Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it

[penandpaper]

Is this true?

I'm working on a story in which the MC is endowed with unbelievable power. Is there a chance he would use it altruistically? He had lived forty years as a normal human being with a wife and now, just recently, two sons. A few deep emotional scars, but none as great as many of us carry around.

I would really like to know why you would consider it not possible or possible. Thanks.

 

[The_Fool]

Not if it is going to be posted on Lit. Said character must take sexual advantage of as many bystanders as possible.

 

[penandpaper]

Not if it is going to be posted on Lit. Said character must take sexual advantage of as many bystanders as possible.

Sorry, should have prefaced that this is not an erotic story. My erotic story for the summer is nearing completion. I'm trying to give it a happy ending, but it's just not working out.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

I would like to give you a considered answer, so if I knew a bit more about this power your character has, it would help. But, in general, I would say that unlimited power definitely corrupts and makes people take horrible advantage of others.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

.
.
.
.
.

 

[penandpaper]

I would like to give you a considered answer, so if I knew a bit more about this power your character has, it would help. But, in general, I would say that unlimited power definitely corrupts and makes people take horrible advantage of others.

He has the power to not get harmed, by anything (that he knows of). He has the ability to instantly discern truth from lie. And laslty, he has the power to blink and send a person into, what can only be described as hell. He is going to slowly make his way across the country to Washington DC. He is going to become popular, a beloved hero to much of the general public for the violent crime he deters. Washington DC is petrified. He is their last stop.

Hope that helps.

 

[rgraham666]

Yeah, he'll become a monster. No doubt about that in my mind.

I'm thinking he'll send Congress, much of the civil service including the Pentagon and the FBI as well as most of the White House to 'Hell'. Which will open the floodgates. Such a power vacuum will demand to be filled and the people who rush to fill it won't be nice about how they get and hold that power. I'll bet he'll feel wonderful about devolving the country into chaos.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

 

[kendo1]

Good to see you, Rob.

 

[JackLuis]

He has the power to not get harmed, by anything (that he knows of). He has the ability to instantly discern truth from lie. And laslty, he has the power to blink and send a person into, what can only be described as hell. He is going to slowly make his way across the country to Washington DC. He is going to become popular, a beloved hero to much of the general public for the violent crime he deters. Washington DC is petrified. He is their last stop.

Hope that helps.

By the time he gets to DC he is starting to believe his own press, and believes that he does know best what is good for America.
Congress calls a recess and leaves town, The Pres, has a pressing matter in Madagascar and is out of town, leaving Joe to welcome the MC.

 

[TE999]

Good and evil would war in his mind. Righting a wrong could harm someone and doing nothing would do harm. He'd be viewed as the Messiah or the Anti-Christ. A blessing or a curse on humanity. If he's of average intelligence, he could be manipulated...again to do good or to subjugate mankind.

IMO this inner conflict, Ego and Id, would be the crux of the plot.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

I think TE999 is right. This character could use his power to do ultimate good or evil, but given the fact that this person (if typical of most individuals with power) would undoubtedly want to control and dominate others, he would be corrupt.

 

[penandpaper]

Good and evil would war in his mind. Righting a wrong could harm someone and doing nothing would do harm. He'd be viewed as the Messiah or the Anti-Christ. A blessing or a curse on humanity. If he's of average intelligence, he could be manipulated...again to do good or to subjugate mankind.

IMO this inner conflict, Ego and Id, would be the crux of the plot.

That is exactly what is in my outline. There are a few static characters and a way for him to be harmed which the government is working on solving, but what you mention above is 15 pages of a 21 page outline.

I'm wondering if you think it would be possible for him not to become the Messiah or Anti-Christ? (Which, clever you, is exactly how people are referring to him in the story. )

 

[Recidiva]

Power is exerted by will and choice. Have good will, make good choices, power is increased. Have weak will, make poor choices, power is diminished.

Most important part of being powerful is knowing when NOT to use it.

It may have a tendency to corrupt, but there are people who are capable of weilding power without it weilding them.

Someone already with a decent dose of compassion will do good things with it. I don't think corruption is an absolute necessity in all cases. It's likely and it's apt, but it's not a sure thing always.

 

[xssve]

It's a good life.

 

[Weird Harold]

He has the power to not get harmed, by anything (that he knows of). He has the ability to instantly discern truth from lie. And lastly, he has the power to blink and send a person into, what can only be described as hell.

I think your character is too powerful to be a good hero and almost too powerful to be a good villain.

"When all you have is a Hammer, all your problems look like nails" -- your hero is going to resort to using his powers more and more often with less justification; or under-use his powers for fear of using them capriciously with tragic results (a la spiderman's "great guilt") and be forced to over-react when he does use them. His intent in doing so may not be corrupt, but the results will appear so to most people.

 

[penandpaper]

I think your character is too powerful to be a good hero and almost too powerful to be a good villain.

"When all you have is a Hammer, all your problems look like nails" -- your hero is going to resort to using his powers more and more often with less justification; or under-use his powers for fear of using them capriciously with tragic results (a la spiderman's "great guilt") and be forced to over-react when he does use them. His intent in doing so may not be corrupt, but the results will appear so to most people.

Weird Harold,

I really like that last line. It says something about the public that views him; how they may choose to not view his motive, but rather his results. Thanks.

 

[Handley_Page]

Unless, of course, the hero is a cross between Superman, Captain America and Green Lantern, in which case he's Impossible.

 

[Verdad]

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

A wonderful saying. There's a thread nearby sorely in need of it.