Pause [RAR!]

[Simon_Jester]

You still don't know how much they need that cash though.

I have a friend who is fairly well off and only pays for things with his debit card. He carries $20 tops at any given time. I make $200 a week and only go to the store after getting paid. If you looked in our wallets you might think I'm the one rolling in cash carrying that much around, but I need every penny.

You have a point. The one thing that sort of alleviates that is the fact that I would be doing it in my local grocery store where I more or less know the people shopping and can compensate for it. That and the fact that given the number of people and cost distribution we are talking perhaps an euro or two from everyone's wallet. I do not think even you would miss 1 euro.

So you're talking about robbing people you know to cover everything?

I think at this point the basic truism of successful criminals, "we don't shit where we eat," comes into play.

[Purple]

So you're talking about robbing people you know to cover everything?

I think at this point the basic truism of successful criminals, "we don't shit where we eat," comes into play.

That only counts if the crime is not impossible to prosecute. And besides, I am using "know" in the literal sense of the word. I know of them and who they are and stuff. I am not friends with them (or almost anyone).

[Zixinus]

The problem I see is that large changes in inventory are much easier to spot than small changes in everyone wallet. And I am far more likely to accidentally leave evidence by pilfering the racks than I am peoples pockets.

Dude, how much would you actually steal from a supermarket? Are you planning to feed an entire perish or something? You aren't just going to take that whole load-pellet worth of soda are you, even if it would be free? You'll take maybe 4 bottles at max and probably less if you want to carry more. Remember that while time is paused, you'll still have to manually haul all the damn stuff. You would only steal as much as your fridge can bear more or less, no?

Even if you steal an entire shopping cart full of stuff a month, you probably made only a tiny dent into the inventory. Especially if you are going to the biggest supermarket in the town. That much stuff is probably lost during transport, stupid costumers opening them, were stored until expiration date gone away, etc.

Of course, it may vary as three plasma TVs are going to be more missed than a box's worth of Snickers but how much space do you have for more Plasma TVs anyway?

[Simon_Jester]

So you're talking about robbing people you know to cover everything?

I think at this point the basic truism of successful criminals, "we don't shit where we eat," comes into play.

That only counts if the crime is not impossible to prosecute.

Or if people somehow figure out it's you doing it, by means you haven't thought of.

The reason for the "don't shit where you eat" rule is that, quite simply, crimes tend to have unintended consequences. If you commit the crime in the same area where you yourself live, those unintended consequences are happening right around you, and the risk that you will somehow be identified or even just suffer totally indirect consequences as a side-effect of your own actions increase.

While I strongly dislike the vein this 'Pause' thing has taken ("Now that I have this superpower, I'm going to use it FOR CRIME AND PERSONAL GAIN!"), I dislike your attitude about it even more.

[Purple]

Or if people somehow figure out it's you doing it, by means you haven't thought of.

They can figure out I did it all they want. I'd have security camera footage and witness testimony that proves I had nothing to do with it. So even if they "know" they can't prove a thing.

The reason for the "don't shit where you eat" rule is that, quite simply, crimes tend to have unintended consequences. If you commit the crime in the same area where you yourself live, those unintended consequences are happening right around you, and the risk that you will somehow be identified or even just suffer totally indirect consequences as a side-effect of your own actions increase.

As I said, why does it matter if they know I did it. Just as long as they can't prove that I did. And I'd make sure that they'd have an uphill battle in that respect.

While I strongly dislike the vein this 'Pause' thing has taken ("Now that I have this superpower, I'm going to use it FOR CRIME AND PERSONAL GAIN!")

It's a superpower. What did you expect we'd do with it? Help end world hunger or something?

I dislike your attitude about it even more.

Well excuse me for trying to be practical about it.

Dude, how much would you actually steal from a supermarket? Are you planning to feed an entire perish or something? You aren't just going to take that whole load-pellet worth of soda are you, even if it would be free? You'll take maybe 4 bottles at max and probably less if you want to carry more. Remember that while time is paused, you'll still have to manually haul all the damn stuff. You would only steal as much as your fridge can bear more or less, no?

Well I do not really drink soda. But I would probably end up stealing stuff like toilet paper and beer in bulk simply because I am too lazy of a person to go and rob the grocery store every single day.

Even if you steal an entire shopping cart full of stuff a month, you probably made only a tiny dent into the inventory. Especially if you are going to the biggest supermarket in the town. That much stuff is probably lost during transport, stupid costumers opening them, were stored until expiration date gone away, etc.

I newer thought of things this way. But yea, I could totally just not get noticed ever. Alright, scratch the steal money idea. I'd just steal from the inventory directly.

[Darth Tanner]

They can figure out I did it all they want. I'd have security camera footage and witness testimony that proves I had nothing to do with it. So even if they "know" they can't prove a thing.

Or they could beat you with a metal pipe. Or break that fancy watch of yours.

Remember that while time is paused, you'll still have to manually haul all the damn stuff.

The trolleys will still work if I'm the one pushing the though right? Or will the wheel refuse to turn?

Also, perhaps a less harmful means of using the pause to achieve financial results - gambling - you could pause during card games to change your own cards or look at every one else's hands or change the direction of the ball in roulette. Obviously you would have to be careful to finish nearly exactly where you started as CCTV will be watching you for any big wins.

Obviously this also has the moral impact that it is still fraud/theft and you will be stealing from either other gamblers or a casino which employs people but there is more room for flexibility in that you ending up with their money is at least a theoretical end result, your just forcing the probability in your favour.

[Zixinus]

Well I do not really drink soda. But I would probably end up stealing stuff like toilet paper and beer in bulk simply because I am too lazy of a person to go and rob the grocery store every single day.

You would still only twice or three times (if you are particularly greedy) as much as a normal bulk-buying customer. Again, unless you are trying to steal as much stuff as you'd need a forklift to carry (you'd take as much stuff as you can fit in your car), you are just pinching off the inventory's top. If you treat it as a normal shopping trip where you simply don't have to pay, you should be OK more or less. Unless you are trying to feed an entire perish or something.

[Purple]

Or they could beat you with a metal pipe. Or break that fancy watch of yours.

Pause time, murder them to death, set the scene up to look as if they did it to each other, unpause.
No mercy for anyone who threatens me.

Also, perhaps a less harmful means of using the pause to achieve financial results - gambling - you could pause during card games to change your own cards or look at every one else's hands or change the direction of the ball in roulette. Obviously you would have to be careful to finish nearly exactly where you started as CCTV will be watching you for any big wins.

I would not feel save relying on gambling. If for no reason than because it becomes far too suspicious fart too quickly if I keep wining.

Obviously this also has the moral impact that it is still fraud/theft and you will be stealing from either other gamblers or a casino which employs people but there is more room for flexibility in that you ending up with their money is at least a theoretical end result, your just forcing the probability in your favour.

Honestly I am not that desperate to eek out 1% more of moral correctness out of this one.

You would still only twice or three times (if you are particularly greedy) as much as a normal bulk-buying customer. Again, unless you are trying to steal as much stuff as you'd need a forklift to carry (you'd take as much stuff as you can fit in your car), you are just pinching off the inventory's top. If you treat it as a normal shopping trip where you simply don't have to pay, you should be OK more or less. Unless you are trying to feed an entire perish or something.

You make a compelling argument. I concede to it.

[FaxModem1]

So Purple, to sum up: stealing from drug dealers is bad, as you don't personally know them, and the consequences, no matter how remote, of them fighting each other over lost cash is an outcome to be avoided at all costs, but friends/neighbors/acquaintances who know you are open season to steal from, and if they catch on to you doing that, it's morally valid to murder them to cover your tracks?

[Purple]

So Purple, to sum up: stealing from drug dealers is bad, as you don't personally know them, and the consequences, no matter how remote, of them fighting each other over lost cash is an outcome to be avoided at all costs, but friends/neighbors/acquaintances who know you are open season to steal from, and if they catch on to you doing that, it's morally valid to murder them to cover your tracks?

I do not know what is going on with your head for you to have made that conclusion. The proper conclusion is:
- Stealing from drug dealers is bad because it has a high probability of causing a disproportionally violent and generally harmful response. And I reject anyone who says that they have it coming or are somehow less than human so them being murdered or worse is somehow not morally bad.
- Petty theft is a minor thing at worst and thus far preferable for reasons which to a person with a modicum of sanity are very obvious.
- If people catch on and than try to murder me with metal pipes I will defend my self. And I will have no mercy toward anyone who tries to freaking murder me.

[Me2005]

The trolleys will still work if I'm the one pushing the though right?

Yep. Anything mechanical will work - chemical, electrical, and other reactions won't. Carts, bikes, jacks, treadle-type and hand tools, etc. are going to work just fine. steam, combustion and electric motors/engines won't work, batteries won't transfer charge, fire won't light - but you can cause the conditions for those things to work when time resumes.

[Invictus ChiKen]

Yes I've been gone for sometime. Hello!

I like the idea of gambling, just one or two small trips then take your apparently legal gains and invest them in rental properties and good stock. You could do this a few times really just make sure to lose maybe a month or so between big winnings till you can afford the infinite batteries.

You could also with the atm guards pause, set up smoke bomb, unpause and detonate it once it's spread repause and restrain the guards and take the money it'll look like a very clever robbery attempt and no one got hurt. Then hide money and latter on call it in for a big reward there by justifying why your bank account is jumping up. You could only do this once however.

I'd actually use the batteries for crime fighting lots of anonymous tips for the locations of drug dealers and attempted murders suddenly being attacked and left restrained and no idea who is doing it.

Might even do a trip to Korea and pause and start destroying the DPRKs electric fences and mind fields. I'd have the time to study Korean and help refugees escape. After all by then infinite batteries and can pause and stop any DPRK troops that might come for us.

[biostem]

You could use this technique to easily win at, say, roulette - just as the wheel is about to stop, you place the ball on your spot. I don't know if this is feasible, but do they allow people to attend the lotto drawings? You could place the balls in the chute/catch area that match your ticket.

Since the pause feature doesn't tax you if you don't really travel anywhere, (up to a max of 7 days of time-in-pause), you could be super productive by pausing when you go to sleep, get a nice restful sleep, then just unpause once you're rested, having lost zero real time.

You could basically get any piece of merchandise you wanted as well - just drive up to a store, (make sure it has manual doors), pause, walk in, take what you want, then walk back out to your car, unload the items into the trunk, (make sure to pop it open before you pause), then drive away with the store none the wiser.

Another potential use would be in critical surgery or lifesaving - you could pause time, and do things to remove people from harm or, (if you had the know how), do things like stitch up a vital wound before someone could bleed out.

One question - do you retain your momentum/inertia once you resume time, and what happens if you pause time while in midair? Like, if I jumped off a bridge and paused before I hit the ground, could I move myself or would I continue falling? Even if I continued to fall, (and if I'm understanding correctly), I'd be perfectly safe when I hit the ground.

What would happen if I was in a speeding car that was about to crash, paused time, then exited the car? Would I still be moving at the car's speed when I unpaused?

[Borgholio]

You could use this technique to easily win at, say, roulette

Casinos are so heavily monitored and guarded it's not even funny. There will be several cameras on the game tables at any given time...so you wouldn't want to mess with that. You'd be better off robbing the armored car that arrives to pick up the cash for deposit.

[Mr Bean]

You could use this technique to easily win at, say, roulette

Casinos are so heavily monitored and guarded it's not even funny. There will be several cameras on the game tables at any given time...so you wouldn't want to mess with that. You'd be better off robbing the armored car that arrives to pick up the cash for deposit.

But this method could be used to stack the deck in card games. Since you have all the time you need to pop the shoe, move a card forward that you need in say blackjack, close it back up and win a hand.

[LaCroix]

You could use this technique to easily win at, say, roulette

Casinos are so heavily monitored and guarded it's not even funny. There will be several cameras on the game tables at any given time...so you wouldn't want to mess with that. You'd be better off robbing the armored car that arrives to pick up the cash for deposit.

But this method could be used to stack the deck in card games. Since you have all the time you need to pop the shoe, move a card forward that you need in say blackjack, close it back up and win a hand.

And there will be a video feed of you constantly flickering around, having sudden changes in hand and body position, always right after you touched your watch...

[Simon_Jester]

Roulette in particular is tricky because camera footage will show the ball suddenly teleporting from wherever it was at the moment you froze time, into the 'right' spot.

Also, if you know you'll be on camera, take care to return to your original position (and be touching your watch) when you unpause time; self-discipline will make your flickering less conspicuous.

Also, if you go this route... I'd say, don't make the mistake of winning every time. Casinos are accustomed to people getting lucky and winning a considerable (though not unlimited) amount of money in a statistical fluke. But there are, as I said, limits.

[Terralthra]

If the pause button is reloadable, I'd use it to sleep. I'm not interacting with the universe anyway, might as well pause the fucker.

[Starglider]

The existence of this device seems to imply FTL travel (which implies time travel) as well as direct manipulation of time and even matter in ways formerly though to be impossible. I would make as many detailed videos of experiments using the device as possible (so that there is some record in case the device is stolen/destroyed), then do some very noticeable things in public that would be impossible to fake (and video those as well from my viewpoint), then post them all on the Internet. Then, I would give the device to the most credible, impartial and secure seeming research group. Anything else would frankly be a criminal waste of potential; most of the suggestions in this thread are quite depressingly petty and selfish.

If everyone on SDN gets one, then the issue is less pressing, because then plenty of research groups will be able to get a device. However the existence of the devices will quickly be widespread knowledge and all kinds of government and criminal groups will be trying to acquire them at all costs. In that case I would just hide mine and then sell it as soon as a reasonable offer comes in, and hope that the people who come looking for it later believe me when I say that I no longer have mine. The alternative would be living a fugitive lifestyle, which is (a) impractical and (b) leaves people you care about open to kidnapping/torture to try and force you to give up your device.

[Purple]

Or we could turn the tables. There is after all a list of all users that frequent this site. All I'd have to do is use the device to steal enough money to go around and ambush each and every one, kill them and steal their devices. Than I'd be the only one that has one. And I'd have enough for my whole family and a lot to spare.

[Simon_Jester]

...That's incredibly stupid, also borderline trolling and threatening.

[Purple]

...That's incredibly stupid, also borderline trolling and threatening.

Stupid maybe. But considering that we all have just been handed superpowers I think it's safe to assume at least one of us would come up with that idea.

[Terralthra]

Sanctity of human life!

2 pages of thread later

Well, I could just kill everyone on the forum.

[Purple]

Sanctity of human life!

2 pages of thread later

Well, I could just kill everyone on the forum.

Two pages? You can't seriously expect me to have such a long attention span.

[Terralthra]

I can seriously expect you to have deeply-held principles that last longer than a week, yeah.