• Question: Would it ever be possible to evolve and gain telekinesis?

    Asked by butters to Amy, Drew, Julia, Kimberley, Sara on 16 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Drew Rae

      Drew Rae answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Butters – I think the theme for the day should be “science of the X-Men!”. To do telekinesis we would need some sort of force to do the moving of objects. The obvious candidate is a magnetic field, but that would only work on metal, and you can’t focus a magnetic field coming out from a single place like your body. Any of the physical forces requires transmitting actual movement. You could do it with a focussed shock wave through the air – it wouldn’t be good for much except pushing or breaking things, but it might be possible. Overall, I think thats a resounding “No!” on the physically possible side.

      How about the evolution side. You would need it to be a survival advantage. Based on the X-Men, even positive mutations might be likely to get you killed before you could reproduce.

    • Photo: Julia Griffen

      Julia Griffen answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Butters: Light sabers… mutants and telekinsis… you sure have watched Xmen!

      Sensible answer no.
      Me dreaming: maybe one day somehow.

    • Photo: Kimberley Bryon

      Kimberley Bryon answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      I think that on our own I imagine probably not.

      Have you seen this though:

      http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/star-wars-brain-training-game.html

      It allows you to move things with your mind by using a headset that interprets your brain waves. Pretty cool, heh?

    • Photo: Amy MacQueen

      Amy MacQueen answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      So I guess the answers probably not 🙁 although would you really want to be able to? I think I might like the Raven power of morphing…although I’d probably use it more for hiding from danger than saving the world. Guess I’m not a superhero! By the way does Captain America have anything better than the fact he’s buff and has a wee shield? I still quite like him but my friend thinks he’s rubbish because he doesn’t have any real powers. You got an opinion?? Laters, 🙂

    • Photo: Sara Imari Walker

      Sara Imari Walker answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hey butters! This is a really cool question. Really gets me thinking about both evolution and what is physically possibly. Drew has done a really nice job focusing on what is physically possible. Love the X-men analogies! That is fantastic. By his description, it sure doesn’t seem like telekinesis would be an easy super power to obtain!! My question is not just whether it is possible but is it probable? I think Drew touched on this nicely as well – what would be the purpose of evolving telekinesis?? Doesn’t seem like it would lead to enhanced survival for any particular reason. I think other “supernatural” abilities like telepathy or super strength or even something like aquaman’s powers are much more realistic. Both from the perspective of physics and evolution.

Comments

  • Photo: butters

    butters commented on :

    My thinking was that do we/can we know the true limitations of the mind? Could it not be possible that through pure focusing or evolution that we might be at the point of controlling every aspect of our being? Say one day being able to sprout new limbs of some kind without a moments hesitation like being able to control the function of our cells through thought?