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12-10-2008, 10:00 PM | #1 |
Pile O'Bones
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 16
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Invisibility
I will keep the question simple, but please answer as fully and honestly as you dare:
What would you do if you had a magic ring that made you invisible? |
12-10-2008, 10:27 PM | #2 |
Newly Deceased
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mar Vanwa Tyaliéva, Kortirion, Tol Eressëa
Posts: 4
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Selador,
I'm not sure this thread belongs in "The Books" forum, but here goes. I would welcome the opportunity to read and study without interruption (assuming my books and laptop were likewise invisible). I'd also do a lot of listening though I would put on the ring before I went out, rather than suddenly disappearing in company. How long could I go before someone noticed I had it, I wonder? |
12-10-2008, 10:34 PM | #3 |
Pile O'Bones
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 16
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Thanks for your reply, Vaire. I really do want to tie this back to something specific in the books, actually, but I want to wait until there are some responses before I do that. Otherwise it will ruin the experiment.
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12-11-2008, 04:22 AM | #4 |
Shade of Carn Dûm
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: The Shire (Staffordshire), United Kingdom
Posts: 273
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I know what I ought to do with a ring of invisiblity - destroy it, even if it costs me heavily.
But, however much I like to pretend, I'm not a Hobbit. I'm human, and therefore open to temptation; I would use the ring. At first, I would use it out of simple curiosity, to find out how well it worked, and then to play tricks on family and friends. The next temptation would be to help friends in trouble (Bilbo and the dwarves) and to circumvent annoying restrictions on my life (Harry Potter). How long would it be before I was eavesdropping on on my friends (Lucy in The Voyage of The Dawn Treader) or spying on those neighbours I distrust? The temptation to use the ring for personal gain, for money, influence, power or status, would quickly overwhelm me. Even without the malign influence of Sauron, the ring would, as Gandalf feared, turn me into a Dark Lord and, in the end, destroy me. If you ever come across a Ring of Power, run. . |
12-11-2008, 07:27 AM | #5 |
Guard of the Citadel
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxon
Posts: 2,205
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I'd use it for myself, I don't deny that, but mostly probably for common good Robin Hood-like. Steal from those who don't deserve and give to those who do.
If it's so hard for people to learn to help each other, then I might just use the Ring to make help come, whether they want it or not. I mean, every time I hear about that stupid My Super Sweet 16 party with rich spoiled hirls throwing away money here and there ignorant of all around them then I feel it's time for payback. And to stay frank, I would probably try to eliminate some of the world's leaders like Iran's ayatollah or some terrorist heads. One douchebag at a time. Ok, enough dreaming around. And yes, I also believe the thread does not belong in "Books", rather in "Newcomers". EDIT: or I would give it to someone wiser than me or at least seek some guidance in that matter.
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“The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.”
Delos B. McKown |
12-11-2008, 08:21 AM | #6 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: midway upon... in a forest dark
Posts: 975
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I'll use it in school, to look at my records, and some others. Muwahahaha. I can be very evil, so maybe it's not a very good idea to let me have something like that.
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12-11-2008, 09:08 AM | #7 |
Pittodrie Poltergeist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again
Posts: 633
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I would rob banks and cheat on exams.
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As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering. |
12-11-2008, 09:43 AM | #8 |
Princess of Skwerlz
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles)
Posts: 7,500
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As an opinion thread, this does belong in the Novices and Newcomers forum, and I'm moving it there. Additional serious discussion later on can take place there as well - it's always nice to have good topics on N&N!
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'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...' |
12-11-2008, 11:41 AM | #9 |
Curmudgeonly Wordwraith
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits
Posts: 2,509
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If one considers the attributes of a ring of invisibility, it becomes clear that there are really no good uses for one (as is evident by all the would-be criminals posting on this subject).
I would most likely reject the offer, as it would only lead to evil eventually.
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And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision. |
12-11-2008, 11:54 AM | #10 |
Cryptic Aura
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 5,996
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This question raises that hoary old problem in Tolkien's Legendarium, how after many years he struggled to removed all references to what he felt were the cheap thrills of magic. He attempted to make any and all special effects the result of a highly developed, elevated elven art.
So, how does a "magic ring" make one invisible? How does"art" enable a body to cross over to the other side? (And why is that other side so dark?) Is this a form of mind/body imagery that the beauty of the ring inspires? Or is there some alchemical "stuff" in the metallurgy which causes the cells of the body to disperse beyond their usual density? And as for the question, I frankly don't think the question is at all hypothetical. After all, this internets stuff makes us all invisible, although we each see each other's thoughts. I think we Downers have already put on the "magic ring". It's called the Internet. And many people think that is e-vil.
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I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away. |
12-11-2008, 01:42 PM | #11 |
Auspicious Wraith
Join Date: May 2002
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 4,859
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It can't be just me whose invisible deeds would be censored here.
Mithalwen, I'm looking at you.
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Los Ingobernables de Harlond |
12-11-2008, 01:50 PM | #12 |
Pittodrie Poltergeist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again
Posts: 633
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Aye I would get up to all sorts of ill-deeds It would probably be best for me to turn into a wraith in the end.
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As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering. |
12-11-2008, 01:58 PM | #13 |
Doubting Dwimmerlaik
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Heaven's basement
Posts: 2,466
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No good could come of it. I think that what we are really talking about is complete anonymity - i.e. being able to do stuff without anyone knowing. Isn't that the best way to sort out the truly virtuous from the vile, to observe what he/she does when no one is looking?
Isn't that a good reason to create or 'discover' a god and/or internalized law that is always watching, even when no one else is? Keeps the id in place, it does.
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There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.
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12-11-2008, 09:45 PM | #14 |
Pile O'Bones
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 16
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First, my apologies for placing this in the wrong forum. But wow! What great responses!
I have to admit it, a Ring of Invisibility would definitely be on my Christmas List. I would use it, too. My hat off to those of you who could truly walk away from it. But for me - well, let's just say that I imagine that I wouldn't have any worries about money anymore. A bit of a moral dilemma, true, but along the lines of what The Might has written, I think it would be easy for me to justify just how underserving some of the wealthy are. I would be carefully selective in my victims, I think, but I would have few qualms about playing Robin Hood. The ring would make it a lot easier. And I would be generous. I'm quite sure of that. Truth is, besides a few creature comforts, I don't really want for much. But Robin does have to eat. And if the train is already going across country anyway - or if the airplane is already flying off to venice - who am I really hurting by slipping into the empty seat, right? And it would be nice to smite all my enemies. Well, maybe not smite, but at least embarrass the really jerky ones who totally deserve it. And, eh ... well, maybe that's as much as I dare admit. For now. I'm censoring myself, Eomer. I greatly appreciate all the responses. Thanks! Terrific post, Selmo! And Bêthberry, I am overwhelmed thinking about the details of the operation of the magic. It is fascinating to consider. And I love your observation that we are all wearing the Ring right now. So true. What really got me thinking of this was that I was trying to get into Sméagol's head. How evil was he to begin with? How much did the Ring warp him? Should we pity him or condemn him? And when I put myself in his shoes, I suddenly realized that - if I'm honest - I have to admit that I would use the ring in many of the same ways he did - or in wicked ways of my own, justifying them with my own rationalizations. I'm not proud of that, but I didn't think I would be the only one, and it made me wonder if perhaps Gollum is too harshly demonized for motivations that are more common than many suspect. Last edited by Selador; 12-11-2008 at 09:50 PM. |
12-12-2008, 06:18 AM | #15 | |||||||
Doubting Dwimmerlaik
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Heaven's basement
Posts: 2,466
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Note that if I appear overly grumpy, it's not personal, but more likely due to the morning paper being late due to snow.
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Plus whose to say who is deserving, and who is deserving of your redistribution services? Bet that there's some on the streets of Calcutta that would find you undeserving in your present state. Quote:
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Though...we need a new metaphor when speaking of hobbit kind, as, well, they never wore shoes...
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There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.
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12-12-2008, 06:37 PM | #16 | ||
Pile O'Bones
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 16
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Oh, heck yeah. I'm not afraid to admit it. I am wise enough to know that I should not use such a ring, but the urge to do good with it would be too strong for me to resist and would lead me down a crooked path. And the urge to do a little evil with it would not be completely irresistible to me. Like I say, I am not proud of it, but I know myself to be a less than perfect man.
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And I would not simply be taking from the rich-at-large either. When I wrote that I would be selective of my victims, I meant that I would be very reluctant to steal from anyone, and would have to consider the matter and the individuals very closely. But if, for example, you have a chance to save 'Tiny Tim' by filching a bit of silver from 'Mr. Scrooge' (who you feel certain is unlikely ever to miss it at all), well then, what is the greater good? Should Tiny Tim be doomed so that I can keep my consience clean? I guess I should just leave it in the ghosts' hands, but what if they never come? Quote:
As for Sméagol, I am quite convinced that the Ring was behind the murder of his best friend, although I know that some don't believe it. And while I'm certain it is possible, I can't put too much store in the rumor of his killing babies, as it is only a rumor. It has always struck me as exaggeration. However, all of that is really beside the point. I've no agenda here. I am only wondering what others think. Considering Sméagol only prompted my question. I am not trying to mount any defense of him, and I am not telling anyone that they should pity him. I am only trying to get people to ponder the temptations of a Ring of Invisibility on a more personal level than they might have were they only to do so in the abstract, through the character of Sméagol. And as for the airlines. Bah! I could lose a few pounds, sure, but I don't think they'll go bankrupt over me. I think I would enjoy the mischief and adventure of tramping more than the real financial benefit. But, hey, I never said I was a saint. Even Frodo nicked a few mushrooms in his day, eh? |
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12-12-2008, 06:44 PM | #17 |
Pile O'Bones
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 16
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And I do appreciate your candor, Alatar. I'm not offended by your comments. Besides, it all hypothetical, and really, I might do much better than I have theorized were I to be truly tested. So, don't think too badly of me.
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12-12-2008, 06:47 PM | #18 |
Wight
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I would do horrid, treacherous things if I had one.
This being said, I would walk away from it if it came to me. Truly. The temptation to wrong others would be too great. I don't think I could lower myself to the sort of sneakthievery that a ring like that would bring.
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Is é gáire ár gcuid páistí a bheas mar dhíoltas againn. - Roibeard Gearóid Ó Seachnasaigh
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12-13-2008, 09:09 PM | #19 | ||||||||
Doubting Dwimmerlaik
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Heaven's basement
Posts: 2,466
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There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.
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12-14-2008, 08:15 AM | #20 | |
A Mere Boggart
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: under the bed
Posts: 4,737
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As for answering the question honestly about what I'd do if I had The Ring, I can't. Not because it's criminal but it's definitely not family friendly enough for the Downs. All I can say is it would involve vast amounts of custard
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Gordon's alive!
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12-14-2008, 12:12 PM | #21 | ||
Cryptic Aura
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 5,996
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I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away. |
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12-14-2008, 01:26 PM | #22 |
Doubting Dwimmerlaik
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Heaven's basement
Posts: 2,466
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Is it better if you're invisible?!?
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There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.
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12-14-2008, 01:33 PM | #23 |
Curmudgeonly Wordwraith
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits
Posts: 2,509
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Well, better for Lalwende in the case of Legolas, but it would not be so for Glorfindel, as he can obviously see the 'unseen' (or obscene, as the case may be).
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And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision. |
12-14-2008, 03:21 PM | #24 |
A Mere Boggart
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: under the bed
Posts: 4,737
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Legolas? Who mentioned Legolas? I was thinking more along the lines of a midnight raid on the jam sponge pudding bakery.
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Gordon's alive!
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12-19-2008, 11:43 AM | #25 |
Pilgrim Soul
Join Date: May 2004
Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle...
Posts: 9,458
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You might look but would you see? Otherwise I have absolutely no idea what you mean.
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“But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.”
Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace |
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