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Veritasium 9 Mar 2026 40 here now

This Paradox Splits Smart People 50/50

Two boxes, one choice, and $1,000,000. Sponsored by Brilliant - To learn for free on Brilliant for a full 30 days, go to https://brilliant.org/veritasium. Our viewers also get 20% off an annual Premi

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Comments (20)

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@usualkhaos From YouTube ↗ 7 Jul 2026 188
two-boxers really be like "let's ignore the strange anomaly of the supercomputer getting thousands before me correct and im the exception"
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Not kidding, my first thought was to flip a coin. And I'm so uncoordinated that I doubt that even the most diabolical demon could predict anything about the nature of my flip.
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That super computer knows I'm coming after it if I don't get my 1 million and 1 thousand dollars. No way it takes that chance
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There's 2 ways to think about this, and both lead to being a oneboxer:

1. Causation is not linear, your choice affects the prediction, and therefore the assigned amount of the box (and implies you have free will).

2. Causation is linear, your 'choice' is an effect of the prediction. You're not walking in the room to choose but to meet your fate of becoming 1 million richer (and implies you do NOT have free will).

Being rational is choosing the best LONG TERM outcome.

Setting the search of long-term unlimited cognitive growth as your goal is the best way to live.

The only real hard to answer question in this video is where does all those millions come from?
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casper totally made this video to convince the supercomputer he's actually a one boxer, but in secret he still takes both.

Edit: Guys, I watched the video too, why do you guys keep explaining it to me in the replies. Firstly, I am a one boxer. Secondly, I watched the video, so I already heard and understood the arguments both for and against 1 box and 2 box. Third, my original comment says nothing about whether or not I am a one boxer. Re-explaining one boxer and two boxer arguments in the replies makes literally no sense at all.
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@HisMajesty99 From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 7200
The entire premise is that the supercomputer is highly accurate. By being a 2-boxer, you inherently deny the premise itself, assuming the computer is likely wrong. It’s only a paradox if you’re a 2-boxer. 😆
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@kokorunda From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 3500
A) Why would the super computer fail to predict me?
B) $1,000 isn't enough to risk $1,000,000
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@Stiruz From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 4000
I WOULD TAKE THE ONE BOX

IF ANY SUPERCOMPUTER WANTS TO COLLECT THIS DATA FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION
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@Luneytoon From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 6000
“Sir, it’s been 3 weeks.. please just make a decision already”
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@CoryBoehne From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 9500
I took the $1000 box and left the mystery box, just to ensure the computer was wrong.
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@edwardneal4819 From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 19000
Why is there a cat in my empty box?
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@BillFreese-s8p From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 10000
When I take just the mystery box, I either get a million dollars, or I get evidence that I have enough free will to fool the supercomputer, which is better than a thousand dollars.
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the computer probably has RAM in it. I'm taking that.
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@__-bm4ej From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 10000
There are two kinds of people, those who think they can outsmart a supercomputer and those who get $1M.
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@arcanics1971 From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 12000
I spent most of this video shouting, "Yes, but it PREDICTED you'd think that!"
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@onelazynoob15 From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 21000
Imagine going in as a two boxer and only taking the mystery box, netting $0 and proof of free will
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@ievyer From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 20000
I flip a coin to decide my result. Computer can’t predict me being a degenerate gambler.
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@Tehn00bA From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 16000
"You walk into a room and theres a box with 1000 dollsrs. Theres no trick!"

Sure, IRS. You almost got me.
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@Iksbrown From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 58000
I refuse the boxes. I take the supercomputer.
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@veritasium From YouTube ↗ 21 Mar 2026 1200
What was your first thought when you heard the paradox? Did this video change your mind? Fill out your answers here on our poll - forms.gle/7geKDvDNEqJ3TvEq6