What is Absurd Trolley Problems?
Absurd Trolley Problems is a browser game by Neal Agarwal of neal.fun, released on July 5, 2022. It takes the classic ethics puzzle, where a runaway trolley is about to hit some people unless you pull a lever, and stretches it through 28 increasingly ridiculous versions. You might be weighing clones of yourself, a pile of Amazon packages or a trolley full of rich people.
Agarwal shared it on Twitter the day after launch and it spread quickly, picking up coverage from Vice and Boing Boing and becoming a TikTok trend. The hook is the stats screen after each choice: you see what percentage of players picked the same option as you. At the end, the game tallies how many people your decisions killed and gives you a verdict on your moral compass.
What You Can Do
- 28 escalating twists on the trolley problem
- Choose to pull the lever or do nothing with one tap
- See what percentage of players agreed with each choice
- A final tally of your choices and a moral verdict
- Plays in a few minutes on phone or desktop
How to Play Absurd Trolley Problems
- Open neal.fun/absurd-trolley-problems in your browser.
- Read the scenario on screen.
- Choose Pull the lever or Do nothing and see how others voted.
- Click Next until you reach your final results.
Is Absurd Trolley Problems Free?
Absurd Trolley Problems is free to play with no account. neal.fun has no paid plan, just an optional way to support Neal's work.
Who Will Enjoy It?
- Philosophy fans who like their ethics with a punchline
- Groups looking for a game that sparks a debate
- Teachers introducing moral dilemmas in a light way
- Anyone with five spare minutes and a sense of humour
Websites Like Absurd Trolley Problems
- The Evolution of Trust: Another interactive game about human choices, built on game theory.
- Spend Bill Gates' Money: More neal.fun fun with a big idea hidden in a simple game.
- I'm Not a Robot: A neal.fun puzzle game that gets stranger with every level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Absurd Trolley Problems free?
Yes. It is free to play in your browser with no sign-up and nothing to buy.
How many levels does Absurd Trolley Problems have?
There are 28 scenarios, and the game totals up your choices at the end.
Who made Absurd Trolley Problems?
Neal Agarwal, the creator of neal.fun, released it in July 2022.