David Seidler, who recently won an Oscar for best original screenplay for “The King’s Speech,” says he survived cancer by using the same imagination he employed to write his award-winning script.
I haven’t seen the film, but damn, that’s one powerful imagination. Not only can it win an Oscar, but it can cure cancer! It’s like Seidler’s super power!
If you had that kind of imagination, what would you do with it? What would you rid yourself of? What would you rid the world of? If your imagination could rid the world of something, but could only do it if you imagined something in its place, what would you replace the eradicated thing with? If your imagination could rid this blog of this AI, would it?
The Afternoon Inquisition (or AI) is a question posed to you, the Skepchick community. Look for it to appear Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 3pm ET.
I would rid the world of religion and replace it with scientific exploration. Or maybe sexual exploration… gimme a bit to think about that but religion is definitely getting the axe.
… AI also stays.
Kix the $%^& ulnar nerve.
@m1yav1:
Thnx!
@Sam Ogden:
No prob!
Second up for the chop is cauliflower, by the way. I mean c’mon… it’s like lame broccoli.
‘Fix’
If I had that kind of imagination, I’d get rid of all mental illness.
I would rid the world of fuckwits who think they can change the world with their thoughts.
But then The King’s Speech likes good, so maybe not.
I would rid the world of ignorance and replace it with a love of learning. Or maybe chocolate chip cookies.
Of course AI would STAY!
@ohcarnage:
That is my personal COTW!
@m1yav1 I dunno if I’d want to instantly rid the world of *all* religion; while I don’t personally believe in a god (or afterlife), I know the idea brings comfort to a lot of people. I’d rather have everyone gently (voluntarily) brought to science and reason. That said, I’d be in favor of instantly getting rid of some of the worst religious extremists. Apropos of today’s news, how about I imagine away the hatred spewing from the Westboro Baptist Church? I think it should be replaced with…um…unicorns. Because let’s face it, the world would be a better place with more unicorns and fewer bigots.
I’d rid the world of tumors and replace them with mp3 players. “I’ve got music in me. I’ve got music in me…”
—
AI stays. It’s my favorite part of the blog.
When you say “rid this blog of AI” do you mean “No more Afternoon Inquisition” or “disable the robot overlords who force you to post”?
‘Cause the first would suck. The second would be treason. Are you a Commie Mutant Traitor, Sam? I love our robot overlords… I mean protectors.
For crying in the night, haven’t you people heard of John Lennon?
@Steve in MI
He was some kind of mutant insect, right?
I’d imagine away the Bollingbrook Babbler whos side bar ad currently states the following:
“Since 1965, The Babbler has been reporting the unbelievable truth about Bolingbrook, IL. No matter what Rebecca says, it is the home of the world largest urban UFO base!
We’re proud to support our nemesis, The Skepchicks. Their attempts to “debunk” us only inspire us to dig deeper for the truth!”
Clearly an evil and dangerous scourge on Middle America!
Depression, duh. If I wasn’t miserable, I’d be able to do pretty much anything. I am always getting in my own way.
I would also imagine myself a teleporter to a lovely quiet beach on an island with palm trees. It’s too cold to be here anymore.
I’d imagine away all motorized traffic. Except for people who could prove they were disabled, and then only if bicycle-drawn carriages, each powered by six sturdy college students (wearing plumes, if possible) were not feasible.
Hmm, not sure exactly what my imagined world would be like, but it would definitely involve talking cephalopods.
I would like fake claims of the discovery of extraterrestrial life to be replaced by really finding other life out there somewhere.
Wait, when you say “world” you mean earth and that doesn’t include extraterrestrials. Can I wish for 3 more wishes?
Flying cars. I want my flying cars.
No seriously, I would like to replace war, hate and ignorance with peace, love and understanding. What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding?
@Laika:
Come with me
And you’ll be
In a world of
Pure imagination
@geekgirl:
Well presumably, if it is all a matter of how well you imagine it, you could get rid of ALL religion without causing despair. Let’s not forget, we’re basically talking about magic, here.
So really, in that case, I would make religion disappear and replace it with magic like you see in movies and awesome table-top RPG’s! >:D
I’ll design the magic system, guys. Leave it to me! We’ll all be throwing fireballs and turning into dragons by next week!
Well. I have a small problem, my imagination is a bit uncontrollable.
So while I wish to be as altruistic as everyone else I will admit that I’d first imagine away about 40 lbs.
But, I would probably also end up filling the world with significantly more bad puns, innuendo, and crazy (cause man my dreams are wacky)
@Sam Ogden:
Aww, shucks.
I’d rid the world of bigots and bullies and poverty, if I could. Replace it with more logical thought (which would inherently reduce crazy religious people, and replace them with more *spiritual* people, which I’m completely fine with, tbh), more people who understand other peoples’ emotions, and definitely dragons. Lots of dragons. (Less people and MORE DRAGONS and more jobs for people in insurance, medical care, and construction! yaaay! (I know this isn’t logical. I’m okay with that.))
I’d also get rid of chronic pain illnesses and cancer and immune diseases. Just entirely. I don’t know if this is one of those blogs where a bunch of people think fibromyalgia is bunk, but honestly, it’s made my life a living hell. Replace all of those with badass superhero-type mutations.
Also, mental illnesses. I’d at least make them easier to manage. Bipolar is not worth the pain it causes.
@BrieCS: If there were more dragons, we’d definitely need more people in fire insurance, medical care (burns units) and especially more masons building fire-proof brick houses. The “more dragons” part automatically guarantees the rest.
@Buzz Parsec: It’s totally logical, I wanted to add, but somethings broken in the “Click to Edit” function. It turns the entire screen gray, but does not pop up an editing box, like it used to.3 This was working a couple of days ago, but there seem to be other subtle changes in the appearance of the site. Construction zone, drive carefully, speed limits reduced?
@Buzz Parsec:
I had the same problem with the edit function last night, so I tried to delete and got the same gray screne.
@Buzz Parsec
Are you my twin from an alternate universe? Because the first thing I thought when I read @BrieCS’ post was the dragons would pretty much accomplish the rest (as would the superhuman mutants for that matter). I notice your avatar has a VanDyke.
Imposter!!!!!!
Random thought….
What would a Dick VanDyke look like?
@mrmisconception: Err, don’t be a Dick? Be a Jerry instead. My Mother the Car, worst.paranormal.show.ever. (Or best?)
I’m Buzz Lightyear’s evil twin, hence the facial hair. If you’re my twin, you must be the original Buzz Lightyear.
@Buzz Parsec
Well, in that case it can’t be true.
I don’t have a spanish setting.
@mrmisconception: Have you checked the instruction manual?
@Buzz Parsec
There’s an instruction book!!!???!?!
I’VE BEEN DUPED!
I would use the full power of that imagination to write a screenplay of a historical event
I would get paid $2 million an episode to be in a crappy TV show. I had a disease. I cured it with my brain.
@Buzz Parsec:
Yay!
I like the whole creating more jobs option. Also, I would like to fly on a dragon. Preferably not IN a dragon.