Yes, in fact i long for it sometimes.I think my brain requires a higher level of stimulation, which is why i find the world we live in to be pretty boring.Its pretty much why i play mmos and games in general.I wish i could afford to be a dare devil or thrill seeker/adventurer in this world,it'd be the only way i could truly enjoy it without gaming lol..
Originally posted by alexanys1982 If magic or the force was real, only the very very talented or educated would wield it. Even in the Potter books the most powerful people spend years and years studying to be good. This alone would nix about 99.9% of the population from ever reaching any kind of power....It would probably be fine...
If the power were actually attainable by practice, and not just based on luck (like everything in our lives currently is), I think you'd find most people putting in the time to pursue power.
Though I would totes love to exist in a world of magical powers, I do think that evil would tip the scale, given our human tendencies. The only reason we don't see more evil irl than we currently do is because those corrupt people with money and power rely on those people who have no money or power. I dare say we'd all be at risk of using our powers selfishly, and then falling into the habbit of doing so. It would most likely be total anarchy.
Originally posted by Vorthanion Hell yes. No matter what kind of world / universe we could live in, you have to take the bad with the good. Bad people with magic are no worse than bad people with guns or political power.
If you take Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol-Pot, that is entirely true. No black magician could have killed more.
Originally posted by maplestone For all practical purposes we already live in such a world. The magic just uses money instead of mana.
This is also true, but it is the dark side.
The dark side employs money, tech, pharmaceuticals, and psychological manipulation. Of course, these are all interrelated as well. Thus, it's the dark side of the force, or black magic if you prefer.
Originally posted by tank017 Yes, in fact i long for it sometimes.I think my brain requires a higher level of stimulation, which is why i find the world we live in to be pretty boring.Its pretty much why i play mmos and games in general.I wish i could afford to be a dare devil or thrill seeker/adventurer in this world,it'd be the only way i could truly enjoy it without gaming lol..
Yeah, I can relate to that a lot. ^^
Originally posted by 7star
We do live in such a world.
It's only that movie and game portrayals of magic/force are oversimplified and crude representations of how it really works.
Ok, that may be so, but I meant, magic/the force/Superpowers like in movies. Would you want to have that?
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
Originally posted by tank017 Yes, in fact i long for it sometimes.I think my brain requires a higher level of stimulation, which is why i find the world we live in to be pretty boring.Its pretty much why i play mmos and games in general.I wish i could afford to be a dare devil or thrill seeker/adventurer in this world,it'd be the only way i could truly enjoy it without gaming lol..
Yeah, I can relate to that a lot. ^^
Originally posted by 7star
We do live in such a world.
It's only that movie and game portrayals of magic/force are oversimplified and crude representations of how it really works.
Ok, that may be so, but I meant, magic/the force/Superpowers like in movies. Would you want to have that?
This is interesting, but difficult to answer.
For me, it is like asking:
Would you like to live in a world with love/romance as it is portrayed in the movies?
In that case, no. I prefer the real thing.
EDIT: This is difficult to explain, becuase the movies only (almost always?) portray physical things we can see, obviously. We see with human eyes, thus we are relegated to the perception available in this dimension. Extra-dimensional abilities ... hard to get into here.
I want to fly like NEO in the MATRIX. That I would love...But only faster, like to other planets and galaxies in the blink of an eye, etc...Oh, and teleporting...and perhaps invisibility and invulnerability. But now things are getting out of control...losing focus....
Trying to explain to people how radio waves and transistors and stuff work recently made me realize that, for the vast majority of people, the world is already filled with magic. Very few people actually understand the processes behind something as simple as, say, transmitting a TV signal over the air.
Hell, I don't even think most people understand how pressing the gas pedal makes your care go faster. To them, it's just a magic pedal that makes you move.
Really, it's all just examples of Clarke's 3rd law on a massive scale.
Originally posted by zymurgeist I don't trust most people to maintain control of a car. Imagine the damage they could do with magic?
Skipping through life uneducated, because you mind-controlled all of your teachers every quiz day.
"These are not the students you're looking for." "These are not the students I'm looking for."
Damn, puberty in general would suck way, way worse for everyone :P
"Darth Jimmy, put that lightsabre down!"
"He's just angry because he mind-controlled Sally to, well, you know and now she's pregnant."
"Seventh one this week."
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
Originally posted by Kyleran 1. Resurrection/respawn 2. Flying 3. Healing
1. Global population growth rises to unsustainable levels overnight.
2. Midair collisions and bodies falling from the sky, massive traffic jams over cities.
3. Reckless behavior skyrockets due to lack of consequences.
I always felt that the World of Darkness had the best explanation for keeping magick in check. It made it so the use of magick for however crazy the outcome, if seen by the eyes of average folks would cause a build up of backlash which would usually end in the summoning of a creature that ate magick for breakfast, was extremely tough, and would most exclusively go after the witch or wizard in question.
It was a nice balance. One could however do all the subtle spells one wanted without suspicion or backlash like entropy spells, making someone trip, spill something on themselves, have a hard time at the horse races, accidently have a fender bender. It was kool imo.
"Hi Jimmy, welcome back. You look delicious! *thwack*"
When the consumption rate precisely matches the respawn rate, equilibrium.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
This takes me back to a great book i have read many times written by Clive Barker, it's called Weaveworld. For anyone who reads and has not read this book i suggest you do.
Pfft... I'll take the time travel power of course. I may not be very powerful but I'll just keep re-doing it till I win
"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community ... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots”
― Umberto Eco
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
Interesting thread... not so interesting responses.
Honestly first of all if magic was like I envision it to be, it would be something that few people really have. Say magic is to be gained from long studying of books to learn magical spells. That would be a fair method, and the more you use magic, the better you get with it.
However, a simple method of showing why people would not all be very magically-competent, is as easy as looking at why most people do not have six-pack abs (for men) or very low body fat (for women and men). It takes a lot of self-discipline to get a great body, and they are not common. It is rare to see someone (male or female) with an ideal body. It would thus be rare to see someone skilled with magic.
First, most would not have the intelligence needed to master it, second, most would not have the patience and interest of studying ancient tomes for hours on end, so those magic-users would be niches, much like bodybuilders, succesful artists, or engineers are today. Most people would not be adept with it.
Also, magic would actually de-stabilize power in the world, as individuals with magic could overpower oppressive tyrants a lot easier than they can with our technology alone, as it would be much harder to confiscate and take away people's access to magical knowledge, as it would to secure guns. The Internet could easily spread magic, I can see websites like PirateBay doing it, and as we know, government blocks are not effective at all.
So magic would actually be a great thing for freedom. As for it causing mass chaos? Spells would of course be regulated, killing someone with magic would be as bad as using technology to do it.
I'd love to live in such a world. Imagine being able to breathe underwater, fly, teleport, etc? Very fascinating.
Also people don't realize that it would also require certain commitments based on various schools of magic. Say a person who used nature magic might be required to tend to the natural world and favour balance, in fear of losing their powers. Same with a person who uses Light magic, who must be good alignment, must be honest, atone for sin, not murder, cheat, steal, etc, and likewise the inverse with Dark magic.
I think if systems like that were in place, it would be fascinating. Honestly, a world with magic would be a great world.
Comments
If the power were actually attainable by practice, and not just based on luck (like everything in our lives currently is), I think you'd find most people putting in the time to pursue power.
Though I would totes love to exist in a world of magical powers, I do think that evil would tip the scale, given our human tendencies. The only reason we don't see more evil irl than we currently do is because those corrupt people with money and power rely on those people who have no money or power. I dare say we'd all be at risk of using our powers selfishly, and then falling into the habbit of doing so. It would most likely be total anarchy.
If you take Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol-Pot, that is entirely true. No black magician could have killed more.
Oh and watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfiaGungQsg (Robot Chicken - Bush with Jedi powers, hilarious fun ^^)
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
We do live in such a world.
It's only that movie and game portrayals of magic/force are oversimplified and crude representations of how it really works.
This is also true, but it is the dark side.
The dark side employs money, tech, pharmaceuticals, and psychological manipulation. Of course, these are all interrelated as well. Thus, it's the dark side of the force, or black magic if you prefer.
Yeah, I can relate to that a lot. ^^
Ok, that may be so, but I meant, magic/the force/Superpowers like in movies. Would you want to have that?
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
This is interesting, but difficult to answer.
For me, it is like asking:
Would you like to live in a world with love/romance as it is portrayed in the movies?
In that case, no. I prefer the real thing.
EDIT: This is difficult to explain, becuase the movies only (almost always?) portray physical things we can see, obviously. We see with human eyes, thus we are relegated to the perception available in this dimension. Extra-dimensional abilities ... hard to get into here.
I want to fly like NEO in the MATRIX. That I would love...But only faster, like to other planets and galaxies in the blink of an eye, etc...Oh, and teleporting...and perhaps invisibility and invulnerability. But now things are getting out of control...losing focus....
Too much like living in Ivory Coast - there are two people there, the ones that have guns and ones that don't.
No, thanks.
Trying to explain to people how radio waves and transistors and stuff work recently made me realize that, for the vast majority of people, the world is already filled with magic. Very few people actually understand the processes behind something as simple as, say, transmitting a TV signal over the air.
Hell, I don't even think most people understand how pressing the gas pedal makes your care go faster. To them, it's just a magic pedal that makes you move.
Really, it's all just examples of Clarke's 3rd law on a massive scale.
You make me like charity
Skipping through life uneducated, because you mind-controlled all of your teachers every quiz day.
"These are not the students you're looking for." "These are not the students I'm looking for."
Damn, puberty in general would suck way, way worse for everyone :P
"Darth Jimmy, put that lightsabre down!"
"He's just angry because he mind-controlled Sally to, well, you know and now she's pregnant."
"Seventh one this week."
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
I always felt that the World of Darkness had the best explanation for keeping magick in check. It made it so the use of magick for however crazy the outcome, if seen by the eyes of average folks would cause a build up of backlash which would usually end in the summoning of a creature that ate magick for breakfast, was extremely tough, and would most exclusively go after the witch or wizard in question.
It was a nice balance. One could however do all the subtle spells one wanted without suspicion or backlash like entropy spells, making someone trip, spill something on themselves, have a hard time at the horse races, accidently have a fender bender. It was kool imo.
"Unsustainable levels" is without meaning, given that no one can die.
So, always hungry/infinite respawn.
Which turns to the most logical answer for food quickly, yes?
Always hungry / infinite respawn / human burger meat / infinite respawn...
"Hi Jimmy, welcome back. You look delicious! *thwack*"
When the consumption rate precisely matches the respawn rate, equilibrium.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
If i have a strong force bond, yeah sure why not.
If i don't, you know what happens to all the red shirts? Exactly no thanks, live is dangerous enough without a feelable (and visual able) "force".
we already live.
what do you think dreams, meditation, drugs, mushrooms, chemical imbalances, astrology, divination, sorcery, necromancy, paranormal powers, demons, spirits, "psychological/neurological problems" are?
Its just that you are locked in the matrix and nobody tells you the truth.
Answer: NO
Why? I wouldn't trust people with that kind of thing as far as I could throw them. Just look what they do with money, power, and position.
This takes me back to a great book i have read many times written by Clive Barker, it's called Weaveworld. For anyone who reads and has not read this book i suggest you do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaveworld
How do you know we don't live in a world with magic.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
Interesting thread... not so interesting responses.
Honestly first of all if magic was like I envision it to be, it would be something that few people really have. Say magic is to be gained from long studying of books to learn magical spells. That would be a fair method, and the more you use magic, the better you get with it.
However, a simple method of showing why people would not all be very magically-competent, is as easy as looking at why most people do not have six-pack abs (for men) or very low body fat (for women and men). It takes a lot of self-discipline to get a great body, and they are not common. It is rare to see someone (male or female) with an ideal body. It would thus be rare to see someone skilled with magic.
First, most would not have the intelligence needed to master it, second, most would not have the patience and interest of studying ancient tomes for hours on end, so those magic-users would be niches, much like bodybuilders, succesful artists, or engineers are today. Most people would not be adept with it.
Also, magic would actually de-stabilize power in the world, as individuals with magic could overpower oppressive tyrants a lot easier than they can with our technology alone, as it would be much harder to confiscate and take away people's access to magical knowledge, as it would to secure guns. The Internet could easily spread magic, I can see websites like PirateBay doing it, and as we know, government blocks are not effective at all.
So magic would actually be a great thing for freedom. As for it causing mass chaos? Spells would of course be regulated, killing someone with magic would be as bad as using technology to do it.
I'd love to live in such a world. Imagine being able to breathe underwater, fly, teleport, etc? Very fascinating.
Also people don't realize that it would also require certain commitments based on various schools of magic. Say a person who used nature magic might be required to tend to the natural world and favour balance, in fear of losing their powers. Same with a person who uses Light magic, who must be good alignment, must be honest, atone for sin, not murder, cheat, steal, etc, and likewise the inverse with Dark magic.
I think if systems like that were in place, it would be fascinating. Honestly, a world with magic would be a great world.