Would life be much easier if we could read minds?

[justmeiguess]

When I'm talking to people I'm constantly trying to work out what they're thinking. "What did they mean when they said that, was there a subtext or am I just over-analysing?"; "What does that expression mean?" etc.

This is probably partly down to my own paranoia but also I guess due to the whole intuitive thing, where I want to work out what is going on so I can work out what to do next. The only problem being, not being a mind-reader I have no evidence on which to base my intuitions on.

I can certainly see the downside to us all being telepathic. Number one being of course that I don't want everyone else knowing what I'm thinking. ;)

So, theoretically (or is that philosophically) speaking, would life be much easier if we were all mind-readers?

[Solaris]

Hahaha! I saw this after I posted in Deicruxified's "corrupt a wish" thread. I wished to be able to read minds.

I share your thoughts on the topic. I sometimes become very annoyed with this tendency within myself, but I can't stop it from being. I am always trying to guess what is underneath what people say and do.

[OmegaPsi]

I would absolutely LOVE to be able to read minds..now would this also include mind delving? Such as going further than what they are thinking at that momment. Their thoughts, feelings, ambitions, and their fears..and to be able to use them for your own goals. Even to delve into their memories. It would almost be as good as voluntary invisibility.

[Santana28]

i CAN read minds...what makes you think that i couldn't? ;)

no, seriously... my intuition is so strong that i often know exactly what people are thinking or feeling at any given time, without them having to say a thing. of course, that only makes it harder for me to try avoiding sounding like i'm a know-it-all.

[chocky]

I think life could become so much more mindful if we were all telepathic, in every sense.:laugh:

[coffeeloverfreak]

No, I think it would be much tougher. The fact that we have a filter between our minds and our voices is what keeps us civilized. People with "no filter" are usually very, very difficult to be around. Now imagine if everyone was like that, all the time. Argh!

[pavman]

If Hollywood has taught us anything, this is a subject we should not delve too deeply into attempting.

That and the whole don't squish the bug time-travel thing.

[Zilal]

I think it'd be awesome. Just think of how many conflicts are due to misunderstandings... this includes wars... or from, I dunno, just not being able to see the other side as human.

[b1233456789]

I can usually predict what most people will do depending on how well I know them. You could say I can already predict the future. Haha

First Post

[ssfanatic]

This is interesting good topic.

My friends actually say that i am physic bec i can usually tell whats going to happen from what people are thinking. Of coarse it is all based on probability, but is that not a form of mind reading?
I really wouldnt like to actually be able to read minds, im fine just the way i am, if i could read minds i would find out things i really dont want to know.

[OmegaPsi]

This is interesting good topic.

My friends actually say that i am physic bec i can usually tell whats going to happen from what people are thinking. Of coarse it is all based on probability, but is that not a form of mind reading?
I really wouldnt like to actually be able to read minds, im fine just the way i am, if i could read minds i would find out things i really dont want to know.

Why not know? It may not be pleasant or nice, but it gives light to a dark tunnel, it allows you to walk through that tunnel without hitting walls or tripping over some rock on the ground and falling on your face. Nope it allows you to walk through the tunnel without hesisitation or fear or ....discertainty. [SP please =)]

[chocky]

People with "no filter" are usually very, very difficult to be around. Now imagine if everyone was like that, all the time. Argh!

exactly!

But that universal level of psychic discomfort would require that we all become much more mindful of our thoughts, and much more respectful of one another. It could be the pain stimulus that leads us to change!

I think it could lead to a whole higher/deeper level of human development; acknowledgment of and reverence for our common humanity. Imagine more humane and pacific beings, aware of one another's mental states and limitations; aware of the inside human-ness of each other, and disciplined enough to actively create the transparent boundaries that permit another to exist with dignity. Sounds like my perfect world.

That is pre-supposing, I guess, that everyone else is as disinclined to exploit others as I believe myself to be. But I think even for the simplest of minds the mental ogling made possible by telepathy would soon grow boring or overwhelming, and the novelty would give way to constructing a ritual of mental respect. Is it too much to think we would learn to avert the mind's eye, so to speak, without losing sight of the value of reading minds?

Imagine if the power games weren't possible anymore because we were all transparent. We'd have to learn to respect ourselves and all humanity, or we'd go absolutely mad.

Sounds like great conditions for either the end of wars, or for the final annihilation of humanity. Either way things would be peaceful in the long run.

[Jgib5328]

You'd have no privacy. I figured as an INTJ you'd really hate that. A mind is a safe-haven for an INTJ and all introverts. They retreat there when they need to recharge or want to be alone. If we could all read each other's minds we would lose that.

[JTG]

Wow you guys are all assuming it would be a global ability. When i think of the psychic scenario, i'm the only one that can read minds. I already scare some people with my intuitive guesses at what they're thinking or planning.

If i could read minds, i think the hardest part would be resisting the temptation to use my powers for evil To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Bossy Mom]

Ooh, that's scarey. If people knew what I was really thinking, I would probably be at the least, friendless, and at the most, arrested.