The Evil Question

[Emerald Oak]

This probably belongs in T&P, but it'd get more adience here and I'm really interested in everyone's response. Here's a run down of all the questions... An evil genie (use your imagination!) asks you what you wish for... One wish only, and there's a high price to all of them.


1) The lives of the ones you love are spared, though you'll lose all ability to love ever again.

2) You attain ultimate zen, though everyone who ever sees you again will suddenly have an insane hatred towards you.

3) You are granted the perfect life--Perfect spouse, loads of money, everything you ever wanted--But your life falls apart in the last decade of your existance, forcing you to live in an awful state for ten years. (I forgot what this question was when I posted the poll :p Deal with it.)

4) You are granted power over everyone, but you live a lonely life.

5) Immortality (this has it's obvious advantages and drawbacks).


Okay, so this is a little depressing/morbid, but I'm still curious as to what everyone would wish for. And NO, you can't wish for nothing ;) It has to be one of the five.

[Mithrea]

Hey I already have number 4! :p Do I still have to choose one of the others? :lol: :D ;)

[Old Witch]

As for no. 5, "Who Wants to Live Forever?"........I learned something from "Highlander" . And toss that bottle into the Mariannas Trench!!!!!!!!!

[Pan]

Out of all of those.. immortality would offer the least pain. Of course, reaching Zen and then having everyone hate you only lasts a lifetime.. think about in the modern world..... trying to "die" and be "reborn"?

[Emerald Oak]

I'm stuck between 1 and 4... I already live both the "bad" states (they're connected--I have trouble loving anyone and I'm lonely). I guess I'd choose number 1 (although it doesn't make much sense, now that I think about it).

[Azure]

The key to such things in the fairy tales is that when the awful happens as a result, you are supposed to learn and grow from it - and as a result change the ultimate fate. . .

Sorry, I believe in free will, not determinism.

[Old Witch]

So you agree, there's always another alternative.......i.e. toss the genie in the drink..............;)

[Sita]

Imortality?!

[Flaire-FireStar]

Just to be different.....Power/Lonliness :devil:

[Sora]

I've made an oath never to make a wish... You never know who may be listening and what could happen to a wish out of control.

[Azure]

Yes, Old Witch - I think it always possible to throw the genie into the ocean.

[Caelin]

Its a pity the genie didn't just ask you to make three wishes, as per tradition, because then one of your wishes could be that nothing unpleasant would ever come of the other wishes...:)

I voted for immortality. Sounds more fun :D

[Sora]

Bah. Imortality would be bearable if the one you loved would be there with you throughout the ages. But, then again, love only lasts about eighty years and then you'd have an eternal pest at your side. I really wouldn't want imortality, there are too many lives left out there to live and I musn't be late for the next one.

[Sequoia]

if you think about it, we (well I *straightens tie and looks spiffy*) already have achieved immortality - if you belive in the cycles of death and rebirth, specifically past lives, then the soul is already immortal. It's just that for most people, the parts of your soul's life before this one aren't remembered. If you remember any of your past lives in any detail, you are still alive, aren't you? Hence, immortal. (you just get jostled around and confused every 80 years or so, depending on time and culture *wink*)

so. . . :D I'll take the one I've already got. I couldn't stand living without love, being hated, having ultimate power. . . and who's idea of a perfect life is that? LOL Without a little struggle, a little strife, you don't appreciate what you have nearly as much. Not much consolation when you're going through hell, but it's true.

[Djiril]

What does "Ultimate Zen mean?:huh:

[Azure]

Okay, here's a speculation on the living without love - that wish interferes with not only your life, but with the options of others. . . the genie took away their right to love you? I don't think so.

Each of those options is sort of predicated on interfering with what others choose, and so I don't think it can really work. When the magic alters the ability of many many people to make choices in theri lives - whether to like someone, for example, then IMO it also throws a wrench into the works that sets it up to fail. Someone somewhere is going to break the spirit, if not the law, of the wish.

It's like the original curse on Sleeping Beauty - the bad fairy cursed her with death, but the good fairies managed to change that, perhaps because her death limited the futures of so many others. . .

Repercussions on other people matter.

"Ultimate Zen" implies you won't much care what others think of you, and in theory, you should radiate enough calm that "hatred" is not a rational response - someone, somewhere is going to realize that, and *poof*

The perfect life and then an awful last ten years. . . well, the argument in many philosophies is that poverty, pain, and such teach you different lessons, and it's how you face them that matters. If you're whole last years are spent grieving for the past, then they will suck - but if your attitude changes and you look for what the suffering gives you, it might be that you end up happy after all - just without all the material wealth.

And so on.

[Wyrdsister]

I'd have to wish for Immortality. With the options you've given, it sounds like it would be the less painful option for others.

Where did your question come from?

Wyrdsister

[Phoenix Blue]

I vote (3), thinking that it was an "I knew I was going to wish for something, but I forgot what" option.

I already have everything I could wish for--sans a one-way trip to my Love in Colorado, which will come in the fullness of time. I'd tell the genie where to stick his lamp.

[Ravens_Tears]

I voted 1. My children are the most important people in my life, what would keep them safe and happy is a small price to pay

[Emerald Oak]

Not exactly the answers I was expecting, but everyone certainly quenched my curiosity thirst :) I have individual responses for most of you:


Azure: Dear Goddess, you are WISE. Ever think about teaching courses in philosphy? I definately learned a few things tonight.

OW: Hey now, it's a genie ;) Good luck "tossing him in the drink."

Sora: LOL, not making a wish would be a good lesson for this evil evil genie. He can't return to his cozy lamp unless you make a wish 8O

Puma Hime: I like the way you think ;) Any of these wishes could prolly be dodged in the same way.

Djiril: Monks try to achieve "ultimate zen," I think. They try to perfect their lives and aouls, IE.

Wyrdsisiter: The question just sort of popped into my head. I'm weird like that.

Phoenix: LOL, that's why I put "Read the thread first" on the poll, so no one would make a mistake like that :D

[Azure]

*blushes*
Thanks. I usually feel like a kid who's just learning everything - but I'm happy to share.

[Sora]

Woo. What happens if a genie's lamp is shattered or... sat on before he can return?

[Psyche Ague]

I am Buddhist, so I guess the correct response for me would be total enlightenment. But I don't feel that way. I define my life in love and having everyone hate me would destroy that.

Also going against my Buddhist AND Pagan beliefs, I chose immortality. Obviously there are pros and cons and pain and relief and everything associated (as well as never finding out what happens next) with this choice, but I could never live without love.

[PrincessHLHofMW]

i chose ultimate zen....people might hayte me but i wouldnt care would i

[flar7]

there wasnt anything there that I wanted.....:(

[Emerald Oak]

Ha! I made a girl (woman) blush! Watch and learn... From one of the only guys on the board without a significant other :eek:

Think I'll go to Dickson Street tonight...

[Flaire-FireStar]

Wow...I'm still the only power/lonliness here... :p



More power & lonliness to me!!!!!!!

[shnen]

id have to say immortality, even tho it would be hard, I could still love and care about others and get it in return...

not just that, but if you cant die, think of all the cool sh*& you can do and not be scared of dying!

[Altheia]

i would want to live forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Radocs]

None of the above.

[Emerald Oak]

Whoo! This thread's getting kinda popular. It's running on... What, three days now? I feel loved :heartthro

[Armitage]

4 probably. Being lonely isn't too different from my usual state. Immortality scares me, I not only don't want to watch friends and family die, but also don't want to decide at some point that I'm ready to go and then not be able to do it.

[Emerald Oak]

Wow, there are a lot of lonely people here x.@ Kind of ironic when you think of it. We should all get together and not be lonely anymore.

Mmyep.

[Flaire-FireStar]

But...I like being lonly..most of the time. ;)

[Azure]

My kitty, who is feeling neglected this week, would like to point out that he is lonely too. But he believes he has already achieved total world domination.

[phoenixsong]

I don't like this genie. *narrows eyes*. Well, if I have to choose and can't just cork up Mr - or Miss or Mrs - evil genie back in their bottle, I guess it would be the power/loneliness one - much like the present, but with added power.

[Flar's Freyja]

I've already learned to be careful what I wish for :)

[Tiana_Ecarias]

I picked save the lives of the ones I care about. Why? The people I love mean more then anything, and losing the ability to love is a small price to pay to have them stay safe.

Besides, it never says that they can not love you, it's just that they're love will never be returned, and love is a funny thing. It can't be controled by magic in the normal ways that other emotions can be.

At times, and those of us who are madly in love with some one can understand this, thaty it has a power and magic of it's own. So, perhaps, eventually the genie's spell of making you unable to love anyone.

Anyways, immortality is already there for me, I remember most of my past lives, well, all of them, just some of the details are fuzzy, it happens over time... *grin*

Anyways, power over everyone is something that would never give me what I want, so that would be pointless, and the perfect life would be interesting, and if the last 10 years were crap, it wouldn't matter. AS the phrase goes, "I've lieved a good life, I can't ask for more," and remember the good times, and look for a few in the same pickle as me.

JJust my rambling thoughts

Tiana_Ecarias