind of woman you are...now we're negotiating a price".

RF

Yes I would. My first use of the money would be to hire a very, very, very good team of lawyers that would get me back int clothes and let me keep the money.

Failing that, I'm sure £1billion could buy the giver a little accident

Ooh, you be devious you be.

Must be the Oirish in me

With a billion dollars I could buy a very nice secluded spot, somewhere warm enough to be able to spend much of the year naked outside and pay to have the shopping delivered.

Sounds wonderful.

Sounds like Utopia!!

Not in the UK - I'd ever make 20 years if I couldn't wrap up warm, or protect my skin from the sun.

'Wasn't it Winston Churchill who once asked a woman if she would sleep with him for £1million?'

I thought it was George Bernard Shaw. Hang on...

Well, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6641799/ says: 'One of the oldest jokes in the book is about the man (some say Churchill, others George Bernard Shaw) who asks a woman if she'd sleep with him for a million dollars...'

I thought it was Oscar Wilde myself.

I thought it was me

I don't think I'd do ANYTHING for a billion dollars.

We were having this discussion re the Euro-millions lottery giant jackpot. And imagining what we'd do with 85mill. My kids wouldn't be safe - they'd be susceptible to kidnap, wouldn't see any need to work or study, and would be more liable to damage their health. I'd have to move, and try to remain anonymous. Could I tell my friends and family, and share the "joy" with them?

Would I be any happier? No.

So no thanks to a billion.


Now £1 million would be a useful sum of money that I would have fun spending without ruining my life . What would I have to do for that?

I reckon walking around naked would be a good start. I'd contribute £50.

B

would you eat a cat's hairball for a hairball-free cat?

If you get a short-haired cat, they don't get hair balls. But that does remind me that I intend to write an entry on the Hairy Ball Theorem, which is an interesting piece of mathematics.

How much would I get if I don't wear a hat for 20 years? Must be worth about 15 quid, surely!

SB

Not if you never wear a hat anyway.

I promise not to have relations with Claudia Schiffer for £1 million.

Ah, now when they say 'naked' does that preclude hiring plebs to wlak beside you with screens or others such devices to hide your gorgeous naked body?

With a billion dollars you could afford it.

And if you were a woman its amazing what body paint can hide and create a vision that you are wearing clothes...so I have heard.

So, as a male I would hire a few people to hold fans or such around my nether regions and then afew more to walk around with specially designed hot air fans - hot enough and strong enough to keep me warm but not too much to burn me (very possible - trust me I'm a Chemical Engineer).

So, yes I would.