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 Grimskul wrote:

 cuda1179 wrote:
Quick sidestep here: I'd like to debate two similar, yet slightly different abilities. Teleportation vs Portal creation. Which is inherently better? I kind of like portal creation, as you can see what is happening before making a blind leap. However, it's not quite as instantaneous. Also it seems better for moving mass quantities of stuff.

Portal creation for sure. You would make a killing for transportation of goods in the world's supply chain and it's a huge game changer when it comes to logistics for a country not just in trade but also for military build up/bases since your ability to effectively mobilize troops is basically 90% of the force projection for a country. Depending on how far your portals could go, it could also revolutionize research into space since you could theoretically have people go through portals to enter different planets.

It also makes you a huge potential terror/criminal threat if anyone got a hold of you since if you could theoretically create portals anywhere that includes in the White House or into other countries for bombs or human trafficking, so if people find out what you can do, expect to be arrested almost ASAP if they somehow get their hands on you.

LOL, yeah, but how are they going to KEEP you. I mean, I guess there's the "power restrictor collar", or just keeping you unconscious. I think I'd abuse portals in everyday life for mundane things, like playing catch with myself, or not missing TV when I need to pee. Of course, your ability to call into work because "my car won't start" will be a hard one to sell.

 cuda1179 wrote:

 Grimskul wrote:

 cuda1179 wrote:
Quick sidestep here: I'd like to debate two similar, yet slightly different abilities. Teleportation vs Portal creation. Which is inherently better? I kind of like portal creation, as you can see what is happening before making a blind leap. However, it's not quite as instantaneous. Also it seems better for moving mass quantities of stuff.

Portal creation for sure. You would make a killing for transportation of goods in the world's supply chain and it's a huge game changer when it comes to logistics for a country not just in trade but also for military build up/bases since your ability to effectively mobilize troops is basically 90% of the force projection for a country. Depending on how far your portals could go, it could also revolutionize research into space since you could theoretically have people go through portals to enter different planets.

It also makes you a huge potential terror/criminal threat if anyone got a hold of you since if you could theoretically create portals anywhere that includes in the White House or into other countries for bombs or human trafficking, so if people find out what you can do, expect to be arrested almost ASAP if they somehow get their hands on you.

LOL, yeah, but how are they going to KEEP you. I mean, I guess there's the "power restrictor collar", or just keeping you unconscious. I think I'd abuse portals in everyday life for mundane things, like playing catch with myself, or not missing TV when I need to pee. Of course, your ability to call into work because "my car won't start" will be a hard one to sell.

I figure it's less about getting ahold of you and more of your loved ones once they find out your identity. Use them as leverage.

Peter F Hamilton’s Commonwealth trilogy is a great study in how portals could be used as the basis of a civilization’s transit, logistics and exploration system. It’s a great set of books.

On the Portals thing?

It introduces novel legal challenges.

Let’s say I’ve portalled into and out of a walk-in safe, and helped myself to some dosh.

Could I be charged with more than theft/larceny? I mean, I didn’t force my way in the traditional sense, so no breaking and entering. And if there’s no permanent lightning the safe, it being triggered like a fridge’s light, you may not even be able to see how I got in, or what I took.

I mean, you broke through the fabric of reality… does that count?

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
On the Portals thing?

It introduces novel legal challenges.

Let’s say I’ve portalled into and out of a walk-in safe, and helped myself to some dosh.

Could I be charged with more than theft/larceny? I mean, I didn’t force my way in the traditional sense, so no breaking and entering. And if there’s no permanent lightning the safe, it being triggered like a fridge’s light, you may not even be able to see how I got in, or what I took.

It all depends on who's that walk-in safe is, if someone higher up with enough influence was affected, I guarantee you something would be resolved/added in legal wise to make sure you're thrown additional charges.

I think the bigger part is doing it on an international stage, particularly if you've been doing it where the country you are from doesn't have extradition laws with most countries like China.

 Flinty wrote:
I mean, you broke through the fabric of reality… does that count?

Or did I? Who’s to say how my power actually works? If there’s no detectable, permanent or temporary damage to said fabric of reality? Good luck proving owt.

On Grimskul’s response? I’m not a particularly legally minded person*, but surely a new law can’t be retrospective? So they could get something new on the statutes to do for me the next time, but can’t do that then come after me with that particular stick? Best they could do is find an existing law and give it a good old logical bend to apply to what I did done do there, then sort out the new law to prevent further people doing the same?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, the good side is I can, presumably as we’ve not discussed limitations, just portal myself away.

Sure, we could introduce things like a Power Dampening Collar. But how exactly do you get that on me in the first place? Spesh if my usual residence is some teeny, tiny Island in the middle of the ocean?

It wouldn’t need much more than a fairly basic shelter, as when I need food or water, I could just portal to get those, then portal back?

Man, think of all the petty revenge you could get with portals while still keeping a down-low profile. Neighbor's dog pooping on your lawn? Portal it onto their bedroom pillow. Apartment neighbors up all night gaming? Unplug their wifi router.

 Gert wrote:
I would like to be rich, that counts right?

Batman's super power of just being born really fething rich

Precognition.

Aside from being rich from knowing the winning lottery numbers and stock market trends ahead of time, you can also avoid a lot of trouble.

 LordofHats wrote:

 Gert wrote:
I would like to be rich, that counts right?

Batman's super power of just being born really fething rich

The super power of reincarnation manipulation, just reincarnate as a billionaire's first born