What Paranormal Power Would You Choose?

The Atheist · 7th October 2007, 06:04 PM

Thanks to this thread, I wondered what kind of paranormal power people would choose to have if paranormal power actually existed. (May have been done before, bad luck.)

Personally, I'm going to have to think about it. Telekinesis appeals, but... Carrie. Telepathy appealed momentarily, but do I really want to know what you're thinking? Medium? Having dead blokes come and talk to me, no thanks! Fortune telling? Great; "You're going to get cancer of the bowel and die screaming." Nope. Astrology? Uranus is troubling you? I could have become a proctologist and said the same thing [phonetically]. Curses & spells? See: Carrie. God? Yeah right. I really want someone to compete for the loud mouth prize.

Astral travel it is. Never mind Uranus, how are the Pleaides tonight?

Poll now open. Apologies to Buzzlightyear, et al, but I chose not use the Poll option:

All of these things actually exist.

JoeTheJuggler · 7th October 2007, 07:36 PM

If I could have any actual paranormal power--any at all?

Anything that I could use to improve the lot of humankind? Anything that could be used to gain a greater understanding of things, perhaps to help with solving some of the worst problems facing us?

Anything at all?

It'd definitely be the power to bend spoons with my mind.

And keys.

Sometimes.

Puppycow · 7th October 2007, 07:48 PM

I chose telepathy, telekinesis, precognition, and some other ability. Other abilities I might like would be the ability to fly, X-ray vision, etc.

Dowsing would be too boring. I suppose if I could do that the first thing I would do would be apply for the JREF million dollar challange. But after that, it doesn't seem like something I would have much use for in my life. I've never had to search for water underground in my life so far.

rsaavedra · 7th October 2007, 08:04 PM

Being able to travel any length of time into the past as a completely passive, unnoticeable observer of any place in the world, returning unscathed with the knowledge of what was observed. Similar to what Harry Potter and Dumbledore were able to do through the "pensieve" but not limited to specific personal memories, unlimited in time and space.

This paranormal power would allow someone to tell exactly what happened whenever/wherever in the past. This is the "Super-Witness" power

Would be nice if more than one people had this power, so that there would always be a way to independently verify other witnesses' report on whatever they have witnessed.

Witnesses shouldn't be able to "see" other witnesses while witnessing the past.

I can write quite a few more rules of how this power would work, might even write a book about this at some point in my life

grayman · 7th October 2007, 08:08 PM

I guess if I were a telepath I would enter the poker games at TAM.

Plus, I'd be able to find out what "NOTHING" means when I ask the wife, "What's wrong?".

The Atheist · 7th October 2007, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by grayman

Plus, I'd be able to find out what "NOTHING" means when I ask the wife, "What's wrong?".

That's odd. That's precisely one of the reasons I wouldn't choose telepathy!

Meri · 7th October 2007, 08:26 PM

I have to go with telekinesis. Not only could I be even lazier, but I could throw things at people and never be blamed for it. Also, of course, I could win 1 million dollars.

Kilgore Trout · 7th October 2007, 08:55 PM

If these things actually exist, that means other people have them too? And how effective are these things? Is telekenesis just being able to make a scrap of paper spin on a needle? Or hurl a brick at someone? Is cursing someone limited to an ingrown toenail or keeling over with a wave of the hand?

I would have little faith in mankind and I'd bet there would be a number of people that would use their superpower like a weapon, so I'd take the more powerful of either curse or telekenesis, for self defense if nothing else.

If I'm the only one with the power, or the rest are weak enough to not pose a threat? Astral projection, for the sheer entertainment value, both terrestrial and interstellar.

Unalienable · 7th October 2007, 08:58 PM

Definitely not precognition. I already have precognition and it sucks. Most worthless "power" you can have, because even though you know what's going to happen, you can't stop it. And the details are always just hazy enough to prevent you from profiting from the knowledge. Some sort of cosmic law which prevents us precognitives from cashing in on our power. What a ripoff.

thatguywhojuggles · 7th October 2007, 08:59 PM

precognition... wait around for one of those multiple hundred million dollar lottery jackpots, win it. Use the money to teach the masses the scientific method.

ETA
Because if I really had precognition, there would be a scientific explanation for it... we'd still need science to explain the rest of the natural world.

The Atheist · 7th October 2007, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Unalienable

Definitely not precognition. I already have precognition and it sucks. Most worthless "power" you can have, because even though you know what's going to happen, you can't stop it. And the details are always just hazy enough to prevent you from profiting from the knowledge. Some sort of cosmic law which prevents us precognitives from cashing in on our power. What a ripoff.

Damn, that must hurt, eh?

GodMark2 · 7th October 2007, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Thanks to this thread, I wondered what kind of paranormal power people would choose to have if paranormal power actually existed. (May have been done before, bad luck.)

Personally, I'm going to have to think about it. Telekinesis appeals, but... Carrie. Telepathy appealed momentarily, but do I really want to know what you're thinking? Medium? Having dead blokes come and talk to me, no thanks! Fortune telling? Great; "You're going to get cancer of the bowel and die screaming." Nope. Astrology? Uranus is troubling you? I could have become a proctologist and said the same thing [phonetically]. Curses & spells? See: Carrie. God? Yeah right. I really want someone to compete for the loud mouth prize.

Astral travel it is. Never mind Uranus, how are the Pleaides tonight?

Poll now open. Apologies to Buzzlightyear, et al, but I chose not use the Poll option:

All of these things actually exist.

Carrie? Just because you're telekenitic doesn't mean you'll have a psychotically religious mother and hunted by the government (or was that another telekenitic?). Telekenisis ! = phycosis.

"You're going to get cancer of the bowel and die screaming."? Best get your living in now, and don't worry about amassing debt, you won't be around to have to pay it (though any kids you may have might not like that attitude)

Any of those powers would be great, in some way. Except for that whole 'god existing'. I mean, what does that get me? Do I have to beg him for special favors, and if I get it slightly wrong, does he punish me for trying? Or is he a wish-washy God that gives anyone the same gifts, but they all suck? I'd rather have the power in my own hands than have to rely on a third party.

SusanB-M1 · 7th October 2007, 11:47 PM

'None of the above' is my choice!

arthwollipot · 8th October 2007, 01:36 AM

"Some other".

I'd have to go for the ability to become invisible at will. That would be so cool.

shalomsteph · 8th October 2007, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

"Some other".

I'd have to go for the ability to become invisible at will. That would be so cool.

Me too!! Think of the fun we could have!! Not to mention free flights, concerts, movies, famous people's houses...all that stuff!

fagin · 8th October 2007, 02:06 AM

Flying, fun, useful and doesn't infringe on the privacy of others. Except for the odd flight over Pamela Anderson's house.

shalomsteph · 8th October 2007, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by fagin

Flying, fun, useful and doesn't infringe on the privacy of others. Except for the odd flight over Pamela Anderson's house.

I guess I came out of anesthesia once and told the nurse I had been flying "like Superman". She asked why I wasn't flying like "superwoman" and I said, "Because men get paid more."

I don't remember any of it, but my family swears to it.

I DO fly in dreams, though. It is fun.

buzz lightyear · 8th October 2007, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by The Athiest

Poll now open. Apologies to Buzzlightyear, et al, but I chose not use the Poll option:

.

??????????????? I'm hip to the apology TA, but what is it for?
Although I realise that part of your anger management is to repent for your sins and you have really been a good boy lately, this is a bit weird.

Also, all this talk about wanting to astral travel and communicating with dead folks,....you been drinking again?

Cuddles · 8th October 2007, 04:30 AM

I'd go with telekinesis. Pretty much the same reasons as TA for not wanting the other ones but, as GodMark said, telepathy doesn't necessarily make you psychotic. And if it did, at least it would be more fun than being psychotic and not telekinetic.

RenaissanceBiker · 8th October 2007, 04:40 AM

I went with "God and Heaven Existing." If I had the power to cause God to exist, I would simply never use it.

Bethany · 8th October 2007, 04:40 AM

I went with telepathy, and I'd probably end up regretting it, but I am curious what other people's minds are like. Hopefully I'd be able to shut it off at will, too, or it would really suck. And although I am overly curious about what other people think, I have to say that I am not curious about the future, so precognition would be my last choice on that list. You'd probably end up spending all your time running around and trying to save people from the inevitable.

Macoy · 8th October 2007, 05:18 AM

I'm going for "Auto-telekinesis", whereby the next time I am waiting to turn across the road into my drive in a 30 mph limit zone and some idiot comes around the corner at 60 I can immediately send them back to their point of departure, using all the fuel in their tank.

This can also work on everyone who carves me up on motorways and any other road. Or tailgaters. Or buses that jump red lights. Or though the latter will be a little unfair on the passengers.

timhau · 8th October 2007, 07:12 AM

Precognition for all the state lottery numbers for the remainder of the year.

Either that, or the Jedi mind control trick.

tkingdoll · 8th October 2007, 07:43 AM

I choose 'being able to make street lamps go on or off at will'. Sadly, it wasn't a poll option

tuc0 · 8th October 2007, 08:45 AM

Damn! If "paranormal power actually existed" then lots of people would have them... I want to be the only one! But since I'm not I'll take the ability to curse people

And I curse all the gullible people in the world never to change and never to start using their brains"
Hmm I wonder how that is going to work out...

El Greco · 8th October 2007, 08:56 AM

I think I'd go with "God & Heaven", especially since you didn't add "Devil & Hell". It would be fun to exist for ever and perhaps have access to all the cool movies and video games of the year 250,004,451.

Precognition would also be good but only if I can affect the future. Otherwise I'd go for telepathy.

I'd also like the ability to induce orgasms in women just by (but not ONLY by) thinking about it.

Fnord · 8th October 2007, 09:08 AM

My first choice would be telekinesis -- I could totally pwn Halo 3!

My second choice would be The Shadow's "Ability To Cloud Men's Minds." I could be standing right in front of someone and never register in their perception.

eir_de_scania · 8th October 2007, 09:19 AM

Telekinesis, absolutely. It would simplify my life a lot, as I have arthritis in my hands.

Oh, and I like it to be of the "Accio" kind from the Harry Potter books. Finally I wouldn't have to search in vain for my reading glasses!

JonnyFive · 8th October 2007, 10:10 AM

I chose telekinesis, astral travel, god & heaven, & "some other." For some other I'd add: the ability to fly, the ability to shift through time and space, the ability to create reality from my will, immortality, invulnerability, and the ability to make myself forget selected information (otherwise eternity is going to be pretty boring).

But not the ability to predict the future or read minds. Less fun that way.

Basically, it'd be pretty swell to be a god that can selectively forget that he's been kicking around for six hundred million years and has pretty much done everything.

Good times, good times.

JoeTheJuggler · 8th October 2007, 10:30 AM

For all you who said telekinesis, what if using telekinesis required as much effort to do the same work as doing it through normal means would require?

Fnord · 8th October 2007, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by JoeTheJuggler

For all you who said telekinesis, what if using telekinesis required as much effort to do the same work as doing it through normal means would require?

Zero sum gain.

Fall back on clouding people's minds so that they don't perceive my existance even though I'm right in front of them.

ThatSoundAgain · 8th October 2007, 11:26 AM

"Some other".

First choice, being able to morph into any form I choose (however large or small). Could really get some fun social insights that way, and even put some vigilante champion for justice time in if I feel like it. (If this power is too complex, substitute with plain invisibility.)

Second choice, "computer whisperer", understanding current and future computers at a level where I could top the latest blockbuster game by staying in a few nights typing a long row of hex numbers.

Third choice, astral projection. I very nearly just clicked this option, as it sounds like fun. The others are more useful, though - I'm too social to not want my hypothetical power to elevate me in the view of others.

Madalch · 8th October 2007, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Fnord

Fall back on clouding people's minds so that they don't perceive my existance even though I'm right in front of them.

That's over-rated. That's how girls treated me all through high school.

genesplicer · 8th October 2007, 12:08 PM

I would like the ability to teleport anywhere flawlessly. Incorporated into this idea is the concept of distance viewing (So you can make sure the coast is clear before you teleport into an area) and an instant panic return to a safe zone, if something goes wrong. I also said flawless. I would like the stuff I'm wearing and holding to go with me, not to mention all my body parts.

Nothing worse than teleporting somewhere only to realize you are naked, missing a limb and have silverware stuck to your forehead...

Fnord · 8th October 2007, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Madalch

That's over-rated. That's how girls treated me all through high school.

Maybe you have a latent psychic talent!

Maybe I did too! It would explain why people know that I'm in a room before they enter.

"... body odor ..." -- As if!

schlitt · 8th October 2007, 01:11 PM

Hey TA,

under the "other" section, could i choose to be magic? Like a Genie that can grant wishes?
With that single ability you would have all of the others

TX50 · 8th October 2007, 01:26 PM

"other"; I want mastery of "The Force" - especially the Jedi mind trick and
Darth Vader's telekinetic strangle.

alfaniner · 8th October 2007, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by TX50

"other"; I want mastery of "The Force" - especially the Jedi mind trick and
Darth Vader's telekinetic strangle.

I'll just go about my business.

Moving along...

The Atheist · 8th October 2007, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by SusanB-M1

'None of the above' is my choice!

The sure sign of a woman who has everything already!

Originally Posted by Macoy

I'm going for "Auto-telekinesis", whereby the next time I am waiting to turn across the road into my drive in a 30 mph limit zone and some idiot comes around the corner at 60 I can immediately send them back to their point of departure, using all the fuel in their tank.

That's a great idea. I expect you'll be in high demand.

Originally Posted by tuc0

And I curse all the gullible people in the world never to change and never to start using their brains"
Hmm I wonder how that is going to work out...

Holy crap! You did it!

Apply for Randi's mio immediately!

Originally Posted by JoeTheJuggler

For all you who said telekinesis, what if using telekinesis required as much effort to do the same work as doing it through normal means would require?

Nope. You can design your own power, so it's going to be no work at all, just think and it's done. Ah, but that would make it work for some. Hard luck.

Originally Posted by genesplicer

I would like the ability to teleport anywhere flawlessly.

But Uri Geller can already do that!

Originally Posted by schlitt

Hey TA,

under the "other" section, could i choose to be magic? Like a Genie that can grant wishes?
With that single ability you would have all of the others

Absolutely, you can!

I'll put my order in for aperitif immediately. Think leggy blondes.

buzz lightyear · 8th October 2007, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by The Atheist

All of these things actually exist.

Of course they do TA,
And since the response to this thread has been so enthusiastic I tell you what I will do.
For just 5 easy payments of $499.99 you too can enroll in the Buzz Lightyear "ACADEMY OF MYSTIC ARTS".
Act now and receive your complimentary "Randi is a fraud " tee shirt.

psychic - talking to dead dudes	2	1.89%
telepath - can read all thoughts	21	19.81%
telekinetic - can move objects with mindpower	32	30.19%
astral travel - can travel light years while asleep	19	17.92%
precognition - can predict the future	19	17.92%
curse - able to cause evil to others	7	6.60%
dowsing - of any type	2	1.89%
god & heaven existing	11	10.38%
some other ability	21	19.81%
none of the above, my physical world is fine	12	11.32%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 106. You may not vote on this poll

7th October 2007, 06:04 PM	#1
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	What Paranormal Power Would You Choose? Thanks to this thread, I wondered what kind of paranormal power people would choose to have if paranormal power actually existed. (May have been done before, bad luck.) Personally, I'm going to have to think about it. Telekinesis appeals, but... Carrie. Telepathy appealed momentarily, but do I really want to know what you're thinking? Medium? Having dead blokes come and talk to me, no thanks! Fortune telling? Great; "You're going to get cancer of the bowel and die screaming." Nope. Astrology? Uranus is troubling you? I could have become a proctologist and said the same thing [phonetically]. Curses & spells? See: Carrie. God? Yeah right. I really want someone to compete for the loud mouth prize. Astral travel it is. Never mind Uranus, how are the Pleaides tonight? Poll now open. Apologies to Buzzlightyear, et al, but I chose not use the Poll option: All of these things actually exist.
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those. Last edited by The Atheist; 7th October 2007 at 06:14 PM. Reason: to edit it

7th October 2007, 07:36 PM	#2
JoeTheJuggler Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 12,913	If I could have any actual paranormal power--any at all? Anything that I could use to improve the lot of humankind? Anything that could be used to gain a greater understanding of things, perhaps to help with solving some of the worst problems facing us? Anything at all? It'd definitely be the power to bend spoons with my mind. And keys. Sometimes.
	__________________ "That is a very graphic analogy which aids understanding wonderfully while being, strictly speaking, wrong in every possible way." —Ponder Stibbons

7th October 2007, 07:48 PM	#3
Puppycow Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 7,060	I chose telepathy, telekinesis, precognition, and some other ability. Other abilities I might like would be the ability to fly, X-ray vision, etc. Dowsing would be too boring. I suppose if I could do that the first thing I would do would be apply for the JREF million dollar challange. But after that, it doesn't seem like something I would have much use for in my life. I've never had to search for water underground in my life so far.
	__________________ I can't come to bed yet, honey. Someone on the Internet is wrong. -XKCD Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. -Anonymous

7th October 2007, 08:08 PM	#5
grayman Happy-go-lucky Heretic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Casa del Whacko Posts: 5,884	I guess if I were a telepath I would enter the poker games at TAM. Plus, I'd be able to find out what "NOTHING" means when I ask the wife, "What's wrong?".
	__________________ Stupidity is a condition. Ignorance is a choice. - Wiley All great truths begin as blasphemies. - George Bernard Shaw God is evil. As soon as you accept that, it all makes sense. - Sledge

7th October 2007, 08:04 PM	#4
rsaavedra Muse Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 694	Being able to travel any length of time into the past as a completely passive, unnoticeable observer of any place in the world, returning unscathed with the knowledge of what was observed. Similar to what Harry Potter and Dumbledore were able to do through the "pensieve" but not limited to specific personal memories, unlimited in time and space. This paranormal power would allow someone to tell exactly what happened whenever/wherever in the past. This is the "Super-Witness" power Would be nice if more than one people had this power, so that there would always be a way to independently verify other witnesses' report on whatever they have witnessed. Witnesses shouldn't be able to "see" other witnesses while witnessing the past. I can write quite a few more rules of how this power would work, might even write a book about this at some point in my life

7th October 2007, 08:21 PM	#6
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Originally Posted by grayman Plus, I'd be able to find out what "NOTHING" means when I ask the wife, "What's wrong?". That's odd. That's precisely one of the reasons I wouldn't choose telepathy!
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those.

7th October 2007, 08:26 PM	#7
Meri Muse Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 692	I have to go with telekinesis. Not only could I be even lazier, but I could throw things at people and never be blamed for it. Also, of course, I could win 1 million dollars.
	__________________ It may help to understand human affairs to be clear that most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people. --Good Omens

7th October 2007, 08:55 PM	#8
Kilgore Trout Wuse Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tralfamadore Posts: 1,410	If these things actually exist, that means other people have them too? And how effective are these things? Is telekenesis just being able to make a scrap of paper spin on a needle? Or hurl a brick at someone? Is cursing someone limited to an ingrown toenail or keeling over with a wave of the hand? I would have little faith in mankind and I'd bet there would be a number of people that would use their superpower like a weapon, so I'd take the more powerful of either curse or telekenesis, for self defense if nothing else. If I'm the only one with the power, or the rest are weak enough to not pose a threat? Astral projection, for the sheer entertainment value, both terrestrial and interstellar.
	__________________ “I don't even know how to count.” -- Sylvia BrowneThis is invisible.“We're playing for blood, the stake is EARTH.” -- L. Ron HubbardThis is invisible.“I don't feel strong.” -- Uri Geller

7th October 2007, 08:58 PM	#9
Unalienable Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 295	Definitely not precognition. I already have precognition and it sucks. Most worthless "power" you can have, because even though you know what's going to happen, you can't stop it. And the details are always just hazy enough to prevent you from profiting from the knowledge. Some sort of cosmic law which prevents us precognitives from cashing in on our power. What a ripoff.

7th October 2007, 08:59 PM	#10
thatguywhojuggles Resident Juggler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,258	precognition... wait around for one of those multiple hundred million dollar lottery jackpots, win it. Use the money to teach the masses the scientific method. ETA Because if I really had precognition, there would be a scientific explanation for it... we'd still need science to explain the rest of the natural world.
	__________________ \/\/ALTER Juggler-Artist-Atheist My Portfolio/ResumÃ© "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger (4? B.C. - 65 A.D.) "A lie goes half way around the world before the truth has a chance to get his pants on." - Winston Churchill. Last edited by thatguywhojuggles; 7th October 2007 at 09:02 PM.

7th October 2007, 09:25 PM	#11
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Within smelling distance of the Grammar Death Camps Posts: 13,928	Originally Posted by Unalienable Definitely not precognition. I already have precognition and it sucks. Most worthless "power" you can have, because even though you know what's going to happen, you can't stop it. And the details are always just hazy enough to prevent you from profiting from the knowledge. Some sort of cosmic law which prevents us precognitives from cashing in on our power. What a ripoff. Damn, that must hurt, eh?
	__________________ Jeff Wagg, Communication and Outreach Manager for the James Randi Educational Foundation posted: It is my job to inform other JREF employees about people who wish to do the JREF harm, and you [The Atheist] are one of those.

7th October 2007, 10:41 PM	#12
GodMark2 Muse Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 680	Originally Posted by The Atheist Thanks to this thread, I wondered what kind of paranormal power people would choose to have if paranormal power actually existed. (May have been done before, bad luck.) Personally, I'm going to have to think about it. Telekinesis appeals, but... Carrie. Telepathy appealed momentarily, but do I really want to know what you're thinking? Medium? Having dead blokes come and talk to me, no thanks! Fortune telling? Great; "You're going to get cancer of the bowel and die screaming." Nope. Astrology? Uranus is troubling you? I could have become a proctologist and said the same thing [phonetically]. Curses & spells? See: Carrie. God? Yeah right. I really want someone to compete for the loud mouth prize. Astral travel it is. Never mind Uranus, how are the Pleaides tonight? Poll now open. Apologies to Buzzlightyear, et al, but I chose not use the Poll option: All of these things actually exist. Carrie? Just because you're telekenitic doesn't mean you'll have a psychotically religious mother and hunted by the government (or was that another telekenitic?). Telekenisis ! = phycosis. "You're going to get cancer of the bowel and die screaming."? Best get your living in now, and don't worry about amassing debt, you won't be around to have to pay it (though any kids you may have might not like that attitude) Any of those powers would be great, in some way. Except for that whole 'god existing'. I mean, what does that get me? Do I have to beg him for special favors, and if I get it slightly wrong, does he punish me for trying? Or is he a wish-washy God that gives anyone the same gifts, but they all suck? I'd rather have the power in my own hands than have to rely on a third party.
	__________________ Knowing that we do not know, it does not necessarily follow that we can not know.

7th October 2007, 11:47 PM	#13
SusanB-M1 Incurable Optimist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Almost in the New Forest, Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,807	'None of the above' is my choice!

8th October 2007, 01:36 AM	#14
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: On the other side of your screen. Posts: 31,084	"Some other". I'd have to go for the ability to become invisible at will. That would be so cool.
	__________________ Help Give Our Friend Nobby A Voice The Fighting Skeptic (Arthwollipot's blog).

8th October 2007, 01:39 AM	#15
shalomsteph Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: On the shores of Lake Superior Posts: 319	Originally Posted by arthwollipot "Some other". I'd have to go for the ability to become invisible at will. That would be so cool. Me too!! Think of the fun we could have!! Not to mention free flights, concerts, movies, famous people's houses...all that stuff!
	__________________ "Those who make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."--Voltaire

8th October 2007, 02:06 AM	#16
fagin Muse Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 626	Flying, fun, useful and doesn't infringe on the privacy of others. Except for the odd flight over Pamela Anderson's house.
fagin Muse Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 626

8th October 2007, 02:24 AM	#17
shalomsteph Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: On the shores of Lake Superior Posts: 319	Originally Posted by fagin Flying, fun, useful and doesn't infringe on the privacy of others. Except for the odd flight over Pamela Anderson's house. I guess I came out of anesthesia once and told the nurse I had been flying "like Superman". She asked why I wasn't flying like "superwoman" and I said, "Because men get paid more." I don't remember any of it, but my family swears to it. I DO fly in dreams, though. It is fun.
	__________________ "Those who make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."--Voltaire

8th October 2007, 02:47 AM	#18
buzz lightyear Muse Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 650	Originally Posted by The Athiest Poll now open. Apologies to Buzzlightyear, et al, but I chose not use the Poll option: . ??????????????? I'm hip to the apology TA, but what is it for? Although I realise that part of your anger management is to repent for your sins and you have really been a good boy lately, this is a bit weird. Also, all this talk about wanting to astral travel and communicating with dead folks,....you been drinking again?
buzz lightyear Muse Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 650	Last edited by buzz lightyear; 8th October 2007 at 02:53 AM.

8th October 2007, 04:30 AM	#19
Cuddles Decoy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A magical land full of pink fluffy sheeps and bunnies Posts: 11,531	I'd go with telekinesis. Pretty much the same reasons as TA for not wanting the other ones but, as GodMark said, telepathy doesn't necessarily make you psychotic. And if it did, at least it would be more fun than being psychotic and not telekinetic.
	__________________ Don't worry, be happy.

8th October 2007, 04:40 AM	#20
RenaissanceBiker Eats shoots and leaves. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,916	I went with "God and Heaven Existing." If I had the power to cause God to exist, I would simply never use it.
	__________________ "Truth does not contradict truth." - St. Augustine "Faith often contradicts faith. Therefore faith is not an indication of truth." - RenaissanceBiker

8th October 2007, 04:40 AM	#21
Bethany Student Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland Posts: 35	I went with telepathy, and I'd probably end up regretting it, but I am curious what other people's minds are like. Hopefully I'd be able to shut it off at will, too, or it would really suck. And although I am overly curious about what other people think, I have to say that I am not curious about the future, so precognition would be my last choice on that list. You'd probably end up spending all your time running around and trying to save people from the inevitable.

8th October 2007, 05:18 AM	#22
Macoy Writing on water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,354	I'm going for "Auto-telekinesis", whereby the next time I am waiting to turn across the road into my drive in a 30 mph limit zone and some idiot comes around the corner at 60 I can immediately send them back to their point of departure, using all the fuel in their tank. This can also work on everyone who carves me up on motorways and any other road. Or tailgaters. Or buses that jump red lights. Or though the latter will be a little unfair on the passengers.
Macoy Writing on water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,354	__________________ Realists live in a world of their own Last edited by Macoy; 8th October 2007 at 05:20 AM. Reason: isbe

8th October 2007, 07:12 AM	#23
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: East of Sweeden Posts: 4,115	Precognition for all the state lottery numbers for the remainder of the year. Either that, or the Jedi mind control trick.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

8th October 2007, 07:43 AM	#24
tkingdoll AKA TEEK Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Up Myself Posts: 12,471	I choose 'being able to make street lamps go on or off at will'. Sadly, it wasn't a poll option
	__________________ www.stormmovie.net Official website of Tim Minchin's Storm Movie

8th October 2007, 08:45 AM	#25
tuc0 Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 441	Damn! If "paranormal power actually existed" then lots of people would have them... I want to be the only one! But since I'm not I'll take the ability to curse people And I curse all the gullible people in the world never to change and never to start using their brains" Hmm I wonder how that is going to work out...
tuc0 Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 441

8th October 2007, 08:56 AM	#26
El Greco Summer worshipper Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Παρά θιν'αλός Posts: 12,013	I think I'd go with "God & Heaven", especially since you didn't add "Devil & Hell". It would be fun to exist for ever and perhaps have access to all the cool movies and video games of the year 250,004,451. Precognition would also be good but only if I can affect the future. Otherwise I'd go for telepathy. I'd also like the ability to induce orgasms in women just by (but not ONLY by) thinking about it.
	__________________ "As though it were not I but someone else / I went way through life No matter how careful one is / No matter if one chases after things Always, it will always be too late / There is no second life." - The Complaint - Odysseas Elytis

8th October 2007, 09:08 AM	#27
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pantopia Posts: 4,911	My first choice would be telekinesis -- I could totally pwn Halo 3! My second choice would be The Shadow's "Ability To Cloud Men's Minds." I could be standing right in front of someone and never register in their perception.
	__________________ *"When I say, "Evidence, Please?" I am not asking for another statement of faith.* *I am asking for the evidence that supports that faith.* *Faith proves nothing."* -- Fnord, Pointing Out the Obvious to the Oblivious Since 1957.

8th October 2007, 09:19 AM	#28
eir_de_scania Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Sweden Posts: 131	Telekinesis, absolutely. It would simplify my life a lot, as I have arthritis in my hands. Oh, and I like it to be of the "Accio" kind from the Harry Potter books. Finally I wouldn't have to search in vain for my reading glasses!
	__________________ Never mind what should be or what might be or what ought to be. It's what's things are that's important" Granny Weatherwax

8th October 2007, 10:10 AM	#29
JonnyFive Insurance Underwriter of Doom Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,473	I chose telekinesis, astral travel, god & heaven, & "some other." For some other I'd add: the ability to fly, the ability to shift through time and space, the ability to create reality from my will, immortality, invulnerability, and the ability to make myself forget selected information (otherwise eternity is going to be pretty boring). But not the ability to predict the future or read minds. Less fun that way. Basically, it'd be pretty swell to be a god that can selectively forget that he's been kicking around for six hundred million years and has pretty much done everything. Good times, good times.
	__________________ "If you drink virus water ,i must say ‘don't drink it,it is trap’." -Emre_1974tr Ex-defendant in Simpson v. Randi, et al.

8th October 2007, 10:30 AM	#30
JoeTheJuggler Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 12,913	For all you who said telekinesis, what if using telekinesis required as much effort to do the same work as doing it through normal means would require?
	__________________ "That is a very graphic analogy which aids understanding wonderfully while being, strictly speaking, wrong in every possible way." —Ponder Stibbons

8th October 2007, 10:43 AM	#31
Fnord Metasyntactic Variable Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pantopia Posts: 4,911	Originally Posted by JoeTheJuggler For all you who said telekinesis, what if using telekinesis required as much effort to do the same work as doing it through normal means would require? Zero sum gain. Fall back on clouding people's minds so that they don't perceive my existance even though I'm right in front of them.
	__________________ *"When I say, "Evidence, Please?" I am not asking for another statement of faith.* *I am asking for the evidence that supports that faith.* *Faith proves nothing."* -- Fnord, Pointing Out the Obvious to the Oblivious Since 1957.

8th October 2007, 11:26 AM	#32
ThatSoundAgain Muse Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: cph Posts: 844	"Some other". First choice, being able to morph into any form I choose (however large or small). Could really get some fun social insights that way, and even put some vigilante champion for justice time in if I feel like it. (If this power is too complex, substitute with plain invisibility.) Second choice, "computer whisperer", understanding current and future computers at a level where I could top the latest blockbuster game by staying in a few nights typing a long row of hex numbers. Third choice, astral projection. I very nearly just clicked this option, as it sounds like fun. The others are more useful, though - I'm too social to not want my hypothetical power to elevate me in the view of others.

8th October 2007, 11:32 AM	#33
Madalch The Jester Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The wet coast. Posts: 5,483	Originally Posted by Fnord Fall back on clouding people's minds so that they don't perceive my existance even though I'm right in front of them. That's over-rated. That's how girls treated me all through high school.
	__________________ As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of resolving approaches zero. -Vaarsuvius

8th October 2007, 12:08 PM	#34
genesplicer Critical Thinker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Riverside county, CA Posts: 294	I would like the ability to teleport anywhere flawlessly. Incorporated into this idea is the concept of distance viewing (So you can make sure the coast is clear before you teleport into an area) and an instant panic return to a safe zone, if something goes wrong. I also said flawless. I would like the stuff I'm wearing and holding to go with me, not to mention all my body parts. Nothing worse than teleporting somewhere only to realize you are naked, missing a limb and have silverware stuck to your forehead...