Death Note - how would you use it?

[TheGoodLocust]

I think Light's approach of killing criminals to create his "perfect world" required too much work, had too much room for error, and wouldn't fundamentally change society too much.

The better way to go about it would be to focus the power of the death note on the leaders of society - politicians, union bosses, corporate/religious leadership, etc.

Face it, a lot of these positions attract scumbags because they want power and wealth - and they will step on anyone to get it. If these sociopaths know they will be killed for misbehavior then they will either find a less public way of conning people or they will do a good job.

Also, since the death note would be able to control a person's behavior prior to death it could be used to influence legislation and other important decisions which could theoretically save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives by averting war, famine and disease.

[Kisai]

I would not use it. It is an evil thing, and shall only beget evil.

[TheGoodLocust]

Oh, you're no fun!

Besides, I think if you whacked all the dicks at the top then we'd be left with good leaders - and they'd set a good example for everyone else. Humans would improve.

[Shauru]

Haha. Even before I read you post it seems I'm with you. Forget the criminals I see some politicians business leaders and some other public/religious figures going down in my NWO.

[Priori]

If these sociopaths know they will be killed for misbehavior then they will either find a less public way of conning people or they will do a good job.

You justify sociopathic behavior over sociopaths... After just saying how it


wouldn't fundamentally change society too much.

Though

Also, since the death note would be able to control a person's behavior prior to death it could be used to influence...
could be exploited most enjoyably. :) And just for fun with this 'evil thing', make the deal and just exploit people about to die anyways.

[Kisai]

Besides, I think if you whacked all the dicks at the top then we'd be left with good leaders - and they'd set a good example for everyone else. Humans would improve.

If the 'good leaders' underneath can't deal with the 'dicks on top', then they don't deserve to rule. If humanity chooses corrupt government, then they deserve their fate. If good people do nothing to avert this crisis, then they deserve their fate as well.

[OneHertz]

make millions on assassinations

[plotthickens]

So the Death Note kills bad leaders, and can 'control a person's behavior prior to death'?

Who watches the watchmen?

[TheGoodLocust]

If the 'good leaders' underneath can't deal with the 'dicks on top', then they don't deserve to rule. If humanity choses corrupt government, then they deserve their fate. If good people do nothing to avert this crisis, then they deserve their fate as well.

I believe it was either Lao Tzu or Chuang Tzu who said that those who are most fit to rule are the least likely to seek it.

I think the opposite of that sentiment may hold even more truth.

[MrDoom]

I think Light's approach of killing criminals to create his "perfect world" required too much work, had too much room for error, and wouldn't fundamentally change society too much.

The better way to go about it would be to focus the power of the death note on the leaders of society - politicians, union bosses, corporate/religious leadership, etc.

Face it, a lot of these positions attract scumbags because they want power and wealth - and they will step on anyone to get it. If these sociopaths know they will be killed for misbehavior then they will either find a less public way of conning people or they will do a good job.

Also, since the death note would be able to control a person's behavior prior to death it could be used to influence legislation and other important decisions which could theoretically save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives by averting war, famine and disease.

Your thinking is much the same as mine -- I had thought that Light's vanity got in the way of his goals -- he wanted everyone to know he existed. I on the other hand would have manipulated corrupt (and hence easily-swayed) politicians to do my bidding. No one else would have to know about me.

[plotthickens]

I believe it was either Lao Tzu or Chuang Tzu who said that those who are most fit to rule are the least likely to seek it.

I think the opposite of that sentiment may hold even more truth.

Doesn't answer the question. What are you proposing, a democracy where the loser dies or is controlled like a slave by the current opinion? A monarchy where the monarch is controlled from behind the scenes? By whom?

[TheGoodLocust]

Doesn't answer the question. What are you proposing, a democracy where the loser dies or is controlled like a slave by the current opinion? A monarchy where the monarch is controlled from behind the scenes? By whom?

The second option of course and I'd obviously be the monarch :). I could easily fix a lot of the problems in the world - none of the selfish assholes in charge have the ethics or intelligence to make the correct decisions.

[plotthickens]

The second option of course and I'd obviously be the monarch :). I could easily fix a lot of the problems in the world - none of the selfish assholes in charge have the ethics or intelligence to make the correct decisions.

So by definition you'd be OK being under control of The Death Note as well?

[TheGoodLocust]

So by definition you'd be OK being under control of The Death Note as well?

Only if done by a superior individual who was acting for the greater good - this seems unlikely though.

[plotthickens]

Only if done by a superior individual who was acting for the greater good - this seems unlikely though.

Ah, a godlike figure? Good answer, but not practical.

[Sora Yukizaku]

I don't care about the greater good, I'd use it to rule the world from the shadows. ^_^

[TheGoodLocust]

Ah, a godlike figure? Good answer, but not practical.

Well, the topic is completely fictional. I accept that if I were to misuse the death note that someone should correct my behavior, but it would be unlikely for me to behave in that manner and even less likely that someone could properly judge my actions and carry sentence.

[Solaris]

I wouldn't. We, as humans, are not truly objective enough (I don't care how NT you are) to be truly just. I think those that would use it are just feeding their own arrogance and egomania, just like Light did.

[Thrifty]

I would throw it away. Burn it... destroy it some irretrievable manner. Or... I would try to change the world with it. Would depend on my mood at the moment. I have feeling that that wouldn't turn out right though (it wouldn't be very original..).

[HereticForLife]

Honestly, I would probably use it to achieve my own, personal desires. Though I can't think of any that would be achieved in any way by killing a person, I'd expect myself to become a lot more creative with it once I had the power in my hands. I couldn't care less about the public good, and I don't think my interests even come close to representing those of the vast majority of people. Therefore, I definitely wouldn't try to make the world a better place - I'm definitely not, as Solaris stated, objective enough to make changes that would affect all of humanity positively.

[Kisai]

Now I didn't say I'd destroy my copy. It might come in very useful once or twice[1]. Of course it would creep people out when I start grinning like a madman when they annoy me and I ask them for their names.

Ehh.. maybe I should destroy it.. Eh... maybe not.

[1] Fully researched rich guy who made money at the sufferering of others secretly puts anonymously traced bankroll into safe deposit box, mails the key to my PO box, then forgets the whole thing and disposes all evidence, dying in a ironic manner and the hands of those he's wronged.

[Stratego]

Your thinking is much the same as mine -- I had thought that Light's vanity got in the way of his goals -- he wanted everyone to know he existed. I on the other hand would have manipulated corrupt (and hence easily-swayed) politicians to do my bidding. No one else would have to know about me.

Agree. His vanity got in the way, as you said.

If it were mine to control, I wouldn't have left such a wide swath of deaths in my wake or such obvious clues about my methods, location or motives (all the people he killed died the same way, heart attack, suprisingly stupid for a supposed genius).

I would study the individuals I had targeted for elimination and consider every aspect of their lives, particularly their connections. I would plot out multiple scenarios of what would happen once they were dead, carefully predict(if possible) all the what ifs or probable consequences--what might backfire...

It would take careful planning, in other words, and not whim. (I would also test its capabilities, as Light did, trying out different kill instructions to tests it's limitations or assets.)

My aim would be to get rid of the trash, if possible. If it proved ineffective or to problematic than I would abandon it.

[Onigumo13]

Heck I would start writing names of all people that I hate in alphabetical order naturally.
By the way can any one tell me is Dad is a name two or its a international person across the hole globe . I really don't wanna be blamed if someones Dad dies . If that happens please don't hold a grudge on me please please please :)

[zibber]

Face it, a lot of these positions attract scumbags because they want power and wealth - and they will step on anyone to get it. If these sociopaths know they will be killed for misbehavior then they will either find a less public way of conning people or they will do a good job.

Simply killing every megalomaniac will not bring a structural end to the issue. It's much better to introduce systemic changes, such as intensified democracy and less actual power for individuals.

[TheGoodLocust]

Simply killing every megalomaniac will not bring a structural end to the issue.

I disagree. It'll limit the damage they do and eventually those cowards, and they are cowards, will stop running for office or grabbing power.

It's much better to introduce systemic changes, such as intensified democracy and less actual power for individuals.

Intensified democracy? I don't think most people have the intellectual capacity to vote properly, which is why they are so easy to manipulate and tend to elect conmen.

I believe my method would work over time. The only dangerous people who'd still attempt to run for office would be the idealists. I'm not saying all idealists are dangerous, but they have a much better chance of being fanatical and will govern based on their ideology rather than on evidence/outcome.

[Lord Shadowbane]

Here's the rules:
1. The human whose name is written in the note shall die.

2. The note will not take effect unless the writer has the person's face in their mind when writing his/her name. Therefore, people sharing the same name will not be affected.

3. If the cause of death is written within 40 seconds of writing the person's name, it will happen.

4. If the cause of death is not specified, the person will simply die of a heart attack.

5. After writing the cause of death, details of the death should be written in the next 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

8. The human who uses this note can neither go to Heaven nor Hell.

9. If the time of death is written within 40 seconds after writing the cause of death as a heart attack, the time of death can be manipulated, and the time can go into effect within 40 seconds after writing the name.

16. A person can shorten his or her own life by using the note.

17. The human who becomes the owner of the Death Note can, in exchange of half of his/her remaining life, receive the ability to see a human's name and remaining lifetime when looking at them or at least half of their face.

19. The conditions for death will not be realized unless it is physically possible for that human or it is reasonably assumed to be carried out by that human.

21. One page taken from the Death Note, or even a fragment of the page, contains the full effects of the note.

22. The instrument to write with can be anything, ( e.g. cosmetics, blood, etc.) as long as it can write directly onto the note and remains as legible letters.

24. You may also write the cause and/or details of death prior to filling in the name of the individuals. Be sure to insert the name in front of the written cause of death. You have about 19 days (according to the human calender) in order to fill in a name.

25. Even if you do not actually possess the Death Note, the effect will be the same if you can recognize the person and his/her name to place in the blank.

26. The Death Note will not affect those under 780 days old.

27. The Death Note will be rendered useless if the victim's name is misspelled four times.

28. "Suicide" is a valid cause of death. Basically, all humans are thought to possess the possibility to commit suicide, it is, therefore, not something "unbelievable to think of".

29. Whether the cause of the individual's death is either a suicide or accident, if the death leads to the death of more than the intended, the person will simply die of a heart attack. This is to ensure that other lives are not influenced.

The part about not being able to go to heaven is bad. But... I wouldn't have to worry about hell...

[Grimstad]

Wow. Didn’t know about #8. Don’t know if that’s a deal breaker or not. I also don’t see The 13 day rule. Didn’t see all the episodes but did see some indication that it was bogus

Other than that, I’d have to say it’s tempting. I can easily think of ways to make material gains from the note and though there are a few people I wouldn’t mind seeing dead, I’m not sure I want to be responsible. As for making the world a better place? It’s hard to say what is right or wrong. And once it has started where do you stop? Assuming you can. I have pondered the question myself while watching the show.


Just noticed this got bumped from Philosophy and ethics to the entertainment section. I understand why but I still think this thread has more to do with Philosophy and ethics. Oh well.

[True Rune]

I myself wouldn't find a power like that useful. I'm not bloodthirsty nor delusional. Getting rid of top dogs would not change the world for the better, more greedy fools would come to take their place in due time. Kira did change the world though. Power corrupted him and he became a face of evil. None of us would be spared.

[freeeekyyy]

You think you're qualified to determine who should suffer the death note?

[Kisai]

The part about not being able to go to heaven is bad. But... I wouldn't have to worry about hell...

In the manga, there's a flashback to when Ryuk tells Light "The user of the Death Note will not go to Heaven or Hell (way back in the first or second chapter) Light's reply is "I know what that means. It just means there isn't any Heaven or Hell." to which Ryuk reacts by thinking how smart Light is to have intuited that.

[Zombicide]

I don't want to kill the people who I personally want to hurt, I want to hurt them, and since the death note isn't able to kill categories of people i.e. I would not be able to kill off the problem, I would likely not end up finding much use for the death note or at least I can't think of any uses for the time being, though I'm certain I would inevitably find some use for it but not any predetermined use ... except select propagandists i.e. ones whose propaganda threatens to hurt any of the few good people of the world or stupid celebs who have the same effect or ones I both dislike and don't want to star in e.g. movie. Also, come to think of it, I suppose I could use the death note give the people I hate AIDS and give them cancer of the dick as their cause of death.

---------- Post added 02-10-2010 at 05:25 PM ----------

Also, like you said about politicians. I would probably kill off big government politicians before they get to cause more trouble e.g. "Since the state education camps are failing, I have decided that we are all gonna throw more munnies at it" that politician would be euthanize before they get to ruin more people's lives. Kill judges who sentence relatively innocent people sentences far worse than the so called "crime" the perpetrator committed. Yeah, I could find a lot of uses for it.

[Lord Shadowbane]

By the way, the 13th rule is indeed fake -it was added by Light.

[Gamgee]

I wouldn't use it. The problem with possessing a Death note is that your a human and not omniscient.

I would seek to destroy such a foolish creation.

[Antares]

Flush it down a toilet. Destroy it. Burn it. Use it to make my campfire. No one should wield that much power; it corrupts after all.

[Daimai]

Earn money, take over the world.

[ArtistTyrant]

0_o i'd kick ass with a Death Note =)

wouldn't have to worry about "heaven" or "hell", even assuming they're real, if i just stay alive forever because of transhumanism...

and no i'm not saying what i would do, because it's what i'm going to do regardless ^_^

[Grimstad]

Heres an interesting twist on the Death Note. So and so dies of a heart attack after he gives you a formula for eternal life or the cure for cancer. Not the best wording and the so and so would probably have to be some kind of scientist, but you get my drift. Under the right conditions it could almost be a wish book. The only limitation I saw was if the stated cause of death caused other deaths.

BTW, Light was a little twisted from the beginning. The note just made him worse.

[Geminii]

Entry:

"Everyone currently in positions of overt or secret power over at least one million people, will die peacefully in their sleep at age 100, after devoting their entire life from today onwards to the increase of peace, tolerance, intelligence, education, scientific progress, logic, rationality, and goodwill amongst the people they influence."

(Yeah, I know, you have to have their actual names. Bummer.)

[Grimstad]

And theres a flag on the field

[ArtistTyrant]

10 yard penalty?

[Zsych]

Well I certainly wouldn't destroy it. A tool is a tool, and that's a potentially useful one.

As for whether I trust myself to use it correctly and be able to judge when it should be used... yeah sure :)

I see it more as a tool for control rather than killing though.
"Person will obey my every command for the next 90 years, before dying of xxx"

Some politicians would be about to suffer considerable misfortune at my hands, if I had that :P
... Petty criminals... I would have very little interest in.

[baal]

Find a way to get it to grant me immortality. Then have a person who I have wrapped around my thumb to kill of select groups that are in conflict with my interests.

[Zsych]

Death note doesn't really support extending life much, or doing things that can't be done... still, I suppose you could try writing down 'Will die in 5 Million Years, after having lived a long and fulfilling life"... but if it bugs out, that might not work and you'd have no way of knowing if you had unwanted side-effects.

Might be convenient to have leaders support cloning more so you can have spare parts for your body developed. Replace out most of your body and you may be able to live a while longer than otherwise... how long your brain will last and be effective being a separate question.

[Kisai]

Death note doesn't really support extending life much, or doing things that can't be done... still, I suppose you could try writing down 'Will die in 5 Million Years, after having lived a long and fulfilling life"... but if it bugs out, that might not work and you'd have no way of knowing if you had unwanted side-effects.

IIRC, an impossible situation results in the written name's person to just die of a heart attack[1]...

Oh wait... wasn't there a rule that ruins the writer's life if he uses it to extend life?[2] Or was that just shinigami? That's how Rem died[3].

[1] And then Billy Joel sings 'You oughta know by now..."

How to Use the Death Note LV:"
"In occasions where the cause and situation of death is written before the victim’s name, multiple names can be written as long as they are written within 40 seconds and the causes and situations of death are not impossible to occur.
In the occasion where the cause of death is possible but the situation is not, only the cause of death will take effect for that victim. If both the cause and the situation are impossible, that victim will die of heart attack. "


[2] Death Note: How to Use V : "A god of death can extend the humans life by putting a name on their own note, but humans cannot."

[3] XVII: "If the God of Death decides to use the Death Note to kill the assassin of an individual he favors, the individuals life will be extended, but the God of death will die. "

[Effay]

I'd like to think I'd be able to use it for good, but doesn't everyone? No one really thinks that they can be corrupted, and everyone always acts in what they believe to be the best course of action.

[ya lyublyu tebya]

Well, because of the whole "can't go to Heaven" thing, I wouldn't use it, but if not for that, I'd use it to whack Osama bin Laden and Shoukou Asahara, then destroy it! ;D