Mind reading question

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Long story short, if you had the ability to read minds (or if you already do), would you/do you consider it to be a blessing because you know when someone's bs'ing you or more of an inconvenience because of all the lies that most people tell you straight to your face.

Both a gift and a curse.

I've worked as a store-front "psychic", so I know how to perform readings ("Perform" being the key word). It doesn't take but a few minutes to convince someone sitting across from me that his or her life is an open book to me. People used to visit the store on a daily basis, put down their money, and sit in rapt attention while I (or one of the other "psychics") ran the scam -- "For Entertainment Purposes Only", of course.

While no mind reading (or any other alleged "psychic" ability) was involved, it became apparent that some people were becoming dependent on me to make their decisions for them in the realms of business, family, finance, health, romance, and sex. It's scary to think that there are people out there who are both able and willing to con others into changing jobs, divorcing their spouses, giving away their money (to the "psychic"), buying herbal "cures" (from the "psychic"), and engaging in a romantic or sexual relationship (with the "psychic").

Now, imagine being able to completely understand people, to know how they feel inside; to know what they're thinking when they are silent; to know why they're angry, scared, or crying; to know what they really want; and to know how to make them truly happy.

Sure, there would be a kind of voyeuristic thrill from knowing their innermost secrets, and maybe you could help them realize their dreams as well. But what if you discover that the person who has been saying "I love you" for the past 50 years has been doing so just to have access to your money and property? What if you actually experience their worst trauma over and over again because they can't stop thinking about it? What if you discover that someone you admire from afar is actually a sociopathic serial killer? What if their personality is so overwhelming that you find yourself becoming just as evil and twisted as they are?

Sure having your mind "read" by a con artist for recreational purposes only may be fun, but if you had to endure other people's thoughts intruding upon your own 24/7, you would probably go insane.

If I had mind reading ability, it'd be pure gift.

I would always know who was lying, or even a threat to me/ mine.


If anyone else could, curse. I wouldn't want them to know secrets (including passwords etc) or true opinions I don't give.

Seems to depend on what the actual contents of peoples' minds are, which can't be known in general, even hypothetically... without reading their minds.

If I want to know what people are thinking, it’s wonderful.

If I don’t want to know what people are thinking, it’s bad.

[fiction]

Shield: All telepathically able characters learn how to create a mental shield which protects the mind against unwanted telepathic interference. Such a shield is automatically in force at all times and requires no strength point expenditure to maintain. Artificial psionic shields are clumsy helmet-like devices which function in much the same manner while worn. They weigh 1000 grams, offer little physical protection, and have a base price of Cr4000.