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You get one wish, but the genie always tries to curse it. What do you wish for? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml
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[–] 3 points 2 years ago (3 children)

because he’s just going to do whatever he wants regardless of what you wish for.

ding, ding ding and there in lies the inherent issue with genies. People only think they’re doing what you wish. Their goal is to creatively screw you over.

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  • [–] 15 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    I mean sure, but assuming that he doesn't have to abide by the wish in question in any way pretty much voids the point of this entire post right?

    At this point in the argument, on your logic, the post itself might as well be "Make a wish, it doesn't matter what. A malevolent genie is going to arbitrarily screw you"

    So then what's the point?

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  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    This is a fascinating world building question. Genies are supposed to be magical, extremely powerful beings, but they only become interesting when bound by rules - either set by the limitations of the world, or of their magic.

    A "fuck you I do what I want" genie isn't interesting because there's nothing to figure out in the context of the world the genie inhabits. And that world's context and structure ultimately dictates what makes sense to an audience, and what seems jarring or out of place.

    The way a genie fulfills wishes and how it tries to worm out of it can tell you much of the fictional world it inhabits!

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