The Monkey's Paw

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Want to make a wish? Just ask the Monkey’s Paw! No strings attached.*

Just create a post that starts with “I wish ___”. Other users will then grant you the wish, and probably not how you intended.

^(*)^ ^Strings^ ^definitely^ ^attached.^ ^Satisfaction^ ^not^ ^guaranteed.^ ^Wish^ ^will^ ^likely^ ^backfire.^

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I wish for two of the best Belgian beers ever made. (infosec.pub)

submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

10 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Would really hit the spot right about now.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I love this because it backfires by giving me exactly what I wanted without any necessary modifications.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

I can't take credit for it.

It's the plot device from a Stanisław Lem story - one of the Pirx or Tichy stories, I don't recall - in which a character is told a story by a stranger in a bar about his awful opera-singer ex-wife; about getting a wish (from a djinni or something); and how he wishes for one night of a perfect performance for her. The listener is puzzled about why he'd use a wish on this until the story teller explains that thereafter, not only can she no longer perform as she's deeply unsatisfied with her subsequent singing, but everyone in the audience - including the jilted husband, who was in the audience - can no longer enjoy opera since it all now sounds horrible to them in comparison.

Great short story. I wish I could remember the name, but credit for the idea should be attributed to Lem.