r/hypotheticalsituation • u/Name019op • 5d ago
$5 million dollars or an OP superpower?
A powerful genie pops up and he lets you choose between two gifts
$5 million dollars tax free
OR
Be able to breathe underwater for indefinite periods of time, if you choose this option you'll continue to be able to breathe normally in-land, the difference is that now you'll be able to breathe both underwater and in-land through your nose as your internal anatomy will be adapted to handle underwater environments, you'll also be able to see crystal clear in the water and swim at fish speeds underwater, will be granted the ability to drink salt water and make it count fresh water too and feast on raw seafood with your new body and digest it like normal food
Which one do you pick?
87
u/_Cyber_Mage 5d ago
Option 1. With option 2, I'd be eaten by a giant squid or something.
56
u/ABrownGlassBottle 5d ago
Carry a trident
10
u/No_Offer4269 5d ago
I see where this is going.
7
3
u/A_Bulky_boi 5d ago
A swordfish can swim at 60mph. If you are at least that fast you can pretty guarantee no sea animal can catch you.
7
u/_Cyber_Mage 5d ago
Great, I'll swim into a box jellyfish so fast I'll never see it before it kills me.
61
u/skimone 5d ago
The amount of treasure I am finding will be way more than $5m and when waterworld happens, I’ll be flying around on my catamaran fighting off smokers. I’ll take the gills please.
40
u/ThisEldritchGuy 5d ago
This new body isn't stated to be able to handle high pressure, so I'll take the cash
14
8
u/AstralHippies 5d ago
>internal anatomy will be adapted to handle underwater environments,
High pressure is underwater environment tho?
7
u/FlamesofFrost 5d ago
I mean you're body isn't filled with air anymore since you now breathe water, so maybe it is?
5
u/skimone 5d ago
Very true but I am still getting some booty when I got my gills.
16
u/Spare-Locksmith-2162 5d ago
Yeah, but you'll probably only be able to hook up with women that want to shove their fingers painfully into your gills.
9
u/Annihilator4413 5d ago
You ARE stated to be able to see through the water crystal clear, so you could actually locate shipwrecks with ease. The wording implies you'll have zero hindrance to your vision underwater, meaning you could see miles around you. We could also go ahead and assume you'll be immune to deep pressures and be fast enough to outswim most predators.
Even if a Waterworld situation DOESN'T happen, imagine sailing around the world with your head underwater just finding hundreds or even THOUSANDS of ship and aircraft wrecks. You could make a fortune off selling the locations of the wrecks alone, nevermind the amount you will earn off of salvage rights!
Hell, find ONE pirate ship full of treasure and you'll be far richer than the $5 million.
12
u/First-Lengthiness-16 5d ago
Radar exists. We already have a better way of locating shipwrecks than some guy looking
15
1
u/Orallover1960 4d ago
Just not true. It's good in theory but underwater radar yields a lot of false positives. Shapes are seen but still need visual confirmation. Otherwise there would be no such thing as a lost shipwreck, while in truth there are hundreds if not thousands of them
1
u/raul_lebeau 5d ago
I could ask 5 millions just from omega and rolex to test their Deep water watch.
2
1
2
u/Speed_Alarming 5d ago
If you don’t need to breathe air, the pressure problems mostly disappear. Up to a point, if your lungs are full of fluid then you’re basically the same pressure as your surroundings.
1
u/LeviPyro 5d ago
“Your internal anatomy is adapted to handle underwater environments” seems pretty clear
47
u/DimesyEvans92 5d ago
I’m taking the cash. The super power is tempting, but I’m way too buoyant to be able to dive far enough to find treasure
10
u/qozh 5d ago
I wonder if option 2 would cure my thalassophobia
19
u/eldonfizzcrank 5d ago
“Hey! Heard you got like Aquaman powers. What’s it like at the bottom of the ocean?” ”Dunno. Deep water is too scary.” 100% me
16
u/Ok_Reflection_2711 5d ago
What about extreme pressure? Can I walk around on the bottom of the Atlantic without dying?
26
u/Name019op 5d ago
Yes your body will be adapted to handle underwater environmemts, which also involves dealing with extreme pressure
19
u/Terrible-D 5d ago
I'm taking the powers then. If my body can survive deep sea pressures, that would equate to some extreme durability and strength.
2
u/OrthogonalPotato 4d ago
You don’t know that at all. Some creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean are essentially sponges.
15
26
u/DoucheCanoe456 5d ago
For everyone taking the 5M, if you think Earth’s first superhero can’t make 5M dollars you’re TWEAKING
9
6
6
u/shitposterkatakuri 5d ago
If I can handle any pressure comfortably and swim as fast as any fish, the power seems better. Isn’t there tons of treasure that’s hard to get to for normal people? I could also be an Olympian easily if I could swim as fast as a sailfish and make tons of money thru brand deals
→ More replies (4)
6
u/ReactionAble7945 5d ago
There was a time when I would have gone for the super power. I would have moved to the ocean and ....
Heck, get a job as an underwater welder, recover stuff......
.
But now... Give me the 5 mil
12
u/LilyWineAuntofDemons 5d ago
Option 2.
With option 2, as long as you are near a body of water with fish in it, you never have to worry about food and water again.
You don't specify which fish the swim speed is based off of, and a sailfish can top out at like, 70mph. A single yellowtail tuna can weigh up to 400lbs, can feed a family of 4 for a couple of weeks, or could be sold for decent money.
Plus, from what you've said in other comments, you could make a decent living as a salvager.
The ability to basically have free reign of the ocean on a planet where ¾ of the surface is ocean is just too good.
14
u/dwaynewaynerooney 5d ago
Am I the only one who thought about dominating endurance swimming as an easy enough way to make some money and never have to worry about drowning (ever)?
3
u/BabuBhattDreamCafe 5d ago
Why would you pick endurance swimming when you could just smash all of Michael Phelps’ Olympic achievements in three years?
4
1
u/yaboisammie 4d ago
As someone who sucks at swimming/floating and loves the water but is also a little terrified of drowning (even in pools), this also occurred to me lmao
6
5d ago
[deleted]
1
u/LilyWineAuntofDemons 5d ago
Nah, being a mermaid is all for me. I'm not married, and have no kids. I just brought up feeding a family of four as a way of saying "you'll always have food."
If I got these fishy powers, I'd just be a beach bum.
2
6
u/ManliestBunny 5d ago
just take the superpower and join the Olympics in swimming. You'll easily have more than 5 mil.
3
u/ABrownGlassBottle 5d ago
I've always wanted to explore the Aegean sea and find ancient Greek ships
4
u/Mykkus_65 5d ago
5m is fuck you money. Sign me up.
1
u/NubDestroyer 5d ago
5m is not fuck you money anymore, that's invest it and retire money
3
u/AgsAreUs 5d ago
That's literally the definition of "fuck you money".
1
u/keithrc 4d ago
No, the definition of fuck you money is, "I can tell anybody I want, 'fuck you.'" I don't think 5m buys that anymore.
2
u/AgsAreUs 4d ago
Per our A.I. overlords:
'"Fuck you money" is the amount of financial wealth required to confidently leave a job or change your life circumstances without facing negative repercussions.'
If you can't walk away from a job with 5 million in the bank/investments, you've got problems.
1
u/ardorlikemordor 5d ago
"$5 million is a nightmare. You can't retire. Not worth it to work. It will drive you un poco loco"
-5
u/Ohheyimryan 5d ago
It's a safe $200k a year withdrawal per year. Hardly f you money.
4
u/Mykkus_65 5d ago
House paid off, 200k take home is huge. Thats don’t have do work and let the interest accrue on the rest. Sounds like fuck you money to me
-2
u/Ohheyimryan 5d ago
If you think upper middle class life style is fuck you money then sure. You're definitely not rich buying yachts and staying at 5 star hotels, flying first class everywhere.
It sounds like you money to you is living a comfortable lifestyle and that's about it.
3
u/Mykkus_65 5d ago
It’s freedom enough to Not have to work a job I don’t want to, all necessities are covered, sounds pretty freeing to me. I don’t need or want yachts and mansions and that material BS. I want the freedom to not do anything I don’t want to do, know my overhead and necessities are covered for life if i don’t touch the base and aren’t foolish about expenditures.
Sounds like fuck you money to me. All the other shit is gravy,
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Wendals87 5d ago
Does that also include being able to survive deep sea pressure?
1
u/Name019op 5d ago
Yes
4
u/Wendals87 5d ago
I'd take that then. Being able to survive those depths would be awesome.
Normal Deep sea divers can earn quite a lot of money as a salary. People would pay lots of money for work that isn't possible now
2
u/Puzzleheaded_Pipe979 5d ago
Money.
There's nothing in the ocean for me.
Now if I could move throughout the internet at will without being detected, we might be cooking with some gas.
2
u/LegitimateHost5068 5d ago
What about the pressure of the water? Do I get increased durability to withstand pressure beyond 40m deep?
2
u/Sputniki 5d ago
OP superpower. I’d find lots of ways to monetize it. Would be worth a lot more than $5 million.
Taylor Swift earns $10 million per concert, I think I could easily make much more than $5 million in my lifetime if I create a show to showcase a superpower which literally nobody in history has ever had.
2
u/Ohheyimryan 5d ago
I'm taking #2 for sure. Money becomes pointless at a certain point. I already have a career so super powers sounds much more life changing.
2
u/CSCyrilatom 5d ago
When we mean crystal clear, we mean like if somehow we just removed the water of the ocean and lit it up? My ass got thalassophobia and could NOT handle even a bit of foggy water imagery. Also do we get super strength too like Aquaman or no?
2
u/BloodRush12345 5d ago
Honestly I would take option 2. I can become a rescue swimmer, combat diver, treasure hunter, Olympic swimmer. It would be way more satisfying than 5 mil. And likely more profitable.
2
2
2
u/Radiant_Assistance65 5d ago
Option2
Become athlete, win prize money.
Hold world record in water related activities.
Work as a mermaid (yes that’s real job).
Could make much more than 5m. And I don’t even have to court death in open water.
2
u/RipIForgot 5d ago
The powers. Not being able to drown would very much help my anxiety. With money I guess I could get better therapy but I also really love swimming
2
1
u/artearth 5d ago
I would have a question about handling crushing depths, extreme cold, and dealing with the bends, but probably even without those perks I choose the power. And yeah, I could use it to make a lot of money, but mostly it would just be super fun.
1
1
u/AJHenderson 5d ago
Does it also allow you to deal with pressure at depth? If you can effectively go anywhere in the ocean this will allow you to make far, far more than 5 million as you become an incredibly powerful exploration and recovery asset.
1
1
1
u/MizzelSc2 5d ago
Underwater breathing feels underwhelming, so i'll be going with the more practical 5 mil. I'm sure there are a ton of applications that underwater breathing would be useful for. But, the idea of alleviating most of my immediate problems in one go is too strong.
1
u/PhantomTissue 5d ago
Depends entirely on whether or not I’m immune to pressure changes that come from diving too deep. Like sure, I can breathe underwater but I can’t go more than like, 50m? Nahh.
1
1
u/Featherforged 5d ago
Underwater superpower is easy money.
Win the olympics swimming, gold in every race.
Create a following of exploring underwater sea wrecks.
Boom, easy 20 mill plus superpower
1
u/Sputniki 5d ago
That is far too much work lol.
I’d just create a spectacle show where I charge people concert ticket prices to watch a one of a kind superpower. Taylor Swift makes $10 million per concert, I’d easily make much more than $5 million in my lifetime I reckon.
2
u/Featherforged 5d ago
Too much work? The olympics is 16 days long. Just pop in and win every single event. Shit, win like 5 events, whatever floats your boat. Boom, instant money and fame.
Then, you do some commercials for random protein powders, supplements, drinks, redbull, and you'd be up 10 mill in a year.
→ More replies (2)
1
1
1
u/GeekyPassion 5d ago
Breath underwater. I'd love it and im sure i could find a way to make money off it
2
u/StainableMilk4 5d ago
Diving for treasure? I'm sure there's plenty of stuff to find, even if you can't go too far down.
Edit: Set up boat moorings. Usually you have to hire a scuba diver to do it, but you would have a much easier time. I'm not sure of the specifics, but people make a career out of it so why not.
1
u/Boring_Kiwi_6446 5d ago
I may have gone for option 2 when younger but not now. I was damaged in a road accident and can’t swim anymore. So give me the cash please.
1
u/TheRamblingPeacock 5d ago
$5.
I ain't becoming shark bait.
Also I assume I could still get hypothermia and can only see with human vision, which makes the cooler parts of the ocean off limits anyway.
1
1
u/mrdonovan3737 5d ago
Take the super power, do youtube cave diving videos.
Heck, just partnering with some of the youtubers like mrballen that do cave dive stories to be like "I can get you footage of that actual cave where this happened" you'd probably be able to monetize out a solid living.
1
u/GlimmeringGuise 5d ago
The power does nothing to protect you from sharks, etc., so I'd just take the money.
1
u/Neither-Maximum-5609 5d ago
I'm taking the $5 mil. Walst the powers could be okay I live in the interior of the country far away from saltwater and the powers are not necessary for swimming in a pool. Also genies enjoy messing with people so a few ways they might twist the powers: first it says nothing about upping your resistance to pressure so going deep is dangerous, and it doesn't say what kind of fish you can swim as fast as so it could be a barracuda or you might get the speed of a jellyfish.
1
u/Tough-Yoghurt-1919 5d ago
One.....I used to like water bilit i prefer keeping it to baths.....and you can buy a lot or tub stuff for 5 mil....get you 110 percent clean..
1
u/icecrystalmaniac 5d ago
You have no idea how strong my desire to wade into the clear crystal clear winter ocean is. And honestly I could probably make bank with that superpower, I already know how to weld. And I think I’d rather spend some amount of time working for my money even if the majority of my time is spent in leisure. I feel like people overestimate how dangerous the creatures of the ocean are. It’s the cold, exhaustion and sometimes bacteria that’ll get you 99% of the time (ok I pulled that number out of my ass but every one I’ve known of who died from the sea or lakes was due to one of the first two. Oh yeah also getting lost under ice, know of one guy that happed to as well, don’t fuck with ice unless you know what you’re doing kids.), ironically people tend to underestimate those parts, especially the cold, to their detriment.
1
1
1
u/Individual-Series343 5d ago
Rabies are now in the sea, and they're faster than me in the sea.
5M$ and I'll only go in the ocean once in a while.
Potentially I can salvage treasures from ships but nah.
1
u/PastryPyff 5d ago
I’ll take the money, cuz that power is very specific and has no value to my future prospects or inclinations. Someone else may use it well, but it’s not for me.
1
1
u/123jamesng 5d ago
Dont need the money.
Superpower, I can make an insta/tiktok doing incredible things. Get sponsored by red bull. Build fame and fortune will come. More than 5 mil eventually.
1
1
1
1
u/Low_Artichoke_6889 5d ago
Since there is no mention of immunity to water pressure, I Gladly take the 5 million. Otherwise it is not OP but rather meh.
1
1
u/ImyForgotName 5d ago
If you throw in resistance to high pressure environments I may rethink, but I'm taking the money.
1
1
u/ewsalvesen 5d ago
2 for the treasure hunting aspect. There’s some expensive stuff down there. How would I take pressure? What depth could I swim to?
1
u/Commercial_Education 5d ago
Unless I'm getting g super strength or something of that nature this is just a mainly needed aquaman. Gove me the cash.
1
1
u/blobfish_bandit 5d ago
If you made me immune to wildlife of the ocean somehow, sure. But there's too much risk to even use my power for anything.
So I'll just retire with the 5mil.
1
u/Kange109 5d ago
Well, I think getting double the gold medals of Phelps at the Olympics and smashing records for all swimming and diving events might net one more than 5m.
Havnt even touched the salt water bits yet.
1
u/GenuineSteak 5d ago
if it also makes your body able to handle the water/pressure, then sure. I could be a content creator and make more money then 5m.
1
u/EfficientAd9765 5d ago
If I can survive the enviorment underwater, does that include underwater pressure? And would I keep that resillience on land? Because if yes that would make you nearly invincible and would be the obvious option
If not, just give me the money
1
1
1
1
u/LeviPyro 5d ago
I’d literally be a superhero. Olympic world champion swimmer in ALL categories, so I’d outclass Phelps and anyone else like it’s nobody’s business. I can figure the money out somehow. Super fish power cannot be passed up so easily.
1
u/NotMarshalFestus 5d ago
If there was any superpower I could ever have, my choice has always been Aquaman. I'm not kidding. You'd be the only person on a planet that's mostly water that can go anywhere in the sea. What's at the bottom of the Mariana Trench? I'll go check it out. Underwater archeology, treasure, being able to explore anywhere underwater without the need for some sub that may implode, all of this sounds awesome!
1
u/whatanerdiam 5d ago
If the superpower was better, I'd pick that. Why would I want to breathe underwater though? If it was something useful, sure ..
1
u/Fancy_Second4864 5d ago
I'm going with the fish powers. I'd go to the Titanic and search each room for gold or jewelry probably net $20M+. Wear some chainmail and maybe a katana/ spear gun. Then start a underwater construction company would make a couple million a year easily. Lay oil pipes or fiberoptic cables.
1
u/Identity_Unaware 5d ago
Question? Can I overcome pressure differences at depth?
If so, I'd take the superpower because there are more than $5mil worth of treasures scattered along the ocean floors.
Imagine being able to walk up the Titanic and finding some weird Xbox controller there! Lol
1
u/Frequent_Brick4608 5d ago
I take the cash.
Even if this gave me the ability to survive the pressure of the depths and see in the total darkness I wouldn't make much money from wreck diving, salvage rights are a thing. So you can't just go to some random wreck and take valuables. Someone else owns the salvage rights of that ship and can and will take you to court.
If it's the full Aquaman package then I'm down. But as it stands a curious squid is gonna fuck me up.
1
u/WrongdoerMaster9522 5d ago
I will take option 2. And win all Olympic and major tournaments in swimming and become brand ambassador of major brands and make more money than $5m
1
u/WindBehindTheStars 5d ago edited 5d ago
Sadistic genie gives you the power, but then slaps you with a $4.8 million bill. Conversely gives you the money, then drops you off in the middle of Lake Superior.
1
1
u/TechnEconomics 5d ago
Imagine getting sick with a completely unique internal anatomy. Death would be swift.
$5m please.
1
1
u/Asleep_Throat_4323 5d ago
Give me the money, I would love the super power, but it just wont impact me as much as the money, for one I will still limited in my ability to explore the sea by animals that can eat me xD
1
u/SouthTippBass 5d ago
That super power is a bit rubbish. Il take the money.
If I can pick my own power, il take Wolverines healing power and abnormally long life. No need to be immortal, just a super long life with no health issue.
1
u/Independent_Bite4682 5d ago
What about the crushing depths? Could my body withstand the crushing depths?
Like, wear armor, walk along the ocean floor, using a spear gun to hunt for food and other stuff
1
1
u/Notforhuman777 5d ago
I take the superpower, I make a little noise with 2-3 exploits then I sell the harvesting of my cells for billions to the pharmaceutical lobby
1
1
u/bactiarry86 5d ago
I would choose the 5 million cause it will still be cold underneath the water. Plus I'm not sure how exactly I would monetize this ability.
1
u/Digital-Smores 5d ago
Take option 2 and dive for ship wrecks. Hopefully find some full of gold no one has found yet
1
u/jinxdeluxe 5d ago
If the superpower contains resistancy to all water pressure - I'll take that one.
I'll have those 5 Million after 1 day selling Titanic stuff. And then I get rich just by collecting Manganese nodules.
1
1
1
u/smashthattrash1 5d ago
Seems like you could get rich if you choose option 2. Then you’re rich with super powers.
1
u/TreatNo2038 4d ago
Who gets made fun of more, Batman, or Aquaman without super strength? I'll take the 5 million
1
u/Azeron_The_Dragon 4d ago
If I was durable enough to not have to worry about the sea life that could kill me, I would take the power. Even though I'm terrified of open water. I would use it exclusively to look for sunken ships. If it's strictly as worded above, I probably take the 5 mil and quit the factory life.
1
u/Praising_God_777 4d ago
The ability to breathe underwater. I can get more than $5 million searching for shipwrecks and claiming a finder’s fee.
1
u/Dirtyfoot25 4d ago
People here are either overestimating what $5 million can do or underestimating these powers.
1
u/Rose_E_Rotten 4d ago
I have to take the money, I'm scared of water on my face. I'll actually hold my breath when the shower hits my face, even though I know I can breathe just fine.
1
1
1
u/jonny_walkman 4d ago
Superpower just so I can rake in sponsorships at the Olympics. Gonna get a Michael Phelps tattoo on my lower back and break every record.
1
u/Organic-Present165 4d ago
Superpower. With those abilities, I could easily make more than $5 million.
1
u/Ghaticus 4d ago
Gonna work on the assumption that i can equalise pressure and that the temperature doesn't bother me etc.
I'd take the super power. There is heaps to see in the ocean, and OP says i can see clearly.
I swim like a stone now, so the ability to volunteer at the local surf club and dive the great barrier reef (i live in North Queensland) every weekend is just awesome.
Gives a whole new meaning to the statement "I'm going fishing this weekend."
If there was an extra 0 on the money then it would be a harder choice.
1
u/altech6983 4d ago
Didn't include the ability to withstand deep sea pressure and for that reason I am out.
5 million please.
1
u/rogue1351 4d ago
I feel it it would be hard to monetize that relatively shitty superpower. Option 1 in a no brainer
1
1
u/Otherwise_Party_2028 3d ago
Take the superpower dominate in Olympic swimming and shatter all the records make way more than 5 million and have a bad ass power.
1
u/Motherlover235 1d ago
Can I pass this ability along to any children I father? Because if so, I’d definitely choose being able to sire an undersea branch of the human race.
1
u/Bluemink96 17h ago
I’d take the super power and make more then 5 mill doing crazy bets acting like I don’t have super powers.
1
u/AutoModerator 5d ago
Copy of the original post in case of edits: A powerful genie pops up and he lets you choose between two gifts
$5 million dollars tax free
OR
Be able to breathe underwater for indefinite periods of time, if you choose this option you'll continue to be able to breathe normally in-land, the difference is that now you'll be able to breathe both underwater and in-land through your nose as your internal anatomy will adapt to handle underwater environments, you'll also be able to see crystal clear in the water and swim at fish speeds underwater, will also be able to drink salt water as fresh water and feast on raw seafood with your new body and digest it like normal food
Which one do you pick?
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/lunabelfry 5d ago
feast on raw seafood […] and digest it like normal food
You can already do that in your regular human body
0
u/Standard-Clock-6666 5d ago
I live in a landlocked state so I'll take the money. Even if I used this power to find sunken treasure there's no guarantee a shark or some weird ocean monster won't kill me
0
u/Happy_Ad9182 5d ago
„Look at me, im Aquaman! Yay!
Oh, hello Mr Shark!“
The End
1
0
0
0
u/Sereomontis 5d ago
Not what I would consider an OP superpower. I'd take the $5 mill over becoming fishboy.
0
u/PanthersJB83 5d ago
5million or become an even shittier Aquaman than Aquaman? I'll take the cash.
In what world is breathe underwater an OP superpower? OP is high.
Also where the fuck am I swimming to?
217
u/Alcarain 5d ago
So $5m or become a superhero fish person?
The superpowers sound badass, but honestly the ocean has so many things that could just kill me that I'd probably die trying to use the power. Its not like my combat abilities increase. There are thousands of species of predators that could chase me down and eat me in the water.
Ill take the 5m and just retire now.