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What would you do with limited mind reading powers?

Invade other peoples thoughts for monetary/material gain
- 66 (25.5%)
Invade other peoples thoughts to exploit their emotions
- 50 (19.3%)
Learn what other people think of you
- 70 (27%)
Just do it a little, to see what some selected people think of you
- 25 (9.7%)
I wouldnt read others minds, its rude
- 14 (5.4%)
use it for good and get into a law enforcement job to stop bad people/crimes
- 34 (13.1%)

Total Members Voted: 117

Voting closed: September 24, 2011, 02:28:26 am


Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 5

Author Topic: Mind reading  (Read 5721 times)

Nightscar982

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Mind reading
« on: September 17, 2011, 02:28:27 am »

Hello B12, I have been thinking, and want to know what you guys think about what you would do if you could read minds. Would you use it for good or evil? Would you use it at all? Would you do it, if other people could tell you were doing it?

I, myself would only use it sparingly, as I believe one persons thoughts should be their own.
How did you form your opinion on what you should do, were you able to read minds?
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Knight of Fools

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2011, 12:42:46 pm »

I would be quite rude in your opinion, then.  None of your options really match what I would do, though.

I'd figure out as much of my power as possible and see if I couldn't understand the human psyche, and I'd read as many minds as possible, because I could very well avert disaster by finding someone that plans to do harm to another person.  I'd probably get into some form of law enforcement, criminal justice, or top-secret work in order to fully exploit my mysterious ability to know exactly what other people are thinking, and how to break them.

That said, most of the time I wouldn't do much about the things I learn.  If I hear someone thinking, "I'm going to kill him", I really don't know if that person is just thinking that or if they're actually going to kill him.  I'd base my actions on longer periods of observation and tact, mostly relying on words and empathy to avert other people's negative actions.

Now, if other people knew what I was doing, I would do it on a volunteer-only basis, unless some part of my job entailed it (Such as law enforcement or interrogation).  As for controlling others, I couldn't care less about that.  I wouldn't do anything to take another person's free will away.
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Phmcw

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2011, 12:45:14 pm »

Would write the best psychology book ever, and improve neuroscience tenfold.
Would also study myself to understand how it work.

Edit: I voted Material gain, though it would rather be FOR SCIENCE!!!
« Last Edit: September 17, 2011, 02:34:35 pm by Phmcw »
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Vector

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2011, 01:07:19 pm »

Use it to combat my social disabilities.  I don't know if even mind-reading would fix everything, but at least it would help.
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ChairmanPoo

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2011, 01:10:58 pm »

I'd do the same thing I do every night, Nighty... try to take over the world!
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Bauglir

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2011, 01:27:42 pm »

I doubt I could be trusted with such a power, if it were reliable. I'd probably use it to for my own gain whenever possible, while telling myself that I'm ultimately working toward a greater good of some vaguely defined nature.
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Leafsnail

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2011, 03:16:30 pm »

Do my best to become a detective working on the most serious crime cases.  I guess it wouldn't be too hard if I were prepared to invade, say, job interviewers' minds and stuff, but that would be a bit morally dubious.

There's a bunch of other areas that I might be able to usefully excel in if I had this power - diplomacy, psychology, law etc.  Although if you mean "You'd keep living your normal life except you'd have this power"... I'd try to limit it to occasionally reading the minds of people who's opinion of me I'm curious of.  It kindof depends how much control I have over it (whether, say, it would be possible to read someone's mind when in a rage).
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Nightscar982

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2011, 04:05:13 pm »

New option added
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Darvi

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2011, 06:33:51 pm »

First, I'd be a bit curious about how people think.

Then, I'd use if for both good and evil. I'm not picky when it comes to that.

Kinda like Psycho Mantis.
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TheMasterTurtle

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2011, 09:08:53 pm »

I would probably use it in sports and to figure out what people think of me. I would use it to help others but probably use it to help get career I want, Zoologist. This begs the question though, would I be able to study the psyche of an animal.
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Heliman

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2011, 09:15:59 pm »

If i could read minds I'd be all up in other people's heads.
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Frumple

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2011, 09:18:56 pm »

"We're in the money~"

Cash. Monetary gain out the wazoo. Once I used the power to get several million and set up myself, my family, and my friends for life several generations of comfortable living, I'd settle back and use it for something more long term and societally beneficial. What, not entirely sure, but it'd fall in line with my "Witness the last star die" dream for humanity. Possibly stealing technological advancements and letting the information go public. Forcing transparency onto most of the world's governments sounds like an amusing way to spend a week.

The first bit wouldn't be even remotely moral, but... really? Being able to get yourself and your loved ones out of the rat race, and ensure your bloodline is taken care of, possibly in perpetuity? I'm not going to lie to myself. That would come first. Higher aspirations are for once that's dealt with.
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Criptfeind

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2011, 09:20:14 pm »

This
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
This would be me.
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Max White

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2011, 09:20:48 pm »

The fact that this was in life advice amuses me greatly!

Criptfeind

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Re: Mind reading
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2011, 09:21:52 pm »

The fact that this was in life advice amuses me greatly!

It was?

Edit: Oh.
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