Questions Written for HOUDINI Magazine's webapp 'Smokebreak'.
Why not take a smokebreak?
HOUDINI | Shem Shelley's Questions from the Gristle
A provocative set of existential, absurd, and darkly humorous questions designed to unsettle and provoke deep reflection.
If you came across the Fountain of Youth, would you piss in it?
Imagine everyone you'd ever known was a construct created specifically to alter your true path. How would you react?
What would be the cruelest punishment you would devise for yourself?
If all actions are reactions, what action have you taken recently that was born from the most petty reaction?
Can the blood of a god rejuvenate the ill minds of humankind, or would it take something less fantastical?
If we swapped bodies, how many acts of kindness would it take for you to get bored of kindness, knowing it wasn't you receiving the thanks?
Do you believe that not believing is itself a form of believing?
Will the call of the bird in the dusk of the mind expunge all imaginary disease?
The earth is plagued with violent invaders that exist only to devastate all they touch. Do you agree these invaders should be eradicated?
How much would you pay someone to always say, "You probably don't need to waste money on this," every time you are about to purchase something?
You wouldn't willingly eat poison, so why don't you treat your mind like your stomach and be far more careful in what you consume?
If a device was invented that reset all of humankind except you, what would be the first system you set in place to govern them?
Which god would you choose to have a fistfight with?
Put your music on shuffle and ask, "What sound will I make when I die?"
What is the worst sentence you can think of?
If you had to destroy all art mediums (painting, film, books, games, etc.) to ensure only one survives, what would you choose?
What's your favorite issue of FROM UTOPIA?
HOUDINI | Late Night Talks With Your Best Friend
Heart-to-heart questions for those 2 a.m. conversations with someone who knows you best. Written by [Hap.e]
Do you think romantic relationships last longer, or platonic relationships?
What do you think paved the way for our friendship to last this long?
Where and how do you envision us in the future?
When talking about me to others, what describing words do you often use?
What's a memory that you think about fondly?
What would you describe as being the peak of our friendship?
What would you describe as being the lowest pit of our friendship?
In what ways would your life be different if we were not this close?
What's a quality, feeling, or emotion in you that often comes about when we're together?
How does our friendship differ from your other friendships?
What's something we definitely need to carry on doing in our friendship?
What's a weakness in our friendship that we should tackle?
Do you think we're opposites or the same (in terms of personality, values, morals, etc.)?
What are some things you can do with me, but not others?
What are some things you can't do with me, but can with others?
In a moment of weakness, how would you want me to support you?
In a moment of strength, how would you want me to celebrate with you?
In a moment of conflict, how would you want me to approach you?
HOUDINI | Work Chat Icebreakers
Simple questions designed to spark engaging conversations at work.
How often are you around or come in?
Do you live close by? If so, is it a nice walk? If not, how long does it take you to arrive?
What mode of transport do you use to get here?
How are you spending your lunch break today?
How do you deal with long shifts?
What's your favourite go-to break snack?
What's the worst customer you've dealt with today?
What's the best customer you've dealt with today?
Did today feel slow, or was it quite busy?
What's something you still haven't got the hang of at work, and what's something you think you've mastered?
HOUDINI | On the Romantic Side
A deeper dive into love, expectations, and the emotional rhythms of a relationship. Written by [Hap.e]
What's something you expected in our relationship? Did those expectations become fulfilled? Did they change?
What common emotions do you feel when we're together?
What boundaries do you wish were in our relationship?
In what ways am I similar to your past relationships?
In what ways do I differ from your past relationships?
In what ways am I similar or different to your 'ideal partner'?
What do you believe to be our next milestone, if any?
Do you believe in marriage?
How would you describe the healthiest romantic relationship?
What are some negative aspects of other relationships you have seen that you are glad are not a part of ours?
What are some positive aspects of other relationships you have seen that you hope to adopt into ours?
What was the driving point that convinced you to have a relationship with me? Has that changed?
Do you believe in love? If so, what characteristics tell you that you are in love? If not, why?
How would you define love?
How has your definition and experience of love been shaped throughout your life?
Do you feel as if you are in love with me? Why or why not?