# How can I block telepathy? (In fiction, of course) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699 "2003-12-08T05:16:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/41 "2003-12-10T11:13:52Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* \*\*The most effective way, of course: > [@](#): > > “Tenser, said the Tensor. > Tenser, said the Tensor. > Tension, apprehension, > And dissention have begun.” > _– Alfred Bester, The Demolished Man_ > 🙂 \*\* Or, of course: > [@](#): > > He thrusts his fists > Against the posts > But still insists > He sees the ghosts > _–Curt Siodmak, **Donnovan’s Brain** _ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/42 "2003-12-10T17:50:11Z")
> [@](#): > > If you’re going to drill a hole in your forehead, you’ve got to really commit. So many sig lines, so little time… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/43 "2003-12-11T00:58:54Z")
Masturbation. Or voluntary temporary insanity, brought on by something along the lines of Zen-like contemplation (but different). ---
**Author:** ![c\_carol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@c\_carol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_carol)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/44 "2003-12-12T01:24:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Complete single mindedness would also block most telepaths Drat it, BraheSilver beat me to mentioning _Carpe Jugulum_. Pratchett’s vampires find single-minded people easy to control. A foggy mind is harder, and people with multiple personalities are the most resistant of all. ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/45 "2003-12-12T07:08:27Z")
You could also break telepathy via the method used in **Minority Report** , although you need to set up an extremely specific set of circumstances. Imagine all the things you would do to fool a lie detector, and you’re close to being able to fool a telepath. Imagine a foil beanie, and a pair of walkmen–one blasting garbled high-speed punk, one playing Ira Glass on “This American Life” talking about animal husbandry. Add in visual footage of animals hunting, or rub a cologne or perfume that triggers juvenile memories under your nose. Then stick to activities that you can do blindfolded, in the dark, like cleaning a rifle. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/46 "2003-12-12T15:38:25Z")
In the world of Role-playing with Psionics there are several ways of going about blocking psionics. I role-play and run games called Amber DRPG. In this world we have a stat called Psyche. Mental strength. One way to block a telepath is to simply have a higher Psyche. A person reading the mind of somebody with a pyche with compareable or greater psyche must enter a mind battle to break into a persons mind. In Amber we make them spend points for powers and abilities. I have done and seen the 5 point breakdown method. 5 points for telepathy, and in incriments of 5, thus you can buy more Telepathy (and thus have much more control over it, psyche is your strength, not control). A person can buy 5 points of something called Psionic Defense. 5 points will flat out block 5 points of telepathy. Some GM’s have taken Psionic Defense and made a version of it that is Area Effect. Your psyche determins the range of this effect, and any powers are dampened. (5 points of AE dampening, blocks 5 points worth of psionics, and lowers the control of somebody with 10 points down to a psuedo 5 pt level) Needless to say, such a method could easily be implimented in fiction. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/47 "2003-12-12T19:11:23Z")
My mind is slowly turing to mush. I can’t remember where I saw this, but it was recently and on the glass teat. think of the ocean picture the breaking waves no trees no sand no sky. Just the waves. Just a way to clear one’s mind I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699/48 "2003-12-12T21:03:02Z")
Anger, hate, strong negative emotions. Worked for Captain Christopher Pike on the first _Star Trek_ pilot. Of course, you can’t keep that up for long… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-block-telepathy-in-fiction-of-course/217699.md?page=2)