# The Devil Asks: What do you wish for? **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [January 20, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024 "2021-01-20T22:07:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/201 "2023-02-21T06:39:44Z")
The location is Earth. I wish for cats to have opposable thumbs. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/202 "2023-02-21T11:52:56Z")
Cats now instinctively program all electronic appliances, computers and mobile platforms to benefit themselves solely. The human race is relegated to slave status at the whims of their feline gods. Cat adherents say it was already that way and now it’s official. I wish I actually had a soul to sell. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/203 "2023-02-21T15:34:26Z")
You now have a soul to sell but it’s Donald Trump’s and the Devil doesn’t want it so you need to find an entity who does. Art of the deal, baby. The closest I’ve ever gotten to winning in axe throwing leagues is 2nd place. I wish I could win it all in the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/204 "2023-02-21T16:17:02Z")
You get 1st place…but are designated as the ‘catcher’. I wish all the women were strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/205 "2023-02-21T17:58:31Z")
Your stated wish is granted, but the public finds out you were the one responsible. Hyper-vigilant PC folk are up in arms about it. I asked ChatGPT for its opinion, and it said: > This wish was seen as offensive for several reasons: > > 1. Gender Stereotypes: The statement assumes that women need to be strong and that men need to be good-looking, perpetuating gender stereotypes. It also implies that being physically attractive is more important for men than it is for women. > > 2. Unrealistic Expectations: The statement sets up unrealistic expectations for all women to be strong, all men to be good-looking, and all children to be above average. It is impossible for everyone to fit into these categories, which can create feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. > > 3. Comparison and Shaming: The statement also implies that women who are not strong, men who are not good-looking, and children who are not above average are somehow inferior or deficient, which can be hurtful and shaming. > > 4. Ignorance of Individual Differences: The statement overlooks individual differences and unique qualities that each person possesses, regardless of their gender or age. It is important to recognize and appreciate diversity rather than trying to fit everyone into a narrow set of characteristics. > > Overall, this wish perpetuated harmful stereotypes, promoted unrealistic expectations, and ignored individual differences, which was offensive and hurtful to many people. You end up cancelled just like Garrison Keillor was. I wish _Live From Here_, the show that evolved out of _APHC_ after Keillor left, was back on the air. ---
**Author:** ![Ferris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ferris/32/11573_2.png) [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/206 "2023-02-22T00:12:21Z")
Show repeats are now 24/7 on all channels, to the exclusion of all other shows. I wish I was a competent sketch artist. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/207 "2023-02-22T00:45:58Z")
> [@Ponderoid](#): > > I asked ChatGPT for its opinion, and it said: Huh. I asked and got an answer: > [@](#): > > Granted, all the women are now strong, all the men are now incredibly good-looking, and all the children are above average. However, this change in everyone’s abilities and appearance has created an unexpected side-effect. > > The sudden shift in the population’s physical and mental capabilities has caused a global shift in gender roles, beauty standards, and academic expectations. Women who were previously not considered strong enough are now expected to take on more physically demanding jobs, leading to widespread exhaustion and injury. Men who were previously not as good-looking are now under tremendous pressure to maintain their appearance, leading to a rise in plastic surgeries and beauty standards. Children who were previously considered average are now struggling to keep up with the new expectations, leading to widespread anxiety and stress. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/208 "2023-02-22T00:50:27Z")
That’s a good response too. I did have in mind the “get cancelled just like Garrison Keillor” result before I started, and made sure my prompt would get that kind of output. ETA: > [@Ferris](#): > > Show repeats are now 24/7 on all channels, to the exclusion of all other shows. I can live with that! Check out their performances on youtube before the pandemic turned it into “Live from Home” and ultimately killed the show. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/209 "2023-02-22T00:51:24Z")
Ah hah. I see! I just asked it for a “trickster genie” response to the verbatim wish. ---
**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2023, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024/210 "2023-02-23T07:34:28Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I see! I just asked it for a “trickster genie” response to the verbatim wish. Speaking of ‘trickster genie’, Randall Munroe must be a closet reader of this thread. [![](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/wish_interpretation_2x.png) ](https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/wish_interpretation_2x.png) _ **-“BB”-** _ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-devil-asks-what-do-you-wish-for/931024.md?page=10)