Monday, March 17, 2014

If I Had a Superpower

Somewhat lighter reading this time - in the spirit of spring!

During the past several years we have been spoiled with all sorts of 'supernatural' series on television, and countless movies based on different Marvel Comics characters. We are confronted with what it might be like to live in a world of superheroes, people with special abilities, zombies, and what not,  and how we should be prepared for any dire straights.
 
How many of us have not at one time or another toyed with the idea of having a superpower of sorts? Many of us may feel a certain satisfaction when the hero in the end conquers the villain(s). If you had a choice, which superhuman ability would you like to have -  if any? Here is a long list of some superpowers!

My superhero #1 was always Superman. Not so much due to all his special skills, but rather the fact that he could have such an impact, and make such a difference without endangering himself.

My own choice would be more mundane, perhaps even a bit weird. I would be the Banisher. I would have the ability to make things vanish, disappear, to never appear again at the hands of those they were banished from, or in the places they were planted in - whatever those things were. This ability would have a drawback, a twist, though: it could only be used at sight. The Banisher would have to see the object to be banished in the hands of the 'perpetrator'. But the banishment would be swift and decisive. Weapons would just disappear from the hands of criminals - and soldiers (equally and simultaneously on both combatting sides). Mines would vanish from mine fields. Toxic waste in pipelines would reflow back to the factories. Illegal drugs would vanish into thin air. Abusers hands would freeze in midair.  Even cigarettes would disappear from lips, along with the desire to smoke. The turn for improvement would begin at once. The air would be clearer to breath, streets and  fields safer to walk, waters cleaner to swim in, homes free of violence. The good cops could keep their guns, while 'the baddies' would have time to think things over, and realize the futility and stupidity of rearming themselves. The spiral of positive spirits would spread like a wildfire.

The Banisher - naturally indestructible - would fly worldover (oops, that is actually three abilities), and leave each particular part of the world a better place in his or her wake. He would be hated too, but mostly held in high esteem as people allover saw how things really did get better. Taxes would be used to take better care of people and infrastructure everywhere, nations, tribes and families allover would be healthier and happier, waging wars would be a thing of the past as United Nations' Peace Corps would take - very humanly - care of any budding trouble on the world scene.
Or. Do we actually need the positive-negative axis? Would any amount of cleansing solve anything in the long run? Is it just wishful thinking ad absurdum? Must free will always have its course? Is that why the extraterrestrials won't show up and 'force' us to be the best we can be? Do we humans need to find the way to peace and justice ourselves even if it took us a thousand generations or more? After all, if there is no time and all time is one, it doesn't really matter how long it takes, as long as it takes place.

Still, to be a Banisher one single day...


LINKS
- Wiki:ListOfFilmsBasedOnMarvelComics - Wikia:List of Supernatural Powers and Abilities

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