Friday, July 07, 2006

Superheroes

Thanks to Damien for the inspiration.

Superheroes, what would they be like if they existed? Do comics and movies really represent human nature? I don't think they do.

If people with superpowers were to exist they would cross the spectrum of personalities. There would be the odd noble person and the odd super villian, but most people would exploit their powers for their own gains. To be fair, comics and movies have explored this with some detail, but they have a tendency to show way to many characters from the extremes of the spectrum. There would be a Bell curve, and Bell curves dictate that the majority would fall in the center.

If I could fly, I would. I don't know if this would cause me to fight crime or save lives. It would just give me the ability to fly.

If I were super strong, I would make my money in sports. Being superstrong does not make me bulletproof or anything like that. If I had the opportunity to do something great, sure, but I would not go looking for trouble.

If I could turn invisable, I would at some point in time venture into a girl's locker room. Hey, I am being honest. I would also be the best ever super spy. Or possibly make money on the stock market.

Most men are pragmatist, and if they woke up one day with superhuman abilities they would continue being pragmatist and use their abilities to their own advantages. It is the human condition that everyone would do something unethical at some point with their powers. We are not from Krypton.

3 comments:

Jody said...

I think your point can be made easily by talking to any child of ten years old. If you ask a ten year old what super power they prefer, most likely they would tell you something that would benefit themselves- the ability to speed time in class, the ability to freeze time to procrastinate, etc. None of this serving the greater good nonsense!

Carrie Nichols said...

I agree. Besides, imagine all the lawsuits if people-even ones with superpowers-went around fighting crime? And the rates for liability insurance? And malpractice suits?

Stealth said...

actually, I disagree. (being the rogue that I am ) I would use my superpower greenthumb. Money would grow on trees becoming worthless...and all the ma and pa shops would reopen and barter..

because if money grew on trees it would be worthless...unless to me it already is.

Perhaps that is my superpower. I don't think it could save anyone, but I do have superpowers already, damnit, and they seem to make people smile.

That is good enough for this simple girl.