# If it were possible, you accept a new sense? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478 "2011-05-27T20:09:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/1 "2011-05-27T20:09:30Z")
Poll to follow. Basically some [birds can see the north pole](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetoception), and some fish can [perceive electrical](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroreception) fields. There’s others. Some snakes can sense inferred, many animals see in ultraviolet. Birds are said to have four primary colors, etc. The rest of the electromagnetic spectrum opens up some possibilities too. Basically if a surgery, device, or pill (guaranteed by a source you 100% trust) could give you a new sense, or expand a current sense to new worlds of functionality (example dog level of smelling ability) with no side affects worse than the benefits from the new sense, would you take it? The new sense may or may not be analogous to your current senses, but you won’t lose functionality (so if you got radio vision, you’d still be able to perceive viable light as you do now) ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/2 "2011-05-27T20:43:26Z")
I don’t see a downside to having another sensory input. You get more information about the world around you. I’d like to be able to sense where other people are nearby, roughly how far away they are and what direction they might be moving in. So that I could know, for example, that there are two people 20 meters over this way and one person 100 meters over thataway. It would come in handy in a game of paint ball. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/3 "2011-05-27T20:57:29Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > I don’t see a downside to having another sensory input. You get more information about the world around you. > > . There are times when an extreme sense of smell could be a downside. But what the heck, you only live once. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/4 "2011-05-27T21:39:34Z")
It would be cool to sense the level of good/evil in people, like in some form of a grayscale. ---
**Author:** ![RollOutTheBarrel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rolloutthebarrel/32/1649_2.png) [@RollOutTheBarrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RollOutTheBarrel)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/5 "2011-05-30T03:35:41Z")
If the new sense would keep me up at night, I think I would pass. On the other hand, if I could block or dull it by closing my eyes or wearing earplugs or something similar, then sign me up! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/6 "2011-05-30T03:57:28Z")
I want more colours, so I’d like to see in infrared and ultraviolet. I want to see what octaves in colours look like. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/7 "2011-05-30T04:01:21Z")
I’m assuming that I get to keep the sense indefinitely, and that it doesn’t burn out after five minutes leaving me forever with a memory of a great Martian symphony that I can never again experience. ---
**Author:** ![YaraMateo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/58f4c7/32.png) [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/8 "2011-05-30T04:09:55Z")
No. I’ve known people who’ve had a sixth sense. These people who were not frauds and you had to know them very well for them to tell you. I’ve noticed they were prone to depression and other such things. I don’t think you can “have it all”. You suggested nothing would be lost, I don’t think that’s a guarantee. Besides, if you any type of ability that others didn’t have you could be exploited. Now, if you’ve had the sense since childhood or everyone had these powers, I think it fare better. Lastly, I think unless we’ve been through a generation or two of such enhancements most people have some problems managing the sensory/information overload that would probably happen. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/9 "2011-05-30T04:37:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m assuming that I get to keep the sense indefinitely, and that it doesn’t burn out after five minutes leaving me forever with a memory of a great Martian symphony that I can never again experience. Ha! What was that story called again, I’ve forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/10 "2011-05-30T05:04:38Z")
I’d take a grab bag of new and enhanced senses if they were offered. The ability to sense electrical and magnetic fields, wider spectrum vision, the ability to see light polarization, better sense of smell, built in radar & sonar, the ability to sense radiation, extra internal senses so to better know what parts of me are damaged, ill or stressed, built in micro and telescopic vision, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/11 "2011-05-30T05:51:52Z")
Sign me up. ---
**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:** [May 30, 2011, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/12 "2011-05-30T06:01:15Z")
If it was a device or a medication, maybe, if only so I could try it out without being stuck with it permanently before finding out it would drive me insane. I’ll admit, even with that, I’d _still_ be wary about even trying telepathy, though. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/13 "2011-05-30T06:06:23Z")
[7 Superpowered Animal Senses You Won’t Believe Are Possible](http://www.cracked.com/article_18837_7-superpowered-animal-senses-you-wont-believe-are-possible.html) ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/14 "2011-05-30T06:08:08Z")
I’d totally go for just about anything. If the practice of [embedding magnets in fingertips](http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mods/news/2006/06/71087) becomes popular, I’d join in. (Maybe magnets superglued to a golf-glove would work?) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/15 "2011-05-31T12:01:46Z")
> [@YaraMateo](#): > > No. I’ve known people who’ve had a sixth sense. These people who were not frauds and you had to know them very well for them to tell you. I’ve noticed they were prone to depression and other such things. I don’t think you can “have it all”. You suggested nothing would be lost, I don’t think that’s a guarantee. Besides, if you any type of ability that others didn’t have you could be exploited. What did the sixth sense entail, if you don’t mind me asking (and assuming you did)? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/16 "2011-06-01T03:09:06Z")
If I could see in the infrared, I’d be able to _see_ people fart. How long before the amusing becomes a horrible prison in your mind?! ---
**Author:** ![SunSandSuffering](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@SunSandSuffering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunSandSuffering)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/17 "2011-06-01T15:40:10Z")
I’ve got at least eight senses, I’m sure you all do too: Sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell, ability to sense temperature, ability to sense changes in air pressure, ability to detect changes in pitch (balance). Sixth sense? Meh. (edited for typo) ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/18 "2011-06-01T15:48:55Z")
> [@SunSandSuffering](#): > > I’ve got at least eight senses, I’m sure you all do too: > Sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell, ability to sense temperature, ability to sense changes in air pressure, ability to detect changes in pitch (balance). > > Sixth sense? Meh. > > (edited for typo) Oh yeah? Well I can [sense where my limbs are](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprioception) WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING! I’m so good at it, that I can touch my fingers behind my head on the first try. ON THE FIRST TRY! ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/19 "2011-06-01T16:03:51Z")
I’ve got one two three four five Senses working overtime Trying to tell the difference Between lemon and lime, Pain and pleasure And the churchbells softly chime. I’d love to be able to _definitively_ sense attraction and/or arousal in the opposite gender. (I have been able to taste arousal in a few partners’ saliva, but would love something more failsafe and easier to acquire the information.) ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478/20 "2011-06-01T17:05:46Z")
BBC Horizon did an episode called “Seeing is Believing” and had some studies where they gave people the ability to sense magnetic north, it was pretty cool. (short answer, they wore a special belt with buzzers in all around it and it would buzz in the direction of magnetic north every so often. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-it-were-possible-you-accept-a-new-sense/583478.md?page=2)