SUICIDE MACHINE ASKS THREE QUESTIONS

(Please note the sensitive nature of this story. In fact, you might want to preface and end it with an announcement: “If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, call the mental health hotline at 988. They will connect you with someone to talk with. That’s 9-8-8.”)
A scientist from the Netherlands has invented a suicide booth, meant for places where doctor-assisted suicide is legal – that uses nitrogen to suffocate its user. But before you can use it, the machine asks three questions. The inventor, Doctor Philip Nitschke, says his Sarco capsule quickly fills with nitrogen, bringing oxygen down from 21 per cent to only 1 per cent in about 30 seconds. A “disorientated” and “euphoric” feeling then follows, before users eventually lose consciousness. Death takes places due critical oxygen and carbon dioxide deprivation. But – before you push the button yourself, the capsule will ask you three questions, and the user must answer verbally: The questions are: ‘Who are you?’, ‘Where are you?’ and ‘Do you know what happens if you press the button?’ If the person answers those questions verbally – and correctly, presumably – the software then switches the power on so that the button can then be pressed.
* At least it’s not an essay test.
* If you don’t know those answers, can you ask for multiple choice questions?
* Is it an AI that evaluates your answers? What if it doesn’t like you?
* At least one of the questions isn’t, “Do you know what this is costing?”
* The capsule fills with nitrogen. For a homey touch you can get it scented with pumpkin spice.