blind, because I can read braille. :)

Deaf. I can't imagine how I would manage if I couldn't see or read. There are also hearing aids and implants available for the deaf, as well as subtitles.

I'd have to say blind, even though I'd lose my job. I don't know how I'd survive without music.

I would prefer to be deaf. I went to school for painting, and feel super reliant on visual input from the world. Reading and knitting and drawing I just couldn't deal without.

Deaf (I'm already hard of hearing). The thought of not being able to see what's going on around me scares the hell out of me.

Blind. After working with a few groups of deaf people and deaf schools, even though I really enjoy being around the deaf, I understand that deafness is more isolating than blindness. Being in the world of the hearing makes connecting with other humans a breeze, whether it's sharing a joke, receiving a warning, forming friendships, singing or playing music. Sighted people do understand how much we depend on sight - we're actually kind of lazy about it! - but hearing people generally do not understand how much we depend on our hearing to live in the world.

Deaf. I love music but I depend most of all on my vision. And I'd add that I don't disagree with Miko that being deaf is very isolating, but I'd say that at least in my profession (law), blind lawyers/jurors/witnesses are even more isolated than deaf ones. And I could not do my beloved job at all if I were blind, while I could continue if I were deaf.

Hoooeee! Do we have any blind or deaf members to comment? I'm not being knee-jerk PC, just curious.

P.S. I love the FNQ. Can't we think of some other iteration that reveals interesting facts/thoughts/points of view about the bunnies?

I'd rather be deaf. I am not a gamesplayer nor a TV watcher. I am a reader, but audio books are ubiquitous.

Deaf, no question. And I'm really surprised that there are so many that would choose blind.

It's much harder to live independently if you're deaf.

Absolutely deaf, 100%, no quibbles.

One: I would not want to give up a self awareness of my own appearance.

Two: I am lucky enough to have had an exposure to deaf culture and find it fascinating and valuable, in it's own right as a whole different language and the whole issues of do you want a a hearing or deaf child and how to treat, etc.

Three: I don't objectify deaf people as sex objects at all, but admit to being fascinated by the unedited sounds the deaf make, and find them beautiful, and can't help projecting into sex life. I know that's Friday Night Question crazytalk, but I guess for me, the deaf are auto sexy and the blind are not, so that's what I'd want for myself.

In the final truth, I'm fascinated around deaf people and would want people fascinated by me, and I am a bit uncomfortable by blind people, and think I would be less attractive to others as a blind person.

Yeah, I like music, sure, but deaf people can usually feel rhythm, and I can't imagine not reading, but I don't know why I can't imagine reading Braille.

Ok. This FNQ exposes me as some kind of terribly incorrect person, but if you want to hear more, email is in my profile, or memail me.

Also, I know this q has come up on metachat before!

Blind, dammit, blind.

Deaf because I love looking at things and seeing art and people. I have sensitive ears so I don't like a lot of noises and loud things annoy me.

For fri night I would like a celebrity date/marry/kill.

Some kind of Friday night Madlibs has the possibility of getting outrageous. Perhaps an early session, and a late session.

Friday night Madlibs

I'm not sure how the logistics would work, but that could be frickin hilarious. Noted.

What BP said, I can't live without music.

I'd pick deaf, for sure. I already watch most of my TV and movies with subtitles and agree that I couldn't imagine reading braille. Although, deaf culture is a bit weird to me. It seems secluded (awesomely self-reliant, but secluded) and at times intolerant of the hearing. This may seem like an unfair judgement, and I'll wholly admit it probably is. Most of what I think I know about deaf culture is from TV, and we all know how reliable that is.

Also, a friend of mine has a Playboy in braille:
≡ Click to see image ≡

≡ Click to see image ≡

Deaf.

And as for the FNQ, I'd actually prefer to see a MMQ (Monday morning question). It doesn't seem like many folks are around on Friday nights, and it would be nice to get some sort of regular conversation going on the weekdays again. The Wednesday 3-point updates come close, but that's just people talking about themselves -- not to each other.

Come to think of it, a MMQ would be more people talking about themselves and not to each other, so maybe that's not a very good suggestion either.

In any case, deaf. I'd much rather be able to see interesting things.

Deaf. If I can't read I don't want to live.

I've had poor vision since I was a little kid so I tend to be protective of my vision. Also I'm a visual thinker. So I'd be more inclined to give up hearing.

deaf culture is a bit weird to me. It seems secluded (awesomely self-reliant, but secluded) and at times intolerant of the hearing.

I think that's fairly accurate, at least for a significant set of the deaf community.

Deaf. I must be able to read books.

Huh?

Eideteker I'm not sure if your comment was for me or not. But as an explanation just in case. I truly enjoy reading a paper book. I understand that I could get books on tape/mp3 or whatever, but that wouldn't work for me. I read the books with my own internal voice. The few times I heard books read by others I just couldn't lose myself in them.

As well I am a totally visually oriented person. Since this is purely a hypothetical, the choice is obvious for me.

Choice number three: offing myself. I would be slowly driven insane in either case as I know I am not the sort of person that could adjust to either.

I'd be blind. Music.

Deaf.
As unsuccessful as I am at it, I self-describe myself as a visual artist. I experience the world in a visually examining way. I dearly love music, but I cannot even begin to imagine being blind.

I would sorrowfully miss the sounds of birds during the day, and the crickets at night, though.

Deaf, without a doubt. I process everything visually, think visually, work in a visual arts field, and am able to process only the most rudimentary of instruction aurally.

I spent a couple of days blind once after a fireworks-related accident - I'd choose to be deaf any day over that. I'd miss music terribly, but I'd miss a lot more if I couldn't see.

Deaf. There's too much stimulation to be had with the eyes (even deaf I could feel the beat of music).

I've heard it said that blindness cuts you off from things and deafness cuts you off from people. So I would choose to be blind.