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Super powers are great. Everybody wishes they had one, but do they help for everyday things? I imagine a lot of heroes would like to use their powers for everyday stuff, but would it really help?

I find it very amusing when people discuss what they would like their super powers to be. Some mention that they want super strength, others say they want telepathy. These powers are great for saving the world and fighting evil, but how do they help with common every day problems? How is heat vision going to help me vacuum the rug?

Super heroes need super villains, otherwise the battles would be very one-sided. How many times have bank robbers thrown a gun at Superman’s chest? He shirks that off very easily. To make him interesting he needs a villain who can give him a challenge, an opportunity to use his powers. This causes stronger villains, or super villains. Super powers help in battling super villains but what else would super powers be needed for?

Superman has rent to pay and groceries to buy, so how does being able to fly, bend steel, or look through wall aid in those things? Superman is not the type to rob a bank or accept money for doing what he does, so he has to actually do some work. He has to publish articles in a newspaper. Sure, being Superman helps him get the story but does it help him write it? When at the grocery store how would his powers help? I know I’ve found myself at the grocery store wishing I could get through the line faster, but that still doesn’t make the checkers scan me through any faster. If Superman did all his shopping in ten seconds, he’d probably get stuck behind the trainee when he was ready to check out.

Superman is fortunate enough to have multiple powers, and when one power doesn’t work he can try one of his others. When people are discussing their own wanted powers they often limit themselves to one. Most of this is because they draw on the fact that their respective power would be used to do something other than than everyday work. If, instead of thinking of fighting super villains, people sat and thought about what power they would want so their days would be easier, I imagine there would be a lot of different response, “the ability to generate coffee out of thin air, two more hands, a steel back, etc.”