The Show Notes: Episode 24: Exploring Superpowers
Join us as we dig into the plausibility, ethics, and calories of awesome superpowers. From teleportation to super speed, they debate which power is the best power.
Welcome to the Shownotes! We are staying organized with timestamps (folks seemed to like them). As always, feel free to comment, and we will address it in future shows! Enjoy.
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Joe’s Show Notes:
00:00 Welcome to the Basement Studio
00:11 Meet Our Guest: Bill Halliar
00:47 Bill's Horror Comic Journey
02:27 Discussing the Best Superpower
What is a superpower?
A superpower can be defined as an extraordinary ability or set of abilities that surpass normal human capabilities, often existing beyond the laws of nature, biology, or physics as we understand them. These powers are typically seen in the realms of fiction, especially in superhero comics, films, and literature, where they are used to solve problems or overcome challenges that are insurmountable to conventional human skills or technology.
Key Elements of a Superpower Definition:
Extraordinary Nature
Defies Normal Human Limits
Fictional or Hypothetical
Purposeful or Practical Use in story narrative
Inherent or Acquired
03:50 Defining Superpowers
04:35 Marvel vs. DC: A Comic Debate
05:39 Exploring Superpower Categories
Ranking Superpowers From Plausible to Handwavium
1. PHYSICAL AUGMENTATION
Plausibility: High
These superpowers are based on enhanced versions of normal human abilities or augmentations that could be achieved through technology, biology, or training.
2. TECHNOLOGY-BASED POWERS
Plausibility: High
These powers rely on advancements in technology that are either currently possible or within the realm of foreseeable future breakthroughs.
3. BIOLOGICAL MANIPULATION
Plausibility: Moderate
Some of these powers rely on genetic modification or deep biological understanding, areas where science is making rapid progress but remains speculative.
4. SENSORY AND PERCEPTUAL ENHANCEMENT
Plausibility: Moderate
These powers could be enhanced or enabled by technology that already exists in limited form or through future neuroscience advancements.
5. SYMBIOTIC POWERS
Plausibility: Moderate
Symbiote Bonding, Mind Parasites, Body Snatching
5. ENERGY MANIPULATION
Plausibility: Moderate to Low
While plausible in theory, manipulating energy forms directly is still far beyond current technology, though scientific principles might allow limited control in the future.
6. ENVIRONMENTAL POWERS
Plausibility: Moderate to Low
Weather Control, Plant Manipulation, Animal Communication, Geokinesis (Earth Manipulation)
7. MIND AND CONSCIOUSNESS MANIPULATION
Plausibility: Low
Manipulating consciousness at this level borders on the metaphysical, making it unlikely based on current scientific understanding.
8. MAGIC AND MYSTICAL POWERS
Plausibility: Extremely Low
These powers are generally based on fictional or supernatural concepts with no basis in known science.
9. TELEPORTATION AND SPATIAL MANIPULATION
Plausibility: Extremely Low to Theoretical
These powers require bending or manipulating space-time, something that’s currently only theoretical under extreme conditions in quantum physics or relativity.
10.TIME MANIPULATION
Plausibility: Theoretical
Time travel and control are governed by relativity and quantum physics, but practical implementation is exceedingly unlikely given what we know about causality and paradoxes.
11.REALITY WARPING AND COSMIC POWERS
Plausibility: Impossible under Known Science
These powers involve fundamental changes to the nature of reality itself, something that defies all known scientific laws.
31:46 The Practicality of Superpowers
33:01 Spider-Man's Real-World Struggles
33:23 Alan Moore's Unique Perspective
Alan Moore said most superpowers are useless
Superpowers are often created for specific conflicts (e.g., defeating a villain) and might not translate into usefulness outside those narrow situations. A heroic narrative usually amplifies the power’s significance, but in the broader world, it could be redundant or inefficient.
34:05 The Escalation of Superhero Conflicts
42:51 Calories and Superpowers
53:18 Modern References to Superheroes
58:00 Favorite Superpowers and Their Ethics
01:01:56 Closing Thoughts and movies, shows, comics mentioned in show
Harry Potter Fire Place teleportation: Floo Network
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