I'd go with deaf. I need to see to drive and code software and I need my own hands (prosthetics aren't good enough yet for typing on a keyboard) to earn a living. Now if they perfect bionics or invent the Matrix-style "jack in" interface for the computer, then we'll talk.

But, as Obi says, I could handle losing one of any of them. I can still work and rive with one arm, and/or one eye. But the irony is, I'f rather have both ears function or neither.

2. Being deaf. I think of the three choices, that would have the least impact on my life. Still sucky, but more manageable.

Definitely deaf. Like what THM said, it would impact my life the least.

1. Being blind. I'm a guitarist and I truly love music, so obviously that's my choice. I'd probably hang myself if I go deaf. Fuck legs and arms and eyes in comparison.

Being deaf. Unless you are a musician and sound is a vitally important part of your career, being handicapped with sound isn't the worst handicap around.

@Vaft - "Fuck legs and arms and eyes in comparison."

How would you play with no arms?

Now if we are throwing in legs, I'll go with being a parapalegic/no legs. Cars can be equiped with hand controls and with full sight and hearing plus arms, I'd still be able to do everything I enjoy as well as earn a living.

Draugnar, I only meant that hearing is most important to me. Losing the arms would be my second choice. Hearing last, always. And I don't care about career, probably because I live in the socialist nightmare of Europe that TC has declared has no future, I expect to be taken care of if I become disabled, but also because my free time is more important to me, and I go absolutely insane if a day goes by that I can't sit down and listen to music. Losing legs would be a walk in the park, every pun intended. My mother's been in a wheelchair since she was 6, and despite it sucking sometimes, she's had a very good life and been able to do everything she wants.

This would be my order:

1 Leg
1 Arm
2 Legs
Deaf
Blind
2 Arms


If you consider prosthetic, being deaf is no where as bad as being blind or having no arms. Not having legs isn't that bad either, especially with some of the newer wheelchairs.

Also, the iLimb hand is cool as shit. If you're not familiar, check it out!

My list pretty much mirrors abgemacht's.

Big surprise, Fag-Naur. What does a mod's ass taste like? Enlighten us.

Being blind, obviously. Inhibits human interaction the least.

Lol, a week doesn't go by on WebDip without a Jamiet thread about maiming someone.

As I said last time, professional help Jamie.

@uly - I disagree. Nothing that is done in human itneraction with sound can't be done with writing and visually (to account for tone of voice using expressions), with the exception being music. But there is plenty of human interaction we pick up as visual vues that get lost if you are blind. If you think about video chatting with a friend and the sound going out, they could write what they wanted on a piece of paper and show it to the camera then show you their face to flip you off, but if the video is out and they want to show you the latest picture of their new baby, you are hosed.

Sorry, I don't really care for the quality of videochats, something I don't even use. Written IM works just fine but I understand others might dig it. On the other hand, I would like to see how you convey the comforting sound of breathing your wife makes when she's asleep.

It depends upon what technological advances are available to compensate for the loss. Darpa/the military have put together some pretty good prosthetics these days...I might be inclined to go armless, and then I would work on my tragic memoirs to try to raise enough cash to become the first double-arm transplant patient.

Hmmm...rethinking...maybe deaf would be nice!

I want a steel spine. I might make that my new goal in life.

This is easy. Definitely deaf. Being blind would be horrible because you won't be able to drive, watch TV, play games like diplomacy etc. Having no arms you wouldn't be able to drive, or hug people, or play sports etc. But being deaf is OK. You can read, you can watch TV, drive, you can sign (you have arms, you see), and use closed captioning.

If I had to choose then deaf and praying to god they figured out a way to fix it soon.

@Uly - Easy. You lay your head on her chest and feel the vibrations and it's rise and fall plus get the bonus book pillows out of the deal.