Which would you choose between having the ability to read minds, or the ability to influence thought?

Question

With reading minds, you could know exactly what people are really thinking and how they truly feel.

With influencing thought you wouldn't know what people are thinking, but you could influence them to think or feel whatever you want.

libsaretards · Accepted Answer

I would rather be able to read minds. Influencing thought feels manipulative. Also, influencing thought would not be necessary. If I could read minds, then I can alter my strategy around how that person thinks. In other words, I can read that person like a book, analyze HOW they think and use that to achieve my desired goals. If a person's thoughts could be influenced, then their thoughts can also be changed with the right strategy and letting them change their thoughts on their own after choosing the right strategy.

This would achieve the same thing as influencing thoughts, but I would not have the weakness of being blind to the thoughts of people. Also, some people cannot be influenced. In cases like that, the ability to read minds is much more valuable, especially when avoiding people with evil intent.

Telekinetic-Potato · Accepted Answer

Read minds.

I'd rather have the ability to react to what someone is going to do then control them to such an extent.

Also if you can read someone's mind, you can do pretty much the same thing as influence them and you get the added benefit of having information they know transferred to you without anyone knowing.

You also get the added benefit of not having to constantly change someone's mind, you can simply anticipate their actions and plan accordingly.

LaFemmeFatale_1 · Accepted Answer

The ability of influence thoughts - that’s something I always could do… And always felt I could do, since the beginning of my school days.

Because I am good at motivating people, inspiring them, influencing them. And yeah, that feels good. I don’t use this skill to manipulate people, I use it to inspire them, to let them feel more powerful. I’ve been told by everyone who’s lived by my side - “It’s impossible to live with you and not be inspired”.

My Disk Personality is DI - Dominant Inspirer

So, I would rather read their minds so I’ll know how to better influence the thoughts of people.

Allie2468 · Accepted Answer

I would want to have the ability to influence thought because although reading minds would be awesome, what says that you’d be able to turn it off when you want to? It would probably get loud if all the minds in the room just spoke to you 24/7. In that case that you could turn it off, I would choose reading minds. Otherwise, it would be helpful to encourage certain behaviors or thoughts to certain people.

melanieeeB · Answer

Read, with the option to turn it off and on whenever I want

Tiptoetamm · Answer

I don't know either seem tricky. I believe that everyone should make their own choices on their own. I also don't know if I'd want to read minds. Who knows what's in others minds and honestly I don't know if I'd want to know. If I had to choose, probably read minds

IveGotNoName · Answer

I initially voted influence thought, but I think that might be too much power. It could make my life a lot easier, however, I think I'd quickly forget how to control when to use it and when to not, I think the temptation would be too great, and I wouldn't know how to live a normal life. Reading minds is safer.

SandandWaves · Answer

I feel so much already from others...

I chose I would choose the ability to influence thought: sometimes I would like to do this by somehow send them how I feel... so there's no assumptions

what I say is the truth.

penteractgaming · Answer

If you know what someone thinks/how they think, you can probably figure out how to influence the way they see things or failing that, know when there is no point. AND presumably it would let you communicate with anyone at some level no matter what language they speak etc. put simply, it's far more useful than just being able to influence someone.

OldSchool_Metalhead · Answer

I would influence thought. I would change the way people think so they can stop fighting each other and get along and quit complaining about crap lol.

KrisPW · Answer

If I read a mind that of my killer, and can't do anything about it, what good does that do me? Give me the ability to influence please.

Msputiton · Answer

I would not want either. Those powers are a complete violation of someone's basic human rights to privacy and independent thoughts

purplepoppy · Answer

If you influence thoughts then you know what they're thinking.

Wade12345 · Answer

I chose influencing thought. It's easy enough to read people's minds since they usually say what's on their mind.

With influencing thought, I could force Atheists to have a rational mind and believe in God.

KatyaNeedsCake · Answer

Reading minds. While it would be nice to (eg) control my brother, reading minds would open up the diversity of the world out there, rather than reducing it.

sensible27 · Answer

Depends on the extent of both. How many minds can you read at once, and how many minds can you influence at once. But you could always screw things up being able to control things

annabananna · Answer

I’d rather read minds if I could turn it off. The other option sounds dangerous. I like free will.

the_man57 · Answer

Reading minds sounds more innocent versus influencing thought sounds evil. I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing I had the power to influence how other people think. I also just think it's wrong to change peoples' minds without them knowing

GrantArmstrong · Answer

I would choose the ability to influence thoughts because I could be a great therapist and help people.

exitseven · Answer

I think it would be a curse to find out what people really thought. I would go with the other choice, it might be cool to be able to make people do what I want.

Sincerly_KittyCat · Answer

Influence thoughts, so that many doors of oppurtunity will be availabe to me so that I become rich. This skill can also save lives.

call_me_scar · Answer

Influence people I would screw with so many politicians during live speeches

EssenceOfLight · Answer

B
There are a lot of people I would with pleasure to get rid off this world with manipulating them into suicide. Politicians, bankers, super riches... there is a lot of scum that deserves their ride to hell.

KAT247 · Answer

Reading minds. If you do that, you can go the evil route and control. But I advise not to do the last part.

SignedAutographs · Answer

lol, riverdale is doing this right now. Where one can manipulate you with his mind, and the other can read peoples minds. The villain, who can manipulate people with his mind, is emulating trump. They're trying to show what trump is

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I don’t control people but I think I could if I wanted to

Adam1978 · Answer

Normally I am against manipulation but with this I could make aholes into better people.

virtue2332 · Answer

If you can influence thier thought you wouldn't have to read their mind.

Dchrls78104 · Answer

I'd rather be able to read minds; you can avoid toxic people but you can't force people to love or respect you.

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

I choose neither. The amount of thoughts alone from reading one mind might curate some insanity. The other I've already been cursed with.

babz21 · Answer

I choose to read minds. To see if I really matter to people as well as see if people are telling me the truth

LavLavLuv · Answer

Read minds, because i don’t want to influence thoughts

chulo1992 · Answer

I chose this because reading minds would cause LOTS of confict, drama and harmful battles

Fromdusktilldawn · Answer

influence thoughts -> mind control -> imperius curse from Harry Potter

Jltakk · Answer

Read, with the option to choose the target and limit the ability on sleep mode. I would waste less time around people.

Deserter · Answer

I feel like the two are effectively the same depending on the situation

UnknownGagsUser · Answer

Influence though is fun.

LilyByte · Answer

Read minds. Ill know more than your FBI agent

Bety_Hello2022 · Answer

I would choose the ability to influence thoughts

Anonymous · Answer

I can already telepathically read minds and I am good at it

whereismyjohnny · Answer

I'd choose reading minds.

lofii · Answer

The 2nd one is pretty much brain control.

Pink2000 · Answer

Influence thought

Ringstretch · Answer

Both would be a scary thing

OddBeMe · Answer

Seems like both are the same.

Guy13 · Answer

Influence thought…

TrillXHippy · Answer

Influence thought

Which would you choose between having the ability to read minds, or the ability to influence thought?

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Which would you choose between having the ability to read minds, or the ability to influence thought?

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