A viral social media thought experiment is captivating internet users around the world by posing a stark question: would you press a red button to guarantee your own survival, or a blue button that saves everyone only if a majority also chooses blue? Discussing the phenomenon on ABC Radio Perth, Steven Conway told presenter Amber Cunningham that the scenario, created by American author Tim Urban, resonates because it reflects the increasingly polarised and emotionally charged nature of online discourse. Dr Conway explained that choosing red represents the Nash equilibrium, where individuals act solely in their own interests, while choosing blue aligns with a Pareto optimality, prioritising the best outcome for the group. He argued that the popularity of the question highlights modern feelings of both global connection and personal alienation. The thought experiment has sparked widespread discussion about trust, cooperation and whether humanity would choose collective well-being over individual self-preservation.