Out There

With Great Power Comes Great Sentimentality

2021/09/24

What would be your superhero origin story? If a film was made about it, would it be one of those ones where they spend half the movie showing you slowly discovering how to use your superpowers before you realize that the real power was inside you all along? (Those are the worst ones, just team up with Iron Man already.) When it comes to superpowers they’d like to have, it turns out Americans’ preferences are as diverse as a Cheesecake Factory menu.

 

 

The most desired superpowers are invisibility (11%), time travel (11%), and immortality (10%). So Americans want to activate God mode. Got it. Don’t worry, Wolverine, retractable claws are nice too.

 

The feel-good stat of the day: a clear majority (65%) of Americans would primarily use their newfound superpowers to help others, while 35% would primarily use powers for their own benefit. Faith in (super)humanity restored.

 

When given a free-response option to describe the first action they would take with their new powers, Americans had some interesting (and heartbreaking) things to say:

 

  • One time-traveler would use their powers to go back in time to visit their deceased parents.
  • A do-gooder who can communicate with animals would “help find where lost dogs live.” No word yet on what they would say to cats in trees.
  • One very relatable person would “be invisible so I can have quiet time.”
  • A convenience-seeking speedster would “go all the places I have to but really fast.”