The Sea Wasp (Ryk E. Spoor)

It is easy to block out extraneous information and answer any hypothetical -- however it is often the case that the answer is "I don't know" or "There's not enough information to decide".

It seems a fallacy to assume that all these people who ask hypothetical questions know what they are doing and are capable of asking a complete, and fair, hypothetical. Crafting a legitimate 'thought-experiment' may well require as much care and intelligent design as crafting an actual, legitimate scientific experiment. Most people don't invest the skull-sweat, so why should I? ^_^

I also, in the case where I feel the question as presented does have enough information for an answer, don't feel constrained by my answer when the asker then changes the circumstances in response. After all, it's make-believe, and if they feel free to change the circumstances, I will feel equally free to change my answer. ^_^ If they say "You have to make your decision based only on the information you have right now. There is no opportunity to gain additional info," then fine. Take your best swing at it without guilt, or refuse to answer. (Unless they are paying you. ^_^ Then, you probably owe them the best answer you have.) If you want to point out that more information from them would get them a better answer, feel free. ^_^