Super Powers Would Suck: A thought experiment

[Deleted]

You're handwaving all of that. You're also missing the entire point of this thread. But sure, be edgy by calling it retarded.

I didn't know there was a point to be made, all I see is some nerds trying to put logic behind fictional characters which by nature defy all natural laws.

So yes, it is retarded...it's not being edgy, I enjoy my own nerd discussions from time to time...but I don't take it serious and discuss whatever we are discussing keeping their own fictional universe in mind.

[Dendrek]

It's one thing to talk about it for fun, but some here are talking as it is exact science...hence this thread is retarded. :P

Why shouldn't you analyze it from a scientific perspective? People debate the scientific merits of fantasy all the time. Why shouldn't they?

[Deleted]

The "don't debate it" "don't ask questions" "just accept it" mentality is so boring. No. If it doesn't interest you, don't reply. But being condescending is pointless. You're just trying to drag people down for really no reason at all.

I see, if you want to be a special snowflake than by all means.

[Jotaux]

Wolverine powers, like super healing. Theres no downside to that.

There is a downside to that just ask Deadpool. His healing factor has resulted in tumors all over his body because it accelerated his cancer.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Why shouldn't you analyze it from a scientific perspective? People debate the scientific merits of fantasy all the time. Why shouldn't they?

Because they themselves defy physics as we know it. It changes things, the context is different.

[Dendrek]

I didn't know there was a point to be made, all I see is some nerds trying to put logic behind fictional characters which by nature defy all natural laws.

So yes, it is retarded...it's not being edgy, I enjoy my own nerd discussions from time to time...but I don't take it serious and discuss whatever we are discussing keeping their own fictional universe in mind.

You must really like the word "retarded," which is interesting because you don't seem to know what it means.

[Deleted]

Why shouldn't you analyze it from a scientific perspective? People debate the scientific merits of fantasy all the time. Why shouldn't they?

I'm not even gonna bother explaining why you shouldn't. Enjoy your thread.

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Because they themselves defy physics as we know it. It changes things, the context is different.

Exactly as I said, discuss science within their own relevant universe.

[Dendrek]

Because they themselves defy physics as we know it. It changes things, the context is different.

The reality is that comic books intentionally ignore the context in most cases. Every once in a while they'll try to give a psudo-scientific reason for an ability working. Very often, they won't even bother with that. That's laziness on the writer's part for continuity's sake. But that doesn't mean fans can't speculate.

[AztechZero]

I'd rather have telekinetic powers over all of those listed. The one downside that first comes to mind is that I'd be used as a manual labor work horse.

[Yvaelle]

How about slowing time down by a factor of 1000?

Well, if the power is simply to slow time by a factor of 1000, then things might occur slower around you - but you would still move 1000 times slower - because your muscles still operate in the same span of time. Your brain would still think 1000 times slower, because your brain relies on chemical reactions to process thoughts. Since light still moves at the same rate (albeit 1000 times slower than normal, due to your powers) then you wouldn't even perceive things before others.

If you could control the region where time slowed you could do some cool things though - you could place people in time-stasis - slowing them down by 1000 times, while you still operate at normal speed: stunning them essentially. You could also place yourself or others in stasis - a friend just got shot and is bleeding out profusely? Lack medical training? Put them in a time-pocket until the paramedics arrive, they'll have yet to spill a single drop of blood on the floor.

Contrary to how its usually portrayed, the one person it probably wouldn't be very useful to slow time for - is yourself.

Unless of course, we're saying you could think and move at regular speeds, while freezing time for everyone else (ex. Dr. Xavier from X-Men) - there would probably be social consequences to having that power. Since you would be constantly tempted to freeze time during important conversations, have a think, go read their diary to see where they're coming from, come up with your best answer - then restore time - and always have a pithy response. Good for you, obviously tempting, but socially detrimental to your relationships to treat everyone else unfairly like that - you would appear very socially adept, but repeatedly doing so would reduce your regard for others feelings, since you know you can fix these things without social skills whenever you need to.

Omniscience, my personal favorite; downsides - none

Not at all true, humans put a lot of effort into tailoring their appearance for others - an omniscient person would always see everyone in their entirety as a person. They would see all the bad of humanity - imagine if you had an omniscient lover - they'd see you each time you farted, or took a nasty shit, they'd know the weirdest porn you've ever been aroused by, all the times you've laughed at something that you wouldn't laugh at in front of them, etc. They would see all your embarrassing moments in your life, all your failures, all your stories - you would never be able to tailor your stories to their interest, or omit parts you didn't think were interesting to them.

Think of it from the omniscient perspective too, they see all of that - for everyone - everybody would have countless things about them that make them less appealing to the omniscient person - think about the view of humanity that would develop from seeing all of that.

An omniscient person would at best become jaded from humanity like Dr. Manhattan from Watchmen, but perhaps more likely - would almost certainly become a Villain: because they would be incapable of seeing anyone as 'good' - everyone would be either 'gray' or 'black' in their eyes. The only person capable of appearing 'good' to them - would be themselves.

[Dendrek]

I'm not even gonna bother explaining why you shouldn't. Enjoy your thread.

You're not going to bother because you don't actually have a reason. You're just being condescending for the sake of being condescending. "Because that's how it is in that fictional universe" is not an answer. It's a plothole. Maybe you're ok with plotholes. There's nothing wrong with me or others pointing them out though.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

The reality is that comic books intentionally ignore the context in most cases. Every once in a while they'll try to give a psudo-scientific reason for an ability working. Very often, they won't even bother with that. That's laziness on the writer's part for continuity's sake. But that doesn't mean fans can't speculate.

No, it's because it's FANTASY, IT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE GROUND IN REALISM.

[Dendrek]

No, it's because it's FANTASY, IT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE GROUND IN REALISM.

That's obvious bullshit. Nice use of caps. That makes your point so much less non-existent.

[Jotaux]

I would imagine the slowing down of time would allow you to exist outside this slowing of time. So you would move at your normal speed while everything else is slowed down relative to you.

[Justpassing]

Fuck super powers, I want to be Batman!

[Jotaux]

Fuck super powers, I want to be Batman!

Well Batman has the best superpower, unlimited wealth.

[Dendrek]

You can build muscle without any weight at all using dynamic tension.

Fair enough. This is a good point. Of course, this requires that the person with super strength actually uses that kind of "workout" to build muscle. It also requires (as has been pointed out earlier in this thread) that the strength doesn't tear the person's body apart (requiring a certain level of super human endurance to survive their own power).

[omeomorfismo]

Don't forget that you would also freeze to death, as most warmth we get is transmitted via radiation - which is just a form of light (EM).

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There goes a long peaceful night's sleep - EVER AGAIN. As you are woken up at midnight EVERY night.

actually i think the problem is exactly the inverse, if we are invisible we havent emission of infrared (under red? i dont know the translation D. so we cant "consume" the excessive energy made by our metabolism and will become like an engine without intercooler

[BuckSparkles]

Fuck super powers, I want to be Batman!

After seeing Batman on this site, I no longer want to be batman.

[Deleted]

Have you ever considered the possibility, that having these super-powers comes with the additional effect of being able to bypass these limits?

I think a recent The Flash episode explored some unlocky SOB who got super strenght, but at the cost of ageing rapidly when using it.

Which power would I want?
I'd go with magic, more precisely energy manipulation; electricity (and if i can put a dot on the I; in black)
Check Orga Nanagear from fairy tail for refference.

What I would use it for? Nothing in particular; i'd just feel great knowing I can blow things up if I want and would keep this to myself.