this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2023
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What is a superpower that could be plausible for a human to have, being supported by science?

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think it comes down to how you define “superpower.” If were just talking mutations, I think superspeed and super-strength would be the most plausible.

Think of someone line Michael Phelps. His physical attributes make him - compared to most others - inhumanly fast and strong due to his wingspan and body structure. I wouldn’t quite call it a superpower, but I think deviations in size and body comp could lead to abilities deemed “super.”

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

i think the best thing for this post is to think of abilities that aren't natural to humans, and how they could become natural. like for example AR surgery on a person's eyes increases their cyborg %. otherwise people will just list normal things and people that go a tiny bit beyond them. I was thinking of a big leap.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I mean, if you consider cyber-augmentations, and spice it up with some futuristic assumptions of how technology would advance, then a lot of things become possible.

Both Batman and Ironman could technically be plausible superheroes in a sufficiently advanced world.

Having a mobile device that fits in your hand with the power of communicating with computer networks wirelessly and access all kinds of information like we do today would have been considered a super power 30 years ago.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

sounds so exciting and terrifying at the same time!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The YouTube Channel Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell has a cool 16 minute video on genetic engineering briefly describing its history, workings, applications and ethics. The video touches upon a few abilities considered superpowers that humans can possess in the future, my favorite among which is the possibility of never aging.

It's worth noting that the concept of a superpower is inherently comparative. It relies on a comparison between individuals possessing exceptional abilities and the average capabilities of the general population. If "granting" superpowers to humans through genetic engineering becomes technologically and economically feasible, more and more genetically modified humans will come into existence. Once a significant portion of the population comes to possess these enhanced abilities, they will become the new norm, and the definition of what constitutes a superpower would shift accordingly.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Supertasters are real and walk among us!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

is their ability THAT MUCH higher than average people to be considered super?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Autism, but only if you're super lucky.

You can gain the superpower of getting deep knowledge and pretty good skills in a given field, but it must be your special interest otherwise it doesn't or barely works.

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