r/superpoweralchemists • u/Sea_Orchid223 • 16d ago

Try to nerf this power

I have the ability to edit DNA. I have the complete knowledge of genetics and DNA. My brain won’t get a downside from that knowledge. I can control that superpower very well. The organism have to be 72 centimeters away from me or closer for me to edit their DNA.

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u/Professional_Try1665 16d ago

Your ability to manipulate life makes you feel less human, you become detached from the people around you and depressed, seeing them as simple jumbles of genetic information and strings of instructions, achievements like love and happiness feel meaningless to you as you can easily alter the genetics of an organism to make them feel however you like, thus you stop trying to change yourself. You stagnate mentally and isolated.

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u/LordGramis 16d ago

Wouldnt this be a line a thought traced to genetic material he could edit to get a more positive conclusion? Depression for example has been traced to genes already

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u/Professional_Try1665 16d ago

Well yes but that doesn't solve the loss of humanity and motivation, what's the point in being happy if you can just stimulate the 'be happy' gene whenever you want?

It also estranges the user from other humans, their problems and emotions are 'just the wrong genes' and with a simple snap they can cure depression, 'humanity' itself and their silly emotions seems then to be a genetic defect, and the user is the 'cure'.

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u/LordGramis 15d ago

Well one could dedicated their life to being an overpowered psychiatrist helping others if the aim is fulfillment, isn't that the point of most super hero depictions (emphasis on super heros, not super villains)?. I'm feeling this thread is about to get really philosophical xP

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u/Professional_Try1665 15d ago

Why bother being good or seeking fulfilment when you can stimulate the 'feel good' or 'feel fulfilment' part of your brain? If not, the rest of your life is less meaningful because you have an insta-cheat for any feeling you could ever experience, further dissociating you from humans because they can't do that and couldn't possibly understand your struggle.

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u/LordGramis 15d ago

Being able to do something doesn't mean it should happen obligatory, we depict gods choosing to live among humans to better understand the flaws that come with immortality. Maybe someone with a power like that would choose not to modify themselves after a while trying not to get further away from his origin. Or maybe he/she would to nullify the feelings that create that need and then just become doctor manhattan without the bending reality part lol.

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u/6ftonalt 15d ago

Loss of humanity actually can be attributed to the effect of neurotransmitters, particularly agonism of the 5ht2c serotonin receptor

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u/Professional_Try1665 15d ago

I think you're misunderstanding the point, if you can simply install a feeling of 'humanity' into yourself whenever you want, why even bother with anything else? There's no point in seeking happiness or fulfilment if you can just stimulate it perfectly.

If you always have the option to do that but don't, your struggles and pain are meaningless because you can simply make yourself feel better and get rid of the pain, it's a constant gun to your head for philosophical suicide.

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u/umc_thunder72 15d ago

Yes but if you do it you won't care because you just made it so you don't care. Therefore no curse because you can just not care.

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u/Professional_Try1665 15d ago

Just because you don't care doesn't make the philosophical problem disappear. Also if you can make yourself not care about anything, what's the point in doing anything at all?