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Believing You Are Very Good Or Evil Boosts Your Physical Capabilities

Research by Kurt Gray, a doctoral student in psychology at Harvard, shows that a person's capacity for willpower and physical endurance increases if they perceive themselves as good or evil. "Evil" acts in particular give a person a large boost in physical strength. From the article: “'People perceive those who do good and evil to have more efficacy, more willpower, and less sensitivity to discomfort,' Gray said. 'By perceiving themselves as good or evil, people embody these perceptions, actually becoming more capable of physical endurance.' Gray’s findings run counter to the notion that only those blessed with heightened willpower or self-control are capable of heroism, suggesting instead that simply attempting heroic deeds can confer personal power."

14 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. Midichlorian testing to come soon by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 3, Funny

    The force is strong in this one.

    1. Re:Midichlorian testing to come soon by Cicada7 · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Any significantly advanced technology..", yadda yadda, you all know the quote.

      To anyone living prior to the 1900's, television, the internet, cell phones.. they'd all be magic. You could certainly try to explain the technology away, but likely the explination would also be significantly advanced enough to be percieved as magic. Electron tunneling whoosawhatsits? I just wants my fancy movin' picture porn to come on over the tubes and light up my screen!

  2. Playing your alignment? by Pojut · · Score: 5, Funny

    What if you are Neutral Neutral...would you just collapse in a heap of jello?

    1. Re:Playing your alignment? by XanC · · Score: 2, Funny

      What makes a man turn neutral? Lust for gold? Power?

    2. Re:Playing your alignment? by Pojut · · Score: 2, Funny

      What makes a man turn neutral? Lust for gold? Power?

      Feh. A man doesn't lust; a man takes. ::fends off the feminists:: I'm just playing my character's alignment! Chauvinist/neutral.

    3. Re:Playing your alignment? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Your neutralness, it's a beige alert.

      If I don't survive, tell my wife I said, "hello."

    4. Re:Playing your alignment? by 0xdeadbeef · · Score: 2, Funny

      ::fends off the feminists::

      No, that won't make them touch you, either.

  3. In related news... by Kral_Blbec · · Score: 5, Funny

    science discovers adrenaline. Story at 5

  4. Oh, Great by StefanJ · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now the Olympics are going to look like a convention of superheroes and supervillains, with each athlete alignment-doping him or herself with more and more outrageous costumes, posturing, and pre-event monologues.

    "Sure, he hurled the discus five miles, but did he really have to soak it in the blood of five virgins and dedicate his performance to All-Mighty Set?"

    1. Re:Oh, Great by sorak · · Score: 5, Funny

      So the Olympics will turn into pro-wrestling?

    2. Re:Oh, Great by TheCarp · · Score: 2, Funny

      yes but without all the top notch acting and special effects.

      --
      "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
    3. Re:Oh, Great by mrheckman · · Score: 2, Funny

      How much evil can an Olympic athlete do before it is considered "doping"?

  5. Re:Old as dirt. by hedwards · · Score: 3, Funny

    That text is most wise, much of it though is common sense to those with a knowledge of combat. Personally, I prefer Zapp Brannigan's Big Book of War.

  6. Chaotic Neutral? by ctchristmas · · Score: 4, Funny

    So switching my lvl 7 dark elf warrior from chaotic neutral to evil gives a str bonus?