Hypotheticals can be interesting but I think they're more interesting when you think about how they would actually work in reality.
Like if someone says "would you give up alcohol forever for £1 million". Surely the interesting part of that question is thinking about how it would work in reality. For example would you be allowed to take the £1 million, invest it, end up with several million, then pay back the original £1 million so you can drink alcohol again?
You're right, that's a much more interesting question. Also, would my investment performance be improved by said motivation if i am an alcoholic? Would i stop wanting the booze by then? I don't think gratification delay is a trait i possess so i would probably just take the money and switch drugs.
Everything can go wrong in one way or another, it just depends how high the risk is.
People drive their car every day, even if there is a chance that they wont make it to the next day because of it.
But the risk just isnt felt to be too high in comparison to the usefulness, or people wouldnt drive.
If I knew that it was fairly safe to go to the moon, I would do it, even if it could mean that I dont come back, because it would be a pretty special experience.