Enhancing Your Traits

[Epistemologist]

If you could push a "magic button" to enhance your traits, what would you do?

Some quasi-researchers asked this question to some kids and found that "fame" is a frequent answer.

Here's an article concerning the matter.

And about the issue of enhancement per se, why would one do it? Does it reflect insecurities? Does it reflect fear? Does it reflect fundamental weaknesses among shallowly selfish individuals?

I mean, maybe that analysis doesn't really apply to that magic button poll question, where not much toil is given to achieve the result and it's a fun question anyway, but it does apply to issues like rampant cosmetic surgery and other such blind aspirations.

And then there are some people who claim they are satisfied with their identities, but they're really just lying to themselves to conceal their inherent lack of self-esteem and make themselves look "strong" vis-a-vis others. And there are others who are just snobs who think they're better than everyone else in their pseudo-perfect uniqueness.

Then again, there are other some who are truly people we might call "self-actualized" who are really satisfied with themselves to the appropriate level. But they're awfully rare, in my opinion.

Make sure to vote in the poll.

(Snap, that was a nice post, I might reuse it somewhere. :eek: )

[kubedawg]

I'd be smarter or not push the button.

[Kamehameha34]

I didn't push the button. I am already obscenely strong, beautiful, and have an IQ of 213.

Oh, and I'm famous. :confused:

[pahl]

Smarter. Stronger would be usefull too, but that can easily be done through training.

Why does so many want fame? Thats the last thing i'd choose.

[G. Adams]

I wouldn't push the button. It's not that there's nothing that I'd improve about myself, just that it's not worth it unless it's earned. Pushing a button is lazy. What I want I'll go out and get rather than take any quick answers.

[Cephus]

I wouldn't push the button. Like G. Adams, if you don't work for it, it isn't worth getting and I'm already happy with myself, there's nothing I'd want to magically change or improve.

[pahl]

Winning in a lottery is lazy, but i would still take the money. Thats the way i see it. I am happy with myself, but as always i try to improve. Otherwise i wouldent be studying, but working at some factory.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: pahl Winning in a lottery is lazy, but i would still take the money. Thats the way i see it. I am happy with myself, but as always i try to improve. Otherwise i wouldent be studying, but working at some factory.

Studying is hard work to achieve a goal, that's noble. Pushing a button to become smart isn't. It's not an achievement. It's something a monkey could do, so it's worthless.

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: G. Adams Studying is hard work to achieve a goal, that's noble. Pushing a button to become smart isn't. It's not an achievement. It's something a monkey could do, so it's worthless.

Well, there is a benefit for pushing the button/receiving lottery money, so it's not worthless. It's just a matter of principle if you'll accept it. Besides, many of the people who don't accept it are lying to themselves, as I said in an earlier post.

It's not an achievement, though. Obviously, when looking at people in a country club, the guy who won a million dollars from the lottery is probably much less esteemed than the hard-working millionaires. Then again, many of the other people in the country club might be lazy underachievers as well, but that's another matter.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: Epistemologist Well, there is a benefit for pushing the button/receiving lottery money, so it's not worthless. It's just a matter of principle if you'll accept it. Besides, many of the people who don't accept it are lying to themselves, as I said in an earlier post. It's not an achievement, though. Obviously, when looking at people in a country club, the guy who won a million dollars from the lottery is probably much less esteemed than the hard-working millionaires. Then again, many of the other people in the country club might be lazy underachievers as well, but that's another matter.

If your only judging yourself through relations to others, as the examples from your second paragraph do, you will never be content. You can be constantly striving, but be happy, if you are judging yourself by your own standards, not those imposed from outside.

This is why, for me, I wouldn't push a button to magically gain something. I would know that I didn't work for it, that it was unearned. That is something I wouldn't be happy about.

If on the other hand I had to work hard just to get to the button, ala Indiana Jones crap, then I'd push it cause I damn well do deserve it.

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: G. Adams If on the other hand I had to work hard just to get to the button, ala Indiana Jones crap, then I'd push it cause I damn well do deserve it.

Indeed, that would be a great effort.

[Scribbler1]

I said "not push the button." Not because I'm hot stuff but I'm just used to me as I am.

[PatrickHenry]

Your polls are so limited, Epi. I would like to have a button that says "more patient, more merciful, more gracious"

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: PatrickHenry Your polls are so limited, Epi. I would like to have a button that says "more patient, more merciful, more gracious"

Those are good traits you mentioned. I'm sorry about the lack of options. I just used the options that the researchers used and added the last one. I guess just select based on those options, and if you don't like any of them, don't push the button. Indeed, there's a lot more to life than smartness, fame, etc.