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Would you want to know *the future* if you could?


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View Poll Results: Select as many options as apply.
I would like to know the future. 22 42.31%
I would prefer *not* to know the future. 27 51.92%
I believe that some people can *see* the future. 5 9.62%
I 'might' go to a palm reader for the fun of it, but I wouldn't believe any of it. 8 15.38%
I have already had my palm (or tarot cards) read, and some of it came true. 4 7.69%
I think palm and tarot card readers are scam artists. 31 59.62%
I think some people can contact those who have 'passed'. 5 9.62%
I believe that psychics have helped police solve crimes. 4 7.69%
I don't believe in *any* of this ESP hogwash. 27 51.92%
I might try to contact a loved one who has passed. 1 1.92%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 52. You may not vote on this poll

Would you want to know *the future* if you could?
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Windswept
On Pacific time
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Moderator's Pub
 
2006-05-13, 12:55

We all have a future.

But none of us knows what it is.

Just think how differently we might conduct our lives if we knew what was going to happen to us.

But then, of course, our futures would be altered, wouldn't they, by virtue of our knowing about them and changing our ways?

Anyway, what I really wanted to know was: if you *could* know your future, would you 'want' to?

Or would you rather *not* know?

A silly topic, I realize, but what the heck.

Thanks for any replies.

Oh, and I'm doing a poll. Please give me ten minutes to dream up some weird questions before asking: "Where's the poll?"
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drewprops
Space Pirate
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
 
2006-05-13, 12:57

I knew you were going to forget the poll.
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709
¡Damned!
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Purgatory
 
2006-05-13, 13:01

Quote:
Originally Posted by Windswept
But then, of course, our futures would be altered, wouldn't they, by virtue of our knowing about them and changing our ways?
Exactly. I'd like it, if for nothing else than to know what chicks I should be focusing on at the bar.
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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
 
2006-05-13, 13:02

I used to think I would. But as I get older, I don't even like knowing what's going to happen later in the afternoon.

So no, I would not want to know "the future". I'm afraid of what I might see or learn...

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Windswept
On Pacific time
 
Join Date: May 2004
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2006-05-13, 13:14

Quote:
Originally Posted by drewprops
I knew you were going to forget the poll.
Ahhh, how I love basking in the confidence that I inspire in others.



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Wrao
Yarp
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Road Warrior
 
2006-05-13, 13:15

I don't really believe in 'the future' that's too broad and misleading. I think that some people can accurately predict other people's actions, but not on a predetermined timescale, or within a margin of error on the timescale. I think ESP and all that other hogwash is hooey. Lastly, if I did know what was going to happen to someone tomorrow and the likes, it'd just be silly.
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Majost
monkey with a tiny cymbal
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lost
 
2006-05-13, 13:21

I certainly wouldn't want to know the *whole* of my future... that'd just make things boring or depressing, depending what it holds.

That said, it might be nice to get a basic qualitative read on the future. Just a basic "good" and "bad" could help anticipate problems in the future. "Oh shit, my wife will leave me in three years... we oughta get started on counseling," or "Oh, no I get cancer in two years... better check on it often so I catch it right away" kind of thing.

Of course, even that kinda seems like cheating. It'd be fun at first, but I imagine that it would take away all the thrill of just living.

And, if I had the ability, of course, I'd have to be the *only* one in the world who could do it. Even just having one other person able to read the future could change my own reads on the future. For example, I check the future and modify my plans, and then the other person checks her future and changes things to be the best for her... in turn changing my future. So, it really wouldn't work very well.

So, I guess my answer is no... although I didn't put yes or no on the poll... I just voted for the "hogwash" answers.

Edit: Reading Wrao's post made me remember a (CBS?) TV show about a guy that got the newspaper a day early. So, he felt obligated to go out and save everyone that died during the day. Knowing that I could have saved someone and didn't would really weigh heavy on my conscious. That would suck. As did the TV show.

Last edited by Majost : 2006-05-13 at 13:27.
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Windswept
On Pacific time
 
Join Date: May 2004
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2006-05-13, 13:25

Quote:
Originally Posted by pscates2.0
I used to think I would. But as I get older, I don't even like knowing what's going to happen later in the afternoon.
Oh, Paul, you're such a classic. I hope you never change. You're absolutely perfect just the way you are.

Quote:
So no, I would not want to know "the future". I'm afraid of what I might see or learn...

Yeah, it's kind weird, isn't it? I used to think I'd want to know the future. But I've pretty much gone off the idea.

I think I *am* slightly psychic though.

I mean, I can look in someone's eyes and just *know* a LOT about them. I always thought everyone could do this; but I have been assured by people who seem to know about such things that that is 'not' the case. *shrug*
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blakbyrd
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2006-05-13, 13:25

I wouldn't want to know the future, because I'd probably spend my life trying to prevent certain things from happening.
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Windswept
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2006-05-13, 13:32

Quote:
Originally Posted by blakbyrd
I wouldn't want to know the future, because I'd probably spend my life trying to prevent certain things from happening.
Well, yeah.
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709
¡Damned!
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Purgatory
 
2006-05-13, 13:34

But you'd already know that you were going to spend your life trying to prevent certain things from happening.
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Windswept
On Pacific time
 
Join Date: May 2004
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2006-05-13, 13:40

Quote:
Originally Posted by 709
But you'd already know that you were going to spend your life trying to prevent certain things from happening.


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blakbyrd
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2006-05-13, 13:53

Quote:
Originally Posted by 709
But you'd already know that you were going to spend your life trying to prevent certain things from happening.
*Head explodes*
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Wickers
is not a kind of basket
 
Join Date: May 2004
 
2006-05-13, 14:25

I would rather be able to change the past then know the future.
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curiousuburb
Antimatter Man
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: that interweb thing
 
2006-05-13, 15:00

Tomorrow's Lotto numbers might be handy today.
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Banana
is the next Chiquita
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
 
2006-05-13, 15:36

Quote:
Originally Posted by curiousuburb
Tomorrow's Lotto numbers might be handy today.
Did you know that there was a study that showed again and again, lottery winners would quickly return to their financial conditions prior to winning the lottery; and they'd have wasted their fortunes in months?
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drewprops
Space Pirate
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
 
2006-05-13, 15:39

Well I'll tell you that there's going to be a 2 and a 4 in there. Possibly a 5, though a 7 is more likely. A lot of people say to use a 0 though it wouldn't be unheard of for there to be a 9 or a 1 in there. I'd personally recommend using a 3, an 8 or a 6.... but that's just me. Remember to cut me in.

Steve Jobs ate my cat's watermelon.
Captain Drew on Twitter
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Banana
is the next Chiquita
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
 
2006-05-13, 15:40

Drew has demostrated exactly why if you wish to gamble, you should instead buy a casino.

When was last time you saw a casino going out of business?
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colivigan
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
 
2006-05-13, 16:13

Quote:
Originally Posted by curiousuburb
Tomorrow's Lotto numbers might be handy today.
Makes me think of an old I Dream of Jeannie episode where Jeannie accidentally blinked up the next day's newspaper. Major Healy, discovering the mistake, ran off to the racetrack, oblivious to the front page story - "Astronaut Breaks Leg in Accident".
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Moogs
Hates the Infotainment
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: NSA Archives
 
2006-05-13, 16:15

Knowing the future would be useful for avoidance / survival purposes (stocking up before an epidemic or disaster, etc). It wouldn't be of much use for the active-minded (trying to fix things so it doesn't happen). No one would cooperate with you and no one can make big changes by themselves, etc.

...into the light of a dark black night.
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AWR
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: State of Flux
 
2006-05-13, 16:19

Carpe Diem!!

No need or want to know the future. We're all going to die, and that's enough bad news for me.

ESP is just the start of ESPN, nothing more.
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Foj
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Location: Atlanta
 
2006-05-13, 16:50

I wish I had known the future when picking teams for the hockey play-offs.
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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
 
2006-05-13, 17:11

Quote:
Originally Posted by Banana
Did you know that there was a study that showed again and again, lottery winners would quickly return to their financial conditions prior to winning the lottery; and they'd have wasted their fortunes in months?
Probably because they're numbnuts to begin with? The kind of idiots who would - just because they now could - go buy six Hummers, three Ferraris, a helicopter they can't fly, two yachts, designer clothes, a mansion, another mansion on the coast, more trinkets and gadgets, etc. all in an attempt to "live the life".



My life wouldn't change, other than I'd have a couple of nice guitars I've always wanted (less than $3,000 total). And I'd get a 20" iMac Core Duo and a 17" MacBook Pro, sure. Why not? My only true "luxury" would be to travel a lot, all the places I've wanted to see. But I'd still shop at Target, still drive a Saturn (but I'd buy the Sky model), still live the modest, laidback life I've made for myself, etc.

If I win the lottery, I'd do it right...I have no doubt. I've got no dreams/fantasies of big houses, pricey cars and clothes, etc. I'd just travel my butt off, and see the world. And have a nice, cozy place to come back to. But nothing more than I truly needed.

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Banana
is the next Chiquita
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
 
2006-05-13, 17:23

Quote:
Originally Posted by pscates2.0
Probably because they're numbnuts to begin with? The kind of idiots who would - just because they now could - go buy six Hummers, three Ferraris, a helicopter they can't fly, two yachts, designer clothes, a mansion, another mansion on the coast, more trinkets and gadgets, etc. all in an attempt to "live the life".

Too bad the study didn't elaborate on how money was wasted; I simply had assumed they spent it unwisely by 1) buying more consumable goods, 2) buying stuff that are actually liabilities, 3) not bothering to consult with IRS about capital gains or whatever it is they tax lottery winners with. Your assessment of what they did with money is probably accurate.

Not many people probably realize that there are some mansions where because the rich bastards insisted it be at *this* location, the tax is ridiculously high- I've seen one that would tax more than 45K a year whereas a smaller house with even bigger acreage would only be taxed 6K at most.
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Fooboy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
 
2006-05-13, 17:27

I've seen the future, in fact - I even know where this thread is going. But if I tell you, it will alter the future. So, I've learned to keep my mouth shut.
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thegelding
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2006-05-13, 17:45

fuck yeah i would like to know the future....

you forgot that option



knowing the future would be one of the powers i would love
along with being able to speak all languages, including animals
and the power of flight
and the power of invisibility

thats about it


oh, and to breath underwater

g

crazy is not a rare human condition

everything is food if you chew hard enough
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thegelding
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2006-05-13, 17:47

that way i would know when jessica alba was skinny dipping by seeing into the future

then i could fly there ahead of time

then i could swim invisibly around her without coming up for air or being noticed

and then go tell the dolphins all about it

g

crazy is not a rare human condition

everything is food if you chew hard enough
  quote
billybobsky
BANNED
I am worthless beyond hope.
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Inner Swabia. If you have to ask twice, don't.
 
2006-05-13, 21:08

sweet...
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murbot
Hoonigan
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Canada
 
2006-05-13, 22:19

Macgeek is masturbating right now reading this thread.

And spreading feces all over his keyboard when he realizes he can't post.
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drewprops
Space Pirate
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Atlanta
 
2006-05-13, 23:48

see, see, I knew that Mur would use the word "keyboard" in that post... took all the anticipation out of it for me. I also knew that the next post would use the word "fra-diddly".

Steve Jobs ate my cat's watermelon.
Captain Drew on Twitter
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