tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post2215416810941668590..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: Mind control is the most troubling super powerMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-72168557968249649942012-08-23T04:48:50.079-06:002012-08-23T04:48:50.079-06:00I think the problem with any superpower is knowing...I think the problem with any superpower is knowing <i>when</i> to use it because you ultimately change the natural process. Rescuing someone who turns evil, robbing someone of the value and reward of hard work etc.<br /><br />I think if I had mind control I would have encouraged someone to buy one of Hilter's paintings. How different the world would have been if he had followed his first love.Stobbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17307341548219021848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-1473367225276476822012-08-19T20:05:05.853-06:002012-08-19T20:05:05.853-06:00I'd use mind control to make myself go to the ...I'd use mind control to make myself go to the gym, really stick to my diet, and write every damned day. Sure, it would be tempting to use it to get others to do my bidding but, if we're looking at the reality of life, every one already tries to do this in various ways. Parents manipulate their kids into behaving the way they want, couple manipulate one another to the same purpose, as friends do, as employers do, etc., ad nauseum. Mind control would merely grant assurance that the manipulation would work. Just sayin'. :-)<br /><a href="http://minalobo.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Some Dark Romantic</a><br />Mina Lobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10173895884776280826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-30893144810772569742012-08-18T07:33:07.427-06:002012-08-18T07:33:07.427-06:00I'm pretty sure I would end up abusing that po...I'm pretty sure I would end up abusing that power. Still have not caught Alphas - but I will catch up shortly.Jay Noelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04757777693161610861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-42527014675427346262012-08-17T20:09:01.250-06:002012-08-17T20:09:01.250-06:00I really liked the fact that Alphas shows to darke...I really liked the fact that Alphas shows to darker side of mind control. Ciarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-88143728280601301352012-08-16T23:52:18.425-06:002012-08-16T23:52:18.425-06:00for chrissakes mike, if you wanna be believable, a...for chrissakes mike, if you wanna be believable, at least get the quotes right!<br /><br />as for mind control: sure... i'd send EVERYbody in for remedial english classes, myself included! :P lol<br /><br />also: check out all the stuff on mind control posted on youtube!laughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-7352049690581286582012-08-16T21:31:13.387-06:002012-08-16T21:31:13.387-06:00Choice. The illusive ideal which humans hold on to...Choice. The illusive ideal which humans hold on to so dearly. It's a judeo/Christian idea, you know. The idea of freedom of choice does not really follow the pattern of evolution. At least that's a debate that is raging among come evolutionary biologists and atheists. But perhaps that's a discussion to be held on another day... <br /><br />No I wouldn't use mind control- that is the language of religion. I didn't even force my daughter to live with me when I divorced her father (she was 15). She thinks I should have forced her but I don't think she realizes that I gave her the freedom of choice... or did I? Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-2508265433651218812012-08-16T20:42:17.885-06:002012-08-16T20:42:17.885-06:00Fascinating questions, Michael. I'd like to th...Fascinating questions, Michael. I'd like to think that I wouldn't take it for the reasons you've raised here. There's definitely a good book in that idea! Cally Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08313803959936813426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-18338540030834993432012-08-16T16:42:50.245-06:002012-08-16T16:42:50.245-06:00@LG - Evil Galadriel! OMG! You are totally my new ...@LG - Evil Galadriel! OMG! You are totally my new favorite person of the hour ;) Best Comment.Callie Leuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535505792102190920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-65786739714477170662012-08-16T16:28:04.607-06:002012-08-16T16:28:04.607-06:00I would only use it to...oh, hell, I'd try to ...I would only use it to...oh, hell, I'd try to rule the world. You know it's true. I'd turn into Evil Galadriel in LOTR. Ha! Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-68392307249267663232012-08-16T16:26:34.154-06:002012-08-16T16:26:34.154-06:00Remember when Obi-Wan used mind control benignly i...Remember when Obi-Wan used mind control benignly in Star Wars? But he was a good guy who wouldn't abuse it, and with the superbad like Darth Vader it didn't work.<br /><br />If mind control could be combined with the psychic powers shown in The Minority Report, then a person could prevent horrific crimes, and that's something I'd want. But beyond this possibility, mind control would be too tempting -- sooner or later I'd take advantage of it.Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14967821142796562697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-58214027550013488952012-08-16T15:43:15.599-06:002012-08-16T15:43:15.599-06:00I wouldn't want to have mind control power. I ...I wouldn't want to have mind control power. I can barely stomach asking people to go to a movie I want to see. (I'll go alone so if it sucks, I only wasted my time.)<br /><br />Of course, no superpower is completely good or bad. It's all in how it's used.<br /><br />There are layers to this, and I can't get them all straight in my head. Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-7838977758464991462012-08-16T15:08:11.358-06:002012-08-16T15:08:11.358-06:00Nope! No, sirree! Bad things always happen when pe...Nope! No, sirree! Bad things always happen when people use mind-control powers or magic to control people. Also, it's just creepy!<br /><br />Now if you were handing out teleportation or flight, I'd be first in line.Callie Leuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535505792102190920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-41529398642073075052012-08-16T14:41:14.271-06:002012-08-16T14:41:14.271-06:00I really enjoyed that episode of Alphas. I think m...I really enjoyed that episode of Alphas. I think most of us if we had that power would start out using it for what we thought was the greater good, but how could anyone deal with having that much power?Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-13027452020960468272012-08-16T14:08:41.048-06:002012-08-16T14:08:41.048-06:00off course I'd take it! And use it to turn all...off course I'd take it! And use it to turn all people into angels :) DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-6856205960252563172012-08-16T13:12:44.319-06:002012-08-16T13:12:44.319-06:00No. I'd be too tempted to use it--or if it bec...No. I'd be too tempted to use it--or if it became instinctive, unable to stop myself from using it. I'd feel terrible about it afterwards, but you can't un-control someone's mind.Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-25602855002338074042012-08-16T11:53:53.493-06:002012-08-16T11:53:53.493-06:00Uh, I need the power of mind control. Seriously.
...Uh, I need the power of mind control. Seriously. <br /><br />LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-39176548592589931992012-08-16T10:53:00.783-06:002012-08-16T10:53:00.783-06:00I would want super speed. Honestly, I don't wa...I would want super speed. Honestly, I don't want to control other people's minds, because I don't want to have that much to do with them to begin with.<br />Super speed, though, that would be fun!Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-60478000817838167012012-08-16T10:27:27.498-06:002012-08-16T10:27:27.498-06:00I think Superman's superhearing could be a ver...I think Superman's superhearing could be a very bad power to have, especially if all you want is some peace and quiet.<br /><br />As for mind control, it depends on the agenda behind the person using it. For example, let's say someone is a smoker (or a gambler, drug addict, etc.), and they've tried for years to quit but haven't been able to. With a little mind control help, they can change their bad habit.Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-9119288364748826342012-08-16T10:26:31.936-06:002012-08-16T10:26:31.936-06:00"In comic books, none of Superman's power..."In comic books, none of Superman's powers have drawbacks. Super speed, strength, agility, eyesight, hearing...all of these things are useful."<br /><br />Except that Superman doesn't spend all his time saving people -- whenever he's resting, someone is dying and if he's superstrong, why does he need to rest?<br /><br />And X-ray vision can be used to cheat every bit as much as mind-control. <br /><br />Superpowers, like all powers, are no better or worse than the people who use them. They're not like guns, which exist only to kill things and so should be outlawed. <br /><br />Even mind control could have beneficial uses. If I have the power of mind control, I could stop a mother from stabbing her 6-year-old daughter. <br /><br />http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/165972256.html<br /><br /> Using mind-control to do that would be no more, or less, evil, than simply grabbing her and stopping her; she should not be allowed the freedom to complete that.<br /><br />So YES: if I could have the power of mind control, I would not hesitate to take it and to use it as I saw fit -- but I am a moral person and wouldn't use my power for bad. (That's why I don't sue people over technical violations, or hide evidence, or otherwise abuse the relatively mundane powers I have.)<br /><br />Your hero in Alphas IS a bad person; she happens to have better tools to express her poor choices and lack of morals, but even if she didn't have mind control, she'd be a bad person. Brianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01616494058636881575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-31119431978570877512012-08-16T10:09:51.595-06:002012-08-16T10:09:51.595-06:00Give me mind control that lets me decide if people...Give me mind control that lets me decide if people call or fold. Anything else is too complicated for me to figure out how to use right.Brad Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09264214637857845014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-83582663926718889132012-08-16T09:22:13.007-06:002012-08-16T09:22:13.007-06:00An interesting question. I don't think humans ...An interesting question. I don't think humans could handle mind control. We'd need to evolve quite a bit before we could handle it. I think mind control would be about as bad as nuclear weapons. We've barely managed to control those. If we did manage to manipulate people (in many ways we already do)the best way to benefit from it would be to not use it.stephen Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659054447637207734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-56914753612587393322012-08-16T09:05:33.049-06:002012-08-16T09:05:33.049-06:00@Jamie: Thanks for agreeing with me! *Using mind c...@Jamie: Thanks for agreeing with me! *Using mind control on Jamie...<br /><br />@Trisha: I have no idea who Billy Corgan is. I'm off to google this hunk<br /><br />@Moody: At least you're honest.<br /><br />@Siv: That's interesting. So it's like Tarot cards almost, or a Magic 8 ball.<br /><br />@Matt: Really? I would like to hear more of this. I guess books can be used for all kinds of nefarious purposes.<br /><br />@Brinda: I like your use of the word "deflating".<br /><br />@Elise: I was thinking one person at a time. And yes, in your line of vision (much like Nina's power) staring into their eyes.<br /><br />@P.T.: Great honest answer. I guess we'd all do something crooked, wouldn't we?<br /><br />@Rek: Mind reading is as bad as turning someone into a puppet? Hmm. I agree that it's bad but to totally make someone a slave? I think that's more severe.<br /><br />@Charity: So your premise is that if this super power existed, people would eventually become immune to it? I don't agree with that unless we could establish that the M/C was based on a biological component. Then the immune system might be able to compensate over the course of many hundreds of years. That conversation with your 13 yo is funny.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-10612963699264009752012-08-16T08:49:02.002-06:002012-08-16T08:49:02.002-06:00My brother introduced me to Alphas this last week....My brother introduced me to Alphas this last week. I need to catch up...<br /><br />As for the mind control thing, let me share a conversation I had with my 13 year old after watching Alphas the first time.<br /><br />Me: I want mind control! "You WILL clean your room."<br /><br />Daughter: I'd just use it back on you and say, "The room IS clean."<br /><br />Eventually humans would develop the ability to fight off the mind control because choice is so important to us. That's my opinion. Charity Bradfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01960821077619680661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-67489106654591760382012-08-16T08:26:54.716-06:002012-08-16T08:26:54.716-06:00Mind reading is just as bad, invasion of privacy b...Mind reading is just as bad, invasion of privacy but I guess without the nasty effects of mind control.<br />I wouldn't want to know anyone with that kind of power - too easy to control me. If I had it then I'd be making a mess of it. I change my mind so often that controlling others would be tough...going up and down on a seesaw kinds. :)Rek Seshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13484322426994645221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-13148423700613973762012-08-16T06:51:08.851-06:002012-08-16T06:51:08.851-06:00Well you know, with great power comes great respon...Well you know, with great power comes great responsibility and all that noise. I'm sure if I could really do the Jedi mind trick I'd go to the nearest bank and wave at all the employees and say, "You do not see me." and then clean them out. I mean come on, humans are invariably flawed.PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.com