Poll: Telepaths are Rapists

[Onyx Oblivion]

Only if mis-used...

I'm sorry. I'm a HUGE fan of psychic power. Who needs super strength, when you can levitate shit and read minds?

 

[Burningsok]

For everyone who thinks its mind reading, I think he/she means psychology. Knowing how a person acts and figuring out why he or she does what they do. Yeah it's kind of like mind reading, but it takes a while for things to connect and make sense, and they aren't always right.

Ok for the literal term of telepathy, yeah it is kind of raping the mind. But telepathy is not real, Some people are extremely good at figuring out who people are by looking at what they look like, how they sound, the way they act. Their brains think in a way that gives them the ability to put certain pieces together. (those pieces being mental and physical aspects of the person they are figuring out.) It's just how they think. Like how we problem solve in our heads; their way of figuring things out is different to ours, Everyone is in some way.

 

[Evilproduct]

Let me clarify that. Mind reading is a gross, depraved practice, regardless of the circumstances behind its use. It's my believe that a person's thoughts are their inner-most sanctum, the most private place anyone has, and a breaching that boundary is a violation of mind in the same way rape is a violation of body. I've heard quite a lot of opinions on this before, both with me and against. So does this make sense to you, or am I crazy?

EDIT: I mean, obviously, as a hypothetical concept. I don't think mind-reading is real

What depraved thoughts are you hiding in there that you felt the need to post something like this on the Escapist? Are you compensating for something?

 

[KillerH]

I wouldn't say that it's evil in it's nature. It's the difference between a serial killer, and a police officer who has been forced to kill during his career. It's all about the use.

 

[YawehG]

What depraved thoughts are you hiding in there that you felt the need to post something like this on the Escapist? Are you compensating for something?

I have masturbated to the most terrible things! I don't want people to see that!
But in all seriousness, the "if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear" argument is one that holds no weight with me. It's the same argument homeland security used to defend the patriot act and wire tapping. But I really don't want to get into that subject. It's a one-way street to thread derailment.

 

[KarumaK]

Well I should hope so, otherwise I've been doing it for no reason.

*Reads mind of captive*

See, she agrees it's a horrible act.

 

[Sporky111]

I think not, because I think of Charles Xavier when I think of mind-reading. And he's just awesome. I agree that the mind is a persons last privacy, but if it is consensual or if the knowledge gleaned was neither used against them or used to judge a person, I don't think it's that evil.

Besides, I already know what the real way to rape a mind is: Rule 34.

 

[YawehG]

If a man used it to stop a murderer is it still evil?

If you murder a murderer is it still murder?

If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is a around to read it's mind, then who died?

 

[Odd Water]

I'm going to hate myself for doing this...

before you answer ask yourself if you believe in a God, whatever religion, and weather hi is all knowing, there for knows your thoughts as well and can read them. Most religions think of God as a being of good, and nothing he does is or can be evil. So if you think this, mind reading can't be evil, as for God, in whatever form you understand him, can read your mind. If you don't think there's a creator then knock yourself out answer either way.

And also I say the question is lacking, a gun isn't evil, it all depends on how its used, so would be the mind reading power.

 

[hellswarmglow]

Aside from the obvious route taken by so many (it's not real, so not evil), you also have to consider the context. There are people who read emotions, to tell whether or not someone is lying about committing a crime. Not really akin to forcing yourself on someone. Flipping through every personal memory/thought you have ever had without permission is closer to reading someone's diary or doing a background check without permission. Invasion of privacy versus rape. Having said all that, it does suck to have one's thoughts invaded; have you tried the tinfoil hat? I heard that works. =)

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

I'd say that the proof of real mind reading would be one of the most important scientific and philosophical breakthroughs ever.

Mainly because the ability to read someones mind would inherently be to experience someone elses reality, and thus prove that reality itself isn't just something subjective that's only going on inside our own heads, but rather something objectively external that is perceived subjectively by each individual.

And by that merit I have a hard time finding mind reading to be an inherently evil and gross practice.

 

[Commissar Sae]

Honestly if someone wanted to get into my head they would be free to do so. Getting back out with their own sanity intact might be a problem though. Depends on how deep you go, surface thoughts usually seem to be fairly easy to read in the literature, to access deeper thoughts and memories it would be soemwhat akin to rape but would probably fuck you up just as much in the long run.

 

[BonsaiK]

Let me clarify that. Mind reading is a gross, depraved practice, regardless of the circumstances behind its use. It's my believe that a person's thoughts are their inner-most sanctum, the most private place anyone has, and a breaching that boundary is a violation of mind in the same way rape is a violation of body. I've heard quite a lot of opinions on this before, both with me and against. So does this make sense to you, or am I crazy?

EDIT: I mean, obviously, as a hypothetical concept. I don't think mind-reading is real

It's not a metaphorical "rape" if the other person actually wants it to happen. I personally wish that all other people could read my mind at all times. It sure would make communicating with people easier. I can never get through to some thick-eared dullards, how much easier would it be if they could just know what I'm thinking straight off the bat.

 

[FoolKiller]

No. Because mind reading isn't real.

Wow... it took all of one response to sum it up. Also, I do not think that mind-reading IF it were to exist, would be inherently evil. It could be used for good as well.