If you had one wish, what would it be?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Evo
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread explores the concept of making a single wish, with participants sharing their personal desires and reflections on what they would wish for. The discussion encompasses a range of topics, including personal happiness, the well-being of loved ones, and broader societal issues.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express wishes related to the happiness and well-being of their loved ones, such as wishing for a child’s happiness or leaving the world in a better state.
  • Others propose wishes aimed at eliminating negative aspects of society, such as violence, fear, and greed.
  • Several participants wish for personal happiness or fulfillment, with one expressing a desire to be a best-selling author.
  • Mind reading is suggested as a wish, with discussions around its potential benefits and complications in personal relationships.
  • Some participants humorously reflect on the nature of wishes and the potential pitfalls of wishing for certain things, referencing common tropes about wishes going awry.
  • A few participants engage in playful banter about the implications of their wishes and the concept of loopholes in wishing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus among participants, as multiple competing views and wishes are presented. Some participants agree on the value of certain wishes, while others highlight the complexities and potential drawbacks of wishing.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about the nature of wishes and their outcomes, with some referencing common cultural narratives about the consequences of wishing.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may interest those exploring philosophical questions about desire, the implications of wishes, and the interplay between personal aspirations and societal issues.

  • #31
So, Tsunami, I bet you're the one who talked her into neglecting the standard consumer warning: Be Careful What You Wish For, Because You Might Just Get It!*
*Do not remove this label under penalty of law.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
.
Well, I can't think of any way to perverse wishing for my friend to have the ability to grant my wishes.

I wish to stop everyone's wishes from ever happening. I win
 
  • #33
Wouldnt that nullify YOUR wish as well? You should have said "everyone but my". And you can't cheerfully withdraw it now, your wish is wasted HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
 
  • #34
Originally posted by jimmy p
Wouldnt that nullify YOUR wish as well? You should have said "everyone but my". And you can't cheerfully withdraw it now, your wish is wasted HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
jimmy, you may have a future as a solicitor. Nice way with technicalities.
 
  • #35
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
So, Tsunami, I bet you're the one who talked her into neglecting the standard consumer warning: Be Careful What You Wish For, Because You Might Just Get It!*



*Do not remove this label under penalty of law.
What's your point?
<---see avatar face

Grrrrrrrr.
 
  • #36
Originally posted by Tsunami
Grrrrrrrr.
So, what are you saying? You're both the evil twin?
 
  • #37
I repeat:
Originally posted by Tsunami
What's your point?
<---see avatar face

Grrrrrrrr.
'That's two.' :wink:
 
  • #38
hmm.. I just noticed Tsunamis' avatar and it scares me. That dog looks like its about to maim or kill someone.

Id wish for infinite wishes hehe
 
  • #39
Originally posted by Tsunami
I repeat:
'That's two.' :wink:
So, Tsunami, I can't seem to find your wish.

(Incidently, I learned of Evo's wickedness from her, herself. "Evo" is a kind of mispronounciation of "Evil". She told me this herself. I swear. It's back in the "Cutest Guy/Gal" thread, or the "Member Photo Thread" or somewhere. Ask her.)
 
  • #40
i would wish that people would like me for me, so that i shouldn't feel like i have to put on a facade. that would be wonderful!
 
  • #41
*hearing the distinct sounds of back-peddling Zooby shoes, Tsunami chuckles to herself*

I repeat:

Originally posted by Tsunami
What's your point?
<---see avatar face

Grrrrrrrr.

That's three!

*oh boy* *attacks Zooby's wet-with-drool, smelly, hairy pantleg and rips it to shreds - spits it out in disgust thinking 'Geez. Take a BATH, Zoob.'*

OK. Had enough? Or shall I wish for a TLE-FREE world?

Evo and I are only evil if we are PUSHED into it. But I'm the older twin, so I have more experience. So, watch yourself Mr. Zooby. Unless you have something against that other pantleg of yours...:wink: WARNING! Once I finish with the pantlegs, I just start working my way up, leaving chaos and destruction in my wake...
 
  • #42
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
So, Tsunami, I can't seem to find your wish.

(Incidently, I learned of Evo's wickedness from her, herself. "Evo" is a kind of mispronounciation of "Evil". She told me this herself. I swear. It's back in the "Cutest Guy/Gal" thread, or the "Member Photo Thread" or somewhere. Ask her.)
heheh, yes, it's all true. My daughter, the "child of evil" (her nickname because she can get anything she wants from anyone just by giving them "the look"), evil became "evo". :smile:
 
  • #43
Originally posted by Evo
heheh, yes, it's all true. My daughter, the "child of evil" (her nickname because she can get anything she wants from anyone just by giving them "the look"), evil became "evo". :smile:
Yes, I remember. But if the 'child of evil' is YOUR child, YOU are the 'evil' in the equation, correct!? See, I KNEW you were up to no good when you suggested removing those labels from the pillows and mattresses when we were kids... ATTAGIRL! THAT'S my twin! :wink: You're the BEST!

ps
you're supposed to be sleeping! go to BED!
 
  • #44
Originally posted by Evo
heheh, yes, it's all true. My daughter, the "child of evil" (her nickname because she can get anything she wants from anyone just by giving them "the look"), evil became "evo". :smile:
Anyway, with this confession in mind, let those who post wishes in this thread beware. (Including you, Tsunami.) Have reruns of The Twilight Zone taught you all nothing?
 
  • #45
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
Oh, I can't believe all the people who are falling into Evo's wicked trap. here. Every T.V. show, movie, and ancient legend about being granted wishes clearly ends up such that your wish is granted in some frustratingly perverse way, no matter how pure hearted. Wish for world peace and the next day you wake up the only person left on Earth - that sort of thing.

I have pondered this many times as well, but I think there's an easy loophole. Say you want to wish for X. Then you request:

"I wish for X to occur, in such a way that if I were able to preview the results of my wish, I would be perfectly satisfied that my wish had been granted to the fullest of my wishful intent."

I think I would wish for everyone on the planet to become enlightened, with the above previso, of course. Although it would be tempting to wish for the ability to slip into any state of consciousness that is possible (including nonhuman ones) at will.
 
  • #46
Originally posted by hypnagogue
"I wish for X to occur, in such a way that if I were able to preview the results of my wish, I would be perfectly satisfied that my wish had been granted to the fullest of my wishful intent."
So, what binds the genie to making the "real" fullfillment live up to the "preview?"
I think I would wish for everyone on the planet to become enlightened, with the above previso, of course.
Catch 22: Enlightened people don't make wishes. Buddha said desire is the cause of all suffering.
Although it would be tempting to wish for the ability to slip into any state of consciousness that is possible (including nonhuman ones) at will.
If you rid yourself of all wishes you would have this ability, but you wouldn't particularly care to use it.
 
  • #47
Hey zooby, you could be a solicitor too! partners?
 
  • #48
Originally posted by Evo
If you were given just one wish that would come true, what would it be? What one thing do you want more than anything?

No fair wishing for more wishes, or that all of your wishes be granted. You have ONE wish.

My wish would be that my daughter will always be happy in whatever she chooses.

A commendable wish.

I wish for what I always wish for on these type of threads: The "Learning Machine" from Battlefield Earth.
 
  • #49
Originally posted by jimmy p
Hey zooby, you could be a solicitor too! partners?
Me? No. I prefer the life of a lawless scoundrel...Hey! I'd make a perfect lawyer, wouldn't I?
 
  • #50
wish

I would wish that all humans could have the same good fortune and opportunity in life that i have had.
 
  • #51
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
So, what binds the genie to making the "real" fullfillment live up to the "preview?"

There is no preview; it's just that IF I could have a preview of what the genie definitely was going to do, I would approve. The wish must be fulfilled in such a way that it satisfies this condition. Should work unless the genie went to law school.

Catch 22: Enlightened people don't make wishes. Buddha said desire is the cause of all suffering.

That's ok, since I'm not enlightened right now so I can make any wish I want. :wink:

If you rid yourself of all wishes you would have this ability, but you wouldn't particularly care to use it.

Maybe. What is the fullness of a half-tall glass?
 
  • #52
The Ultimate 'Utopian' wish where 'Wishes' would not be needed!
 

Similar threads

Undergrad A variant of the Monty Hall problem
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Studying What's an effective way to study so that it "sticks"?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
I want to study physics and related maths, but I am confused....
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
BSc Physics: University Options for a second bachelor's degree
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
What would you have done differently if you had to go back?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
High School What are the differences between relict and relic?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
4K
Utility Scale PV Arrays Located near HV Transmission Lines: Minimum Allowable Distance
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
592
Physics Questions by a First Year UofToronto Physics Student on Grad Admissions
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
Undergrad What Happens When an Object Accelerating Away from a Black Hole Stops?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
Schools Canadian universities for physics undergrad program
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K