# Could you be trusted with the Jedi Mind Trick? How about Vulcan touch-telepathy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442 "2013-03-08T23:55:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/21 "2013-03-09T05:43:24Z")
Incidentally, using the Jedi Mind Trick to win poker tournaments is not evil. It is not common knowledge among mortals, but Vegas is co-owned by Loki and Set. Thor and my other regular employer, Bast, are both cool with screwing over dark gods whenever the opportunity presents itself. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/22 "2013-03-09T05:56:01Z")
This is not the response you were looking for. (Did it work? Shit.) Jedi powers for me, thanks. As to whether I can be trusted, it really does depend on the specifics of what you mean by that. The Jedi mind trick is essentially Superpowered Lying. Morally speaking, I already have no problem lying to those I genuinely believe would behave irrationally with the truth. This covers everything from “white lies” (my mother would be upset that I hate her new haircut, even though it doesn’t make me think any less of her, so I tell her I love it) to standard-issue deception (at my first job, admitting I wasn’t a Christian would have been a one-way ticket to unemployment despite having no bearing on my performance, so I beat the Bible with the best of 'em). I’m not going to stop doing that just because I have mind powers — the only purpose they’d serve would be letting me get lax with my acting skills. So, if you’re cool with that, then yes, I can be trusted; I’m not going to use them to rob banks or commission murders. But if you’re looking to turn me into a font of purest honesty, no dice. Had to think about the pudding. I generally don’t like mine sullied with plant matter, but raisins are fairly inoffensive and it looks good otherwise, so I’ll vote ‘yes.’ ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/23 "2013-03-09T12:31:48Z")
Even if it’s better at getting information, the Mind Meld seems a bit too intimate and personal to be comfortable for me, especially if I’m using it for evil. Mind, while I’m pretty certain to use the mind trick for “evil,” how “evil” that really is will depend a lot on your point of view, though. “I’m going to repeal Vatican II!” “You don’t want to repeal Vatican II.” “Naah, I don’t want to repeal anything.” “You want to go away and rethink your life.” “I’m going to go away and rethink my life…” :D: dubious: ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/24 "2013-03-09T14:24:55Z")
I’m going with the Jedi mind trick. After using it to get Bill Gates to give me a grant of $200,000 a year for the next 30 years to conduct idiosyncratic research of the Internet, I’d spend some of my free time in the House and Senate spectators’ galleries, breaking filibusters and affecting the outcome of the occasional close vote. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/25 "2013-03-09T17:36:41Z")
Turn me into a light-saberless Jedi! And I dunno, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t use it for _evil_, necessarily, but self-advancement in some form? Yeah, probably. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/26 "2013-03-09T18:39:04Z")
You can trust me with this Jedi mind trick. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/27 "2013-03-09T19:01:06Z")
So, what’s the penalty for misusing the powers? ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/28 "2013-03-09T19:28:38Z")
Jedi Mind Tricks: I would use them only for good.\* [sub][sub][sub]\*for varying definitions of good. Well, they’d be good for ME, anyway.[/sub][/sub][/sub] ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/29 "2013-03-09T20:54:36Z")
Jedi Mind Trick please. Also, does the bread pudding come with hard sauce? I love bread pudding with hard sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/30 "2013-03-09T21:20:40Z")
Bear in mind, FWIW, that Spock eventually learned to do mind-melds, including incepting thoughts into another person’s mind, without touching and from a distance. This was shown in two episodes that I recall: The one with Rojan the Kelvan & Friends (“By Any Other Name”), and I think the other one was the episode with the Yangs and the Kohms (“The Omega Glory”). ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/31 "2013-03-09T22:26:56Z")
And in fact Spock could attempt some limited mental contact without physical before that: he uses it on the Horta but then has to actually touch it for more complete communication, and he uses it in “A Taste Of Armageddon” to help break himself and Kirk out of a holding cell. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/32 "2013-03-10T16:35:40Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Bear in mind, FWIW, that Spock eventually learned to do mind-melds, including incepting thoughts into another person’s mind, without touching and from a distance. > > This was shown in two episodes that I recall: The one with Rojan the Kelvan & Friends (“By Any Other Name”), and I think the other one was the episode with the Yangs and the Kohms (“The Omega Glory”). I think he could always do it from a distance; it was just that serious probing required physical touch, as did interaction with non-humanoids. > [@gotpasswords](#): > > So, what’s the penalty for misusing the powers? 😕 Have we met? Why on Earth would I penalize you for misusing the powers (on anyone but me and mine, that is)? RhE just wants to find out how many people get corrupted. You don’t need to know why. > [@silenus](#): > > Jedi without a moments hesitation. The Force powers include telekinesis, no? Nope. Just the mind trick. The telekinesis-implantation is a different research study and comes with a “blow subject’s head up if he plans violence towards Rhymers” cranial implant. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/33 "2013-03-10T16:54:09Z")
Me: Turn me into a light-saberless Jedi! You: ZAP! There you go. Me: [waves hand] I said, “Make me a round-eared Vulcan!” You: [a bit dazed] You said, “Make me a round-eared Vulcan!” ZAP! There you go. Me: [waves hand] You will release me safely from this cage. You: I will release you safely from the cage. ---
**Author:** ![notsoheavyd3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/85e7bf/32.png) [@notsoheavyd3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notsoheavyd3)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/34 "2013-03-10T17:10:38Z")
So wait with the Jedi stuff do we get only the suggestion stuff or do we also get the whole taking away people’s free will part as well? Oh well, I’d want the Jedi stuff. Mostly I’d use it to get out of speeding tickets. At first I thought that was an abuse but then I remembered speeding tickets are for the most part a government scam and using it to get out of them wouldn’t be an abuse anyway. (I suppose I could use it for a greater good and just sit in traffic court fairly often and force the judge to do the right thing and dismiss most of them.) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/35 "2013-03-10T17:15:32Z")
Jedi mind powers and five seconds later, I’ll be at the 7-11 getting free gum. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/36 "2013-03-10T17:36:56Z")
I, as a paragon of virtue devoted to the Consentience, am willing to take the burden of Jedi Powers[sup]tm[/sup] upon my substantial shoulders. I pledge that I will only use for good and never evil [sub](as defined by my own personal constructs of those concepts… and no, I won’t explain that to you, puny mortal!)[/sub] So, when might I expect delivery, and is there anything I can do for you in return, oh Great He-Who-Gives-The-_Rith_-To-_Arithmos_? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/37 "2013-03-10T18:23:57Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Me: Turn me into a light-saberless Jedi! > You: ZAP! There you go. > Me: [waves hand] I said, “Make me a round-eared Vulcan!” > You: [a bit dazed] You said, “Make me a round-eared Vulcan!” ZAP! There you go. > Me: [waves hand] You will release me safely from this cage. > You: I will release you safely from the cage. Evil!Skald is not an idiot. If you’ll check theOP, you’ll see that saying the code phrase not only triggers the automatic zapper, but also teleports you back to work, so he is outside your range. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/38 "2013-03-10T18:53:52Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Evil!Skald is not an idiot. If you’ll check theOP, you’ll see that saying the code phrase not only triggers the automatic zapper, but also teleports you back to work, so he is outside your range. Curses. Let’s try this again: Me: Turn me into a light-saberless Jedi! You: ZAP! There you go. And now for the Me: [waves hand crazily] IsaidMakemearoundearedVulcan! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/39 "2013-03-10T18:56:34Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Curses. Let’s try this again: > > Me: Turn me into a light-saberless Jedi! > You: ZAP! There you go. And now for the > Me: [waves hand crazily] IsaidMakemearoundearedVulcan! \*\*AU-TO-MA-TIC \*\* zapper/teleporter unit. I mean, seriously. Why would Evil!Skald be in the chamber with the lava pit in the first place? He’s heard of convection, and he is not a Republic Serial villain. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442/40 "2013-03-10T19:18:44Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > \*\*AU-TO-MA-TIC \*\* zapper/teleporter unit. > > I mean, seriously. Why would Evil!Skald be in the chamber with the lava pit in the first place? He’s heard of convection, and he is not a Republic Serial villain. Nice try, but that voice said “um,” and you’ve got more pride in your work than to program an “um” into an automatic message. You left an Expendable Goon ™ in there to throw the switch, and Expendable Goons ™ are infamously susceptible to Jedi Mind Tricks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-trusted-with-the-jedi-mind-trick-how-about-vulcan-touch-telepathy/652442.md?page=3)