Part 1:
So lets say you can with effort, time, and training pick up on exactly what people are thinking. How could you morally use such ability?
Part 2:
Including part 1; say you were the only one who could really do this, would you be afraid to let others know? Would this effect your decision/s and choices of part 1?
| 8 people marked this as a favorite. |
I would only use my powers for good.
My own good.
I'd probably go mad after a week or so.
|
Part 1:
So lets say you can with effort, time, and training pick up on exactly what people are thinking. How could you morally use such ability?Part 2:
Including part 1; say you were the only one who could really do this, would you be afraid to let others know? Would this effect your decision/s and choices of part 1?
Its like knowing another persons language and listening in on their conversations. A Man had learned the Aboriginal Australian's languages and worked as a Government official in their community so he would listen to all their arguments and private conversations and when he found them breaking the law - turn them in. Basically they got wind of his uncanny knowledge of how to speak their language and knowledge of their inner most secrets and had him removed from the community.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'd play way more poker, and never tell nobody.
No... mind control at least would not force you to stop thinking of resisting.
|
1) I don't think you can, if you hold the moral position that one's thoughts are private and not subject to disclosure without one actively allowing it.
2) I would not let people know, partly as a means of self-preservation (every intelligence agency on the planet would either want you in their pocket or locked up) and partly due to the change in attitude people would have with you. It would basically be the same as telling folks "hey, by the way, I bugged your house."
And yeah, there would be much more card playing and trips to Vegas in my life.
It's not like this idea isn't explored in every teen show on the planet....Part 1:
So lets say you can with effort, time, and training pick up on exactly what people are thinking. How could you morally use such ability?Part 2:
Including part 1; say you were the only one who could really do this, would you be afraid to let others know? Would this effect your decision/s and choices of part 1?
I can see that with normal super powers of a number of variety, but this one in particular sort of makes itself morally useless. Even Vegas use would be technically steeling.
Part 1:
So lets say you can with effort, time, and training pick up on exactly what people are thinking. How could you morally use such ability?Part 2:
Including part 1; say you were the only one who could really do this, would you be afraid to let others know? Would this effect your decision/s and choices of part 1?
This brings to mind the Zhodani Consulate, a society ruled by a psionic noble class, from Traveller. The Imperium (baseline human culture) was terrified by the zhodani, particularly their dreaded thought police; the zhodani were of the opinion that, if a telepath knows you're unhappy and does psychic surgery to make you feel better, that's just really effective psycho-therapy.
[1) I don't think you can, if you hold the moral position that one's thoughts are private and not subject to disclosure without one actively allowing it.
1)Does this mean that accounting for people's moods based on people's facial expressions, body language, is immoral? If said mind reading powers are "always on" wouldn't not accounting for other people's point of view be inconsiderate at the very least?
[1) I don't think you can, if you hold the moral position that one's thoughts are private and not subject to disclosure without one actively allowing it.1)Does this mean that accounting for people's moods based on people's facial expressions, body language, is immoral? If said mind reading powers are "always on" wouldn't not accounting for other people's point of view be inconsiderate at the very least?
I specifically stated that it takes a good deal of effort. They are not always on.
I don't think a person on Earth could say they would not use such a power, if they had it. A considerate person would be extremely careful that secrets divined this way were treated as secrets... But the understanding given would be tremendous.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dying Inside by Robert Silverberg addresses this somewhat.
I specifically stated that it takes a good deal of effort. They are not always on.[1) I don't think you can, if you hold the moral position that one's thoughts are private and not subject to disclosure without one actively allowing it.1)Does this mean that accounting for people's moods based on people's facial expressions, body language, is immoral? If said mind reading powers are "always on" wouldn't not accounting for other people's point of view be inconsiderate at the very least?
Walking on a tightrope takes a good deal of effort, but my sense of balance is always on, if you see what I mean. Learning to walk as an infant takes time effort and training, but it's easy when you know how. I'm not looking to quibble with you, but you didn't say a good deal of effort, you just said effort.
Talking about the morality of the situation, I think bringing real world morality to science-fiction questions is counter-productive.
I thought about this long and hard as a young communist and I came to the conclusion that if I ever actually developed telepathic abilities (or any mutant power for that matter), I would be a Nietzschean superman and your pathetic herd morality would no longer apply to me.
Until then,
Vive le Galt!
|
|
I thought about this long and hard as a young communist and I came to the conclusion that if I ever actually developed telepathic abilities (or any mutant power for that matter), I would be a Nietzschean superman and your pathetic herd morality would no longer apply to me.
Until then,
Vive le Galt!
I thought the communist way was to take power over the herd any time you can? well every country so far at least
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
[Concentrates on Citizen R. having a heart attack]
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
And then the red menace is foiled by a guy who tells everybody exactly what he thinks all the time and doesn't give a f!!%.
I only use my power to cheat at Werewolf.
(srsly, I became addicted to that game at GenCon)
Woah. No new posts from Citizen R. over the course of the night? Maybe I do have mutant powers.
[Puts fingers at temples]
Spanky, are you, by any chance, thinking of bacon?
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
I only use my power to cheat at Werewolf.
(srsly, I became addicted to that game at GenCon)
which one? Apocalyps , or the other one?
which one? Apocalyps , or the other one?I only use my power to cheat at Werewolf.
(srsly, I became addicted to that game at GenCon)
It's a social game, similar to Resistance or Mafia. Basically poker, without the chips or cards (well one, to secretly inform you which team you are on).
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
[Concentrates harder]
It's a social game, similar to Resistance or Mafia. Basically poker, without the chips or cards (well one, to secretly inform you which team you are on).which one? Apocalyps , or the other one?I only use my power to cheat at Werewolf.
(srsly, I became addicted to that game at GenCon)
Ahh! One of my best friendspplays that game, he loves it.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
[Concentrates harder]
[monotone]Organize the unorganized. All hail the Anklebiter. [/monotone]
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
All hail Leafar!
Hey gobbo, what do you think you're doing? Lay off the forumites here. Go back to bubbling and drug fueled orgies, you hear?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
[Refocuses concentration to Madame Sisyl's buttons, clasps and zippers]
HEY!
*watches her pants fall to the ground after all the sixty-two buckles get undone in an instant*
*stares daggers at Doodlebug as she starts putting her pants on again*
Hmph!
HEY!
*watches her pants fall to the ground after all the sixty-two buckles get undone in an instant*
*stares daggers at Doodlebug as she starts putting her pants on again*
Hmph!
This is awesome.
I'd tell no one and rent myself as a strategy consultant. Kind of like the Menatlist, only it's an actual super power as opposed to an apparent one.
HEY!
*watches her pants fall to the ground after all the sixty-two buckles get undone in an instant*
*stares daggers at Doodlebug as she starts putting her pants on again*
Hmph!
Huzzah!
I'd use it to get laid.
I'd use it to get laid.
This also comes up in Dying Inside.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So lets say you can with effort, time, and training pick up on exactly what people are thinking. How could you morally use such ability?It's called Facebook. It's less awesome than you might think, especially over the last 6-8 months. :/
I'd probably go mad after a week or so.
Yep.
ok its not telepathy but this reminds me of the old Scott Baio movie Zapped! (umm. guess that reveals my place in the generation gap a bit, huh?)