The big problem with either is that I’d be tempted to interfere with society’s freedoms. I don’t really want to become God Emperor, or Big Boss Man, but it would be damn hard not to.
I chose telepathy, because I could (maybe?) keep it secret. If I used it extremely delicately, no one need ever know that anything supernatural is going on at all. On rare occasions, bad people might renounce their evil.
Also, with a subtle approach, things don’t go pear-shaped when (eventually) I die of natural causes. No one need ever know the super-power existed at all. (Can I bequeath it to a worthy successor, like a magic ring? Hm… Really high odds that, some time down the road, things go very badly… Best not.)
Just a follow up to my earlier comment on how I in no way could be trusted with the mind control abilities…
In less than 90 minutes of running errands today, I counted 5 times I would have used it.
Person in parking lot driving wrong way down a one way at high speeds, then going to the next aisle over and doing the same thing.
person in grocery store took off mask to talk loudly on phone with someone. After I bypassed and came back later to get the item I skipped, they were still there, still doing the same, approx 3-5 minutes later.
A couple in the same grocery store not wearing masks, not having them visible (despite the store posting notices that they are required) and giving the evil eye to anyone who looked at them (probably assuming [ correctly ] that we were judging the bleeep out of them)
Person merging into traffic with me on the interstate (their lane ends) cutting me off after the lane ended and they’d been driving on the shoulder trying to get ahead of slow traffic.
So 5 times (4 if I only count the couple as a single use). And that’s without trying to use my powers to change the world (the quick trip to DC others have mentioned). Yup, I’d absolutely be on the fast track to petty supervillian status.
Not that I disagree, but we’re talking about the real world, not the world of comics. The self control shown by many heroic characters moves beyond the realm of of saintly into the infinite mercy of god level. I am not one of those, and based on most corporate leaders and politicians, many people with power find with great power you grab for more power.
I voted for the stronger, faster, and tougher. I’m not at all sure that the telepath wouldn’t have more raw POWER than the strongman, but it would come at the cost of being a creepy mind-raping mentally-dominating telepath. I wouldn’t want anyone else to have such power, so it’s only fair that I deny that power to myself as well.
sigh Yes, we’ve been asked what ‘WE’ would pick. -I- live in the real world. You can only speak for yourself, you may be trapped in a Matrix simulation for all I know.
I have no desire to read or control everyone in a 20 mile radius. However - if you can be selective about it that changes things. “Say Babe, I know we just met and this sounds crazy but…”
You are soooooo much nicer than me. I’d do it just to fuck with Trump and the right wing, especially Fox.
First, I’d have Trump withdraw Barrett by tweeting that he had a better candidate. Have Fox rave on about how wonderful that is. Then, then next day, have him nominate Ivanka for the specific reason of supporting him including his eventual tax questions. Watch the fallout.
Have him take even more outlandish and illegal steps, although it’s playing with Poe’s Law, just to watch Fox agree with him, no matter. Then have him flip the next day. Then back again.
Have Trump order Barr to have Biden arrested by the FBI on trumped up charges. Barr refuses, he gets sacked and we have the Saturday night massacre. Have Trump’s chief of staff also refuse and get sacked. Clear out the entire West Wing and watch Fox news’ coverage for entertainment.
Fire his entire campaign leadership and have Jared take over, then fire him.
Then do the next debate and humiliate himself. Really humiliate him.
Of course, once I get started then I’d turn into a real SOB, so it’s a good thing I can’t play god.
I have to be honest, the ability to take down Trump, McConnell and put things back in balance is awfully tempting.
I could certainly use the power to set myself up financially, siphoning off a miniscule fraction of a percent of a few multi billionaires’ fortunes. Then I can go about traveling the country, trying to right the wrongs, racism, sexism, violence, crime, you name it.
It’s a much more powerful option, but clearly a risk of being abused.
The mind-control option is definitely far more powerful and useful, in this poll. Imagine how much power one could wield over elections if you are in a big city, where millions may be living within a 20-mile radius.
You could go to New York City, stand in the middle of Manhattan, mind-control the city, and essentially swing the entire election outcome of the entire state of New York.
Ditto for Pennsylvania; by standing in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and mind-controlling, you’d sway the entire Pennsylvania election outcome.
I don’t want to control or hurt people or invade their privacy, so the mind power option holds no appeal to me. Being superhuman is small benefit too - physical feats hold no interest for me. But I’m presuming I have full control over it (as in, won’t accidentally destroy my house, even if I accidentally bump into things), so I will be able to completely contain it - but it’ll still be useful when I need to move furniture and such. So it has some use, so I’ll take it over the other.
ETA: and yes, I’m aware that the mind powers are by far the more powerful option. I’m just not interested in that kind of power.
The fact that you are talking about “useful”, rather than “ethical”, worries me.
How would you feel, if I used mind control to command your vote?
How would one make an honest living with either of these powers?
Physical: police officer; firefighter; Hollywood stuntperson.
Mental: marriage councilor; addiction therapist.
Mmm. The number of options for honest living is endless for physical. But for the mental powers, I’d argue none of them are. If you are using the reading, even if it is for their own benefit, you’d likely be doing it without their permission ie invasion of privacy. If you’re using the active, again, without their permission, even with the best intentions, you are using force.
Now, if you could/would get permission, then a lot of the previous mentioned options such as therapist, addiction counselor, etc would be viable. But then you’d be at a huge risk of others finding out about your powers and potentially trying to kill you out of fear of your inhuman powers.
