Questions

[Jorlem]

If I may, I'd like to ask two questions.
First, if Doug has a song and a parody of that song by, for example, Weird Al, which has the same tune but different lyrics, what would happen if Doug heard the lead in for the song without knowing which it was?  Obviously, the powers would be different, given the different lyrics, but would his metatalent know which song was being played before the lyrics started and therefore before Doug could possibly know which song it was?
Second, would it be ok to post a song without a clear idea as to what its power would be?
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Stand between the Silver Crystal and the Golden Sea.
"Youngsters these days just have no appreciation for the magnificence of the legendary cucumber."  --Krityan Elder, Tales of Vesperia.

[robkelk]

First, if Doug has a song and a parody of that song by, for example, Weird Al, which has the same tune but different lyrics, what would happen if Doug heard the lead in for the song without knowing which it was? Obviously, the powers would be different, given the different lyrics, but would his metatalent know which song was being played before the lyrics started and therefore before Doug could possibly know which song it was?

Good question... Wish I had an answer for it.

Second, would it be ok to post a song without a clear idea as to what its power would be?

That's been done before, so why not?
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[Bob Schroeck]

Well, Jorlem, Rob has the right of it on your second question.

And as for the first... well, I found that Rumiko Takahashi once said something that applies here, at least until I can formulate a better answer: "I don't think about that, and neither should you."
-- Bob
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Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[Jorlem]

Ok, posting it now. Thanks.
-----
Stand between the Silver Crystal and the Golden Sea.
"Youngsters these days just have no appreciation for the magnificence of the legendary cucumber."  --Krityan Elder, Tales of Vesperia.

[Shepherd]

I found that Rumiko Takahashi once said something that applies here, at least until I can formulate a better answer: "I don't think about that, and neither should you."

Yeah. I once considered the implications of Doug traveling through dimensions and hearing multiple virtually identical versions of the same song. I just assume that, since his power is magically based, the moment the song starts, his metatalent knows whether or not it is a valid power song. You can fool Doug, but not Doug's power.
Although, this does make me wonder, if someone hits Doug with the illusion of deafness, does his power still work since he is actually capable of hearing music and just doesn't realize that he's hearing it, or is the lack of perception enough to shut his power down?
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"Anyone can be a winner if their definition of victory is flexible enough." - The DM of the Rings XXXV

[Bob Schroeck]

Mm. Depends on how the "illusion" works. If it overrides the senses, then the deafness would be real enough and a song would cease. If it simply deceives him into thinking he's not hearing anything, the subconscious part of his mind may still be getting the playback and that's all that's needed.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[Evil Midnight Lurker]

That could be used for some very nasty trickery by enemies who knew interesting portions of Doug's playlist...
--Sam
"How the hell did I do that?"

[Jorlem]

Too bad that wouldn't work in reverse as well. Then he'd have a way to safely listen to music again.
-----
Stand between the Silver Crystal and the Golden Sea.
"Youngsters these days just have no appreciation for the magnificence of the legendary cucumber."  --Krityan Elder, Tales of Vesperia.