Export thread
Super power science
#1
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Where we talk about how super power could exist or not exist in general.
What's the consensus on telekinesis/psychokinesis? The idea is using your own mental elecricity to move stuff right? If that was how it would work I'd assume whatever I'd levitate would burn up from electrical burns.
What's the consensus on telekinesis/psychokinesis? The idea is using your own mental elecricity to move stuff right? If that was how it would work I'd assume whatever I'd levitate would burn up from electrical burns.
#2
strawman
strawman
Mutations that result in powers which are stronger than the body they are host to in theory would result in vanishingly short lifetimes.
But a normal human born with telekinesis? Dead the first or second time they used their power internally accidentally.
Most of these failures would likely happen prior to birth and would appear to be miscarriages.
Super strength? Torn amniotic sac, self dismemberment.
Super speed? Torn amniotic sac.
Shoot laser beams? ^^^^^^^^^^
Even if we assume the power don't manifest until puberty, teenagers are the worst at controlling themselves - they are essentially self-centered temper-tantrum throwing two year olds all over again, except they can communicate and reason when it suits their purpose. So they too would end up hurting themselves and their caregivers to death prior to learning how to control their powers - probably long before they even realize they have such powers.
There may be powers such as super healing that wouldn't require a strong physical body, but super healing is just another form of an especially aggressive form of cancer, and to have such an ability that would not exceed its limits and grow an extra arm, or give you fingernails on your face would seem to be unrealistically improbable.
Superman is not an exception because he could survive anything he could do to himself - his physical frame is equal to his powers, unlike humans. Even if he killed his caregivers in a temper tantrum, he could survive without food until he was old enough to feed himself, and he could eat anything anyway. He certainly wouldn't have turned into the boyscout the stories suggest unless he was already predisposed to giving exact heed to everything his parents said - and even then they're liable to end up dead the first time they're holding him and he sees something he wants and reaches for it quickly without thinking about the fact that he just kicked his mother's sternum through her spine trying to get closer to the thing he wants.
So I'll go with the position that yes, such powers exist, and no - they don't exist in humans that make it to adulthood.
But a normal human born with telekinesis? Dead the first or second time they used their power internally accidentally.
Most of these failures would likely happen prior to birth and would appear to be miscarriages.
Super strength? Torn amniotic sac, self dismemberment.
Super speed? Torn amniotic sac.
Shoot laser beams? ^^^^^^^^^^
Even if we assume the power don't manifest until puberty, teenagers are the worst at controlling themselves - they are essentially self-centered temper-tantrum throwing two year olds all over again, except they can communicate and reason when it suits their purpose. So they too would end up hurting themselves and their caregivers to death prior to learning how to control their powers - probably long before they even realize they have such powers.
There may be powers such as super healing that wouldn't require a strong physical body, but super healing is just another form of an especially aggressive form of cancer, and to have such an ability that would not exceed its limits and grow an extra arm, or give you fingernails on your face would seem to be unrealistically improbable.
Superman is not an exception because he could survive anything he could do to himself - his physical frame is equal to his powers, unlike humans. Even if he killed his caregivers in a temper tantrum, he could survive without food until he was old enough to feed himself, and he could eat anything anyway. He certainly wouldn't have turned into the boyscout the stories suggest unless he was already predisposed to giving exact heed to everything his parents said - and even then they're liable to end up dead the first time they're holding him and he sees something he wants and reaches for it quickly without thinking about the fact that he just kicked his mother's sternum through her spine trying to get closer to the thing he wants.
So I'll go with the position that yes, such powers exist, and no - they don't exist in humans that make it to adulthood.
#3
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
So stienman, from your logic I assume the only way they would be able to survive is if their bodies were genetically engineered to survive said powers. Interesting.
On the topic of pyrokinesis I've always thought of it as someone using their own bio-electricity in the air to cause combustion.
On the topic of pyrokinesis I've always thought of it as someone using their own bio-electricity in the air to cause combustion.
#4
GasBandit
GasBandit
#5
strawman
strawman
It would essentially require multiple complementary mutations to occur at once, manifest at the same time, and have the same reactive power to each other.
Also you'd have to gestate in superman's womb.
Also you'd have to gestate in superman's womb.
#6
GasBandit
GasBandit
That's all very well for mutation origin powers, but what about other origins? I just half-jokingly showed how tech-based superpowers are already feasible, but what about "lab accident" powers? The hulk wasn't an X-man, he had a lab accident. The Flash's origin. Et cetera.
#7
strawman
strawman
Well the hulk's mutation, like superman, included the ability to withstand its effects. Even though the mutation happened at a later time, it's still a mutation, although I suppose we could discuss what a mutation is. In my mind the actual DNA must be changed in order for the change to replicate for new cells.
Further, the mutation must happen in a way that doesn't trigger an immune response, it must spread to all the body, and must do so quickly enough that, for instance, half the muscle doesn't become super strong and rip apart the other half that hasn't changed yet. It can occur instantaneously, or while one is unconscious. It's more likely that one would become terribly ill, fall into and out of sleep or a coma, and then awake completely changed, having survived the mutation, or died in the process.
Then we have to talk about the various changes that must exist for any one power to manifest. Take the laser vision guy, for instance. Oh no, suddenly everything I look at starts flaming or exploding! My eyelids can magically withhold the power. Wait, what? So you are 1) able to produce a coherent energy beam measured in the kilwatts worth of power, and 2) it can't pass your skin, and/or you can turn it on and off with your mind, it just happens to use the same signals your eyelids use? Don't even get me started about the glasses he wears - they have to be able to convert the energy of kilowatts of power, continuously, into something benign. It can't be heat, or he'd have cooked his head long ago. While that's a science fiction question, you have to think about the same thing with his eyelids, therefore for this to work his body must also be able to absorb a huge amount of radiation through the skin and convert it into something benign.
To be useful and usable, and not kill you, seems to require a sequence of events and changes that together give you your power - any one part of it alone would be useless or destroy you.
Besides, even in your example of rich being the best superpower, there are untold millions of stories of sudden wealth destroying people. I'd say that still follows the theory that sudden superpowers are also self-destructive in general.
Further, the mutation must happen in a way that doesn't trigger an immune response, it must spread to all the body, and must do so quickly enough that, for instance, half the muscle doesn't become super strong and rip apart the other half that hasn't changed yet. It can occur instantaneously, or while one is unconscious. It's more likely that one would become terribly ill, fall into and out of sleep or a coma, and then awake completely changed, having survived the mutation, or died in the process.
Then we have to talk about the various changes that must exist for any one power to manifest. Take the laser vision guy, for instance. Oh no, suddenly everything I look at starts flaming or exploding! My eyelids can magically withhold the power. Wait, what? So you are 1) able to produce a coherent energy beam measured in the kilwatts worth of power, and 2) it can't pass your skin, and/or you can turn it on and off with your mind, it just happens to use the same signals your eyelids use? Don't even get me started about the glasses he wears - they have to be able to convert the energy of kilowatts of power, continuously, into something benign. It can't be heat, or he'd have cooked his head long ago. While that's a science fiction question, you have to think about the same thing with his eyelids, therefore for this to work his body must also be able to absorb a huge amount of radiation through the skin and convert it into something benign.
To be useful and usable, and not kill you, seems to require a sequence of events and changes that together give you your power - any one part of it alone would be useless or destroy you.
Besides, even in your example of rich being the best superpower, there are untold millions of stories of sudden wealth destroying people. I'd say that still follows the theory that sudden superpowers are also self-destructive in general.
#8
Gusto
Gusto
Being bombarded with gamma rays is an excellent way to die and leave your city in ruins.
#9
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
stienman Oh sweet Satan I hate Cyclops type powers! Powers that are just so idiotically specific that have a bazillion rules. Who sets up these rules? If they were normal mutations their shouldn't BE any rules. Yet another reason why Cyclops sucks.
#10
sixpackshaker
sixpackshaker
but Laser Beam Eye Guy shoots Kinetic Energy not actual lasers.... so, no radiation...
still bad science.
still bad science.
#11
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
How the hell do his powers work again? I liked the old origin where it was just a heat beam created from his own mutant metabolism. Now its some weird bull-shit about being a portal to a non-einsteinium universe or what-ever. Its just weird to me.
#12
Azurephoenix
A wizard did it... problem solved
Azurephoenix
How the hell do his powers work again? I liked the old origin where it was just a heat beam created from his own mutant metabolism. Now its some weird bull-shit about being a portal to a non-einsteinium universe or what-ever. Its just weird to me.
A wizard did it... problem solved
#13
sixpackshaker
sixpackshaker
from teh wiki
Cyclops has the power to emit beams of energy from his eyes described as an "optic blast." The beams have the appearance of red light (i.e., electromagnetic radiation in a red wavelength); however, they do not give off heat and instead deliver concussive force without recoil. The beams are tremendously powerful and can be used to rupture steel plates and pulverize rock.
#14
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Still its also the power source of the ray that boggles me. And the fact that he has a psionic field that protects him and what not? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too specific.
#15
Gusto
Gusto
The "incredibly powerful force with no recoil" has Newton spinning in his grave.
#16
strawman
strawman
I think the real problem with discussing superpowers is that the stories aren't about superpowers. They are about real people with real problems, who just happen to have superpowers.
Superpower comic books are to teenage boys what twilight is to teenage girls.
[DOUBLEPOST=1349820516][/DOUBLEPOST]
Superpower comic books are to teenage boys what twilight is to teenage girls.
[DOUBLEPOST=1349820516][/DOUBLEPOST]
What powers his motion?The "incredibly powerful force with no recoil" has Newton spinning in his grave.
#17
Wahad
Wahad
The Syfy series Alphas does ''real superpowers'' very well. For example, there's a character that can be superstrong for a while by amping his Fight-or-Flight response. The negative side (beyond staying in the amp-state too long that carry physical penalties) is that he's got anger issues and isn't always aware of how much strength he possesses. Another has supersenses - i.e. can see down to a cellular level, smell even minute traces of things - but when one sense is heightened, all her others are ''shut off'' so to speak, and she has severe hypochondria issues because she can see germs and intimacy issues because kissing ''overloads'' her.
Yes, I'm using this post mostly an excuse to get more people to watch Alphas, because it's surprisingly awesome for a SyFy show, with amazing acting.
Yes, I'm using this post mostly an excuse to get more people to watch Alphas, because it's surprisingly awesome for a SyFy show, with amazing acting.
#18
Bowielee
Bowielee
There was an attempt to explain where all this stuff came from a few years back in Xmen, I believe. Essentially, it came down to all the energy and mass that was used came from some sort of pocket dimension that mutants had access to via their superpowers. So, Cyclop's eye beams were just chanelling energy from another dimension. Nightcrawler used the same pocket dimension for his teleportation. So, he basically translocates by moving through this pocket universe. This clashes with previous cannon for many characters though. Havoc, for instance, has been established for quite some time to basically be a battery for cosmic radiation which he can release. That's why he's needed a containment suit.How the hell do his powers work again? I liked the old origin where it was just a heat beam created from his own mutant metabolism. Now its some weird bull-shit about being a portal to a non-einsteinium universe or what-ever. Its just weird to me.
#19
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
So do all mutants have access to this pocket dimension or just a few? Because if its all I'd find it really weird for humans to mutate the ability to gain power from an alternate universe.There was an attempt to explain where all this stuff came from a few years back in Xmen, I believe. Essentially, it came down to all the energy and mass that was used came from some sort of pocket dimension that mutants had access to via their superpowers. So, Cyclop's eye beams were just chanelling energy from another dimension. Nightcrawler used the same pocket dimension for his teleportation. So, he basically translocates by moving through this pocket universe. This clashes with previous cannon for many characters though. Havoc, for instance, has been established for quite some time to basically be a battery for cosmic radiation which he can release. That's why he's needed a containment suit.
#20
AshburnerX
AshburnerX
I refuse to get attached to another SyFy show, because it's just going to get cancelled after 5 seasons like Eureka did, despite the high ratings and numerous awards and nominations. Until they are willing to support a hit show, I simply don't give a shit about their network.Yes, I'm using this post mostly an excuse to get more people to watch Alphas, because it's surprisingly awesome for a SyFy show, with amazing acting.
#21
Bowielee
Bowielee
5 seasons is a good run for any series.
#22
Wahad
moments (admittedly, after a bit of a slow start from s1), a whole five season run of the same would be simply amazing.
I don't know if the first season is on Netflix, but if it is, I would recommend checking it out anyway and form your own judgment.
Wahad
Yeah, I'd be satisfied after 5 seasons. Since Alphas is only in their second season (two episodes till the finale) and every episode is full of5 seasons is a good run for any series.
moments (admittedly, after a bit of a slow start from s1), a whole five season run of the same would be simply amazing.I don't know if the first season is on Netflix, but if it is, I would recommend checking it out anyway and form your own judgment.
#23
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Now how would Ice-man's cyrokinesis work? He would basically absorb heat from random things and freeze them? Or does he have the ability to magnetically attract water molecules? It baffles me.
#24
Frank
Frank
After a conversation with Matt Frewer a buddy of mine had (completely by accident, they sat next to each other on a flight after the Calgary Comic-con) apparently Eureka was tremendously overbudget and no amount of ratings could have saved it.I refuse to get attached to another SyFy show, because it's just going to get cancelled after 5 seasons like Eureka did, despite the high ratings and numerous awards and nominations. Until they are willing to support a hit show, I simply don't give a shit about their network.
#25
Ravenpoe
Ravenpoe
They've explained that in the comic a few times (though, no telling if it's been retconned into something else since last I read). Iceman's power is basically total energy manipulation, the level of which puts him as among the most powerful mutants alive, next to Jean Grey in phoenix form and Magneto. The fact that it only manifests as ice generation is because he's a chronic under-achiever.Now how would Ice-man's cyrokinesis work? He would basically absorb heat from random things and freeze them? Or does he have the ability to magnetically attract water molecules? It baffles me.
#26
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
...wow. I have the strongest urge to go to Marvel Universe and beat up Ice man now. Born with one of the best mutant abilities of all time...fails to utilize it to its full potential. Just wow.The fact that it only manifests as ice generation is because he's a chronic under-achiever.
#27
Ravenpoe
On the subject of Cyclops, it had been stated in the past that there's no reason he shouldn't be able to control his eye blasts. Other characters that have in some fashion absorbed or stolen the power from him have been able to control it (with the exception of Rogue, who also takes the knowledge of how to use it, and thus carries the same flaws). The only reason he can't is because of some mental block or other form of neuroses.
Ravenpoe
Powers in the x-men universe have always been written as a part of the psychological makeup of the wielder. Cyclops can't control his eye blasts, hence he's an insufferable control freak. The powers were meant to be metaphors for the internal conflict the characters were going through....wow. I have the strongest urge to go to Marvel Universe and beat up Ice man now. Born with one of the best mutant abilities of all time...fails to utilize it to its full potential. Just wow.
On the subject of Cyclops, it had been stated in the past that there's no reason he shouldn't be able to control his eye blasts. Other characters that have in some fashion absorbed or stolen the power from him have been able to control it (with the exception of Rogue, who also takes the knowledge of how to use it, and thus carries the same flaws). The only reason he can't is because of some mental block or other form of neuroses.
#28
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
So with that logic why don't these guys just see a damn psychotherapist? In-fact, that would be a neat story! TOO LATE MARVEL! Me and Poe are taking it.
#29
Ravenpoe
Some of them have had therapy with Doc Samson.
Ravenpoe
So with that logic why don't these guys just see a damn psychotherapist? In-fact, that would be a neat story! TOO LATE MARVEL! Me and Poe are taking it.
Some of them have had therapy with Doc Samson.
#30
bhamv3
bhamv3
Heh, superhero shrinks.
"So, Mr. Batman, let's start from the beginning. Tell me about your parents."
"MY PARENTS ARE DEEAAAD!!"
"So, Mr. Batman, let's start from the beginning. Tell me about your parents."
"MY PARENTS ARE DEEAAAD!!"
#31
Ravenpoe
Ravenpoe
Scarecrow is a psychologist and Harley is a psychiatrist.Heh, superhero shrinks.
"So, Mr. Batman, let's start from the beginning. Tell me about your parents."
"MY PARENTS ARE DEEAAAD!!"
#32
bhamv3
"MY PARENTS ARE DEEAAAD!!" *POW*
bhamv3
In that case...Scarecrow is a psychologist and Harley is a psychiatrist.
"MY PARENTS ARE DEEAAAD!!" *POW*
#33
Wahad
Wahad
Was. I don't think Harley does a lot of shrinking anymore.Scarecrow is a psychologist and Harley is a psychiatrist.
#34
AshburnerX
AshburnerX
It's also implied that Harley slept her way to her degree. This is one of the reasons the Joker was able to turn her so easily; she didn't recognize what he was doing, which she WOULD have if she'd have actually earned her degree.Was. I don't think Harley does a lot of shrinking anymore.
#35
Tiger Tsang
Then again, there's been so many retcon's in the X-Verse *angels and demons spit* who knows anymore.
Tiger Tsang
I thought Cyclops took a shot to the head parachuting out of the crashing plane that he thought his father died in.Powers in the x-men universe have always been written as a part of the psychological makeup of the wielder. Cyclops can't control his eye blasts, hence he's an insufferable control freak. The powers were meant to be metaphors for the internal conflict the characters were going through.
On the subject of Cyclops, it had been stated in the past that there's no reason he shouldn't be able to control his eye blasts. Other characters that have in some fashion absorbed or stolen the power from him have been able to control it (with the exception of Rogue, who also takes the knowledge of how to use it, and thus carries the same flaws). The only reason he can't is because of some mental block or other form of neuroses.
Then again, there's been so many retcon's in the X-Verse *angels and demons spit* who knows anymore.
#36
Ravenpoe
Then again, it's been awhile since I read x-men comics, so who knows what the story is now.
Ravenpoe
I think at some point, it was said to have been healed, but he still had some kind of mental block that kept him from controlling it.I thought Cyclops took a shot to the head parachuting out of the crashing plane that he thought his father died in.
Then again, there's been so many retcon's in the X-Verse *angels and demons spit* who knows anymore.
Then again, it's been awhile since I read x-men comics, so who knows what the story is now.
#37
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
On Wolverine's regeneration, how many calories would it take for him to heal that fast? I would assume a lot.
#38
Ravenpoe
One of the Ultimate Iron Man's had an interesting regeneration power, with a body that was basically all stem cells that were constantly regenerating. This gave him a much higher metabolism, and required him to eat a lot, and in the event of a severed limb or other such catastrophic damage would require that he eat large amounts of protein to repair the damage.
This was how he managed to survive getting knocked around in that big iron suit.
Ravenpoe
Wolverine's regeneration is pocket-universe based, with the matter coming from 'elsewhere'. He's regenerated from a single cell before, as ridiculous as that fucking is.On Wolverine's regeneration, how many calories would it take for him to heal that fast? I would assume a lot.
One of the Ultimate Iron Man's had an interesting regeneration power, with a body that was basically all stem cells that were constantly regenerating. This gave him a much higher metabolism, and required him to eat a lot, and in the event of a severed limb or other such catastrophic damage would require that he eat large amounts of protein to repair the damage.
This was how he managed to survive getting knocked around in that big iron suit.
#39
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Ravenpoe Pocket-universe based? Whaaaaaaaaaaa? Are there weaknesses to it?
I like Ultimate Iron Man's regeneration though, that makes sense to me. Kind-of like the Gourmet cells from Toriko.
I like Ultimate Iron Man's regeneration though, that makes sense to me. Kind-of like the Gourmet cells from Toriko.
#40
GasBandit
GasBandit
You want to talk ridiculous, they need to figure out what Wolverine's pants were made out of in X-Men 3, cause Phoenix was burning everything else off of him but the pants didn't even singe. They need to use that material to make heat shields for space shuttles.Wolverine's regeneration is pocket-universe based, with the matter coming from 'elsewhere'. He's regenerated from a single cell before, as ridiculous as that fucking is.
#41
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Or whatever pants the Hulk wears! He can wear some generally durable pants from time to time.You want to talk ridiculous, they need to figure out what Wolverine's pants were made out of in X-Men 3, cause Phoenix was burning everything else off of him but the pants didn't even singe. They need to use that material to make heat shields for space shuttles.
#42
strawman
strawman
I'm pretty sure if they were female the pants would have burned off completely.
#43
blotsfan
blotsfan
I had this book a while ago. I think you'd like it yoshi.
http://www.google.com/shopping/prod...a=X&ei=MSt3UMKCCuGSyQHY5ICADg&ved=0CGAQ8wIwAA
http://www.google.com/shopping/prod...a=X&ei=MSt3UMKCCuGSyQHY5ICADg&ved=0CGAQ8wIwAA
#44
strawman
Amazon product
Hilariously, the author added his own "review" discussing the background of getting the book to print:
strawman
Pretty mediocre reviews at amazon.com though:I had this book a while ago. I think you'd like it yoshi.
http://www.google.com/shopping/product/11970339951218163499?q=the science behind the x-men&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHFA_enUS485US485&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=2f5d1a9483b529c6&bpcl=35243188&biw=1158&bih=561&tch=1&ech=1&psi=Kyt3UO_lJI6WyAHcqYCABg.1349987141725.3&sa=X&ei=MSt3UMKCCuGSyQHY5ICADg&ved=0CGAQ8wIwAA
Amazon product
Hilariously, the author added his own "review" discussing the background of getting the book to print:
The story behind the book is probably more interesting than the book itself. For starters, let me tell you that Karen whatsername had nothing whatsoever to do with this book. Byron Preiss (recently deceased), the publisher, put her name on this because she is the WIFE of ROBERT SILVERBERG, famous SF author. He hoped that if he hired her as a copyeditor, Silverberg would look it over. Not only did Silverberg ignore it, so did she.
If this thing was copyedited, then why all the terrible typos?
This thing wasn't even SPELLCHECKED!
I rewrote this like, five times. Preiss took incomplete drafts from different rewrites of various chapters, and put them together OUT OF SEQUENCE so they contradict each other in places.
I have yet to receive complete payment after over FIVE YEARS.
Now that Byron is dead, I guess I will never get paid.
Well, it was nice to be able to say I wrote a book, but the unnerving experience of being screamed at by Byron's neurotic assistant editor who had never edited a book before, hardly made the task a joy. The result is so slapdash that I have never been able to open the covers and actually read it. GAD, there are so many TYPOS!
BYRON PREISS had a reputation and as soon I signed the contract and announced it to various zines and groups, other authors who had worked for Byron began to approach me to warn me about hiim.
So none of it came as a suprise. I KNEW what I was in for. But that didn't make it any more pleasant.
But...good things came of it, so it was well worth it. My nerves jangled for some time afterward, but that's life in the publishing biz in New York City. A real contest of egos. It is easy to face them down and I did so many times (all so childish) but it is so TRYING. It is a foolish way to do business. No adult should interact with another like a schoolyard bully.
I feel there is some good text in the book. Some very funny stuff. All the research I did on the characters was thrown out. The science is uneven because some chapters are, as I say, incomplete drafts. But I tried to write a lot of funny stuff. The editor felt it was unprofessional and kept cutting it out. I kept putting it in. After awhile I think he gave up. The editor was Byron's assistant, I think his name was Dwight. I've blocked him out. He was so shrill and brittle. Poor man. He must have been suffering the major brunt of forces above far more shrill than he. And he could NOT have been making much money. So he was trying to rush thru my little book as fast as possible because time was money. He had a dozen other projects that were on deadline and no time for me.
SO, if you want to be a writer, I warn you as I was warned--be prepared for everything I have described. It is a common story.
Not so bad in the scale of things. People are starving in Africa, the world is full of terrorists...In the scale of things.
Thanks for reading,
My best to you all,
=link
#45
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
How can anyone who is invulnerable walk around normally? To be what is considered invulnerable you'd have to have a high molecular density or a force field of equal molecular density. If I had that much mass in that small a frame, I would break EVERYTHING! Supes must have took some mad training to handle his strength.
Edit: And that does look like a neat read.
Edit: And that does look like a neat read.
#46
blotsfan
blotsfan
Very possible. I think I was about 10 when I got it so I very well may have missed a lot of errors and issues. I just remember a lot of it was pretty cool.Pretty mediocre reviews at amazon.com though:
#47
Gared
Gared
Apparently NPR is running (I think sometime today, maybe? I dunno, it was on a twitter feed, there's only so many details you can fit in 140 characters) a special called Spider-math and Bat-physics; discussing exactly this topic.
#48
AshburnerX
- Support large machines from a single, small point without ripping them in half (such as grabbing a falling crane by it's cable without having the cable snap)
- Grab a falling person without matching speed and direction (This is why Lois Lane doesn't shatter her spine every time Supes saves her)
- Support a fallen building without having the building collapse at other points
- Swinging around large objects (trees, pillars, columns, steel beams, etc) without having them snap in two.
In other words, Superman can do blatantly impossible things with his strength because he's literally holding things together just by touching them. I imagine his flight powers would allow him to reduce his effective weight as well.
AshburnerX
Superman's strength has been explained as imparting a kind of structural integrity/inertial dampening field over anything he's touching. This allows him to...How can anyone who is invulnerable walk around normally? To be what is considered invulnerable you'd have to have a high molecular density or a force field of equal molecular density. If I had that much mass in that small a frame, I would break EVERYTHING! Supes must have took some mad training to handle his strength.
Edit: And that does look like a neat read.
- Support large machines from a single, small point without ripping them in half (such as grabbing a falling crane by it's cable without having the cable snap)
- Grab a falling person without matching speed and direction (This is why Lois Lane doesn't shatter her spine every time Supes saves her)
- Support a fallen building without having the building collapse at other points
- Swinging around large objects (trees, pillars, columns, steel beams, etc) without having them snap in two.
In other words, Superman can do blatantly impossible things with his strength because he's literally holding things together just by touching them. I imagine his flight powers would allow him to reduce his effective weight as well.
#49
Yoshimickster
How about Golden Age Super man or the Kree? Their molecularly dense right? How would they control their mass?
Yoshimickster
Even with that explanation, Kryptonian physiology baffles the hell out of me.Superman's strength has been explained as imparting a kind of structural integrity/inertial dampening field over anything he's touching. This allows him to...
- Support large machines from a single, small point without ripping them in half (such as grabbing a falling crane by it's cable without having the cable snap)
- Grab a falling person without matching speed and direction (This is why Lois Lane doesn't shatter her spine every time Supes saves her)
- Support a fallen building without having the building collapse at other points
- Swinging around large objects (trees, pillars, columns, steel beams, etc) without having them snap in two.
In other words, Superman can do blatantly impossible things with his strength because he's literally holding things together just by touching them. I imagine his flight powers would allow him to reduce his effective weight as well.
How about Golden Age Super man or the Kree? Their molecularly dense right? How would they control their mass?
#50
GasBandit
GasBandit
... but wouldn't that make him unable to cause damage with his bare hands?Superman's strength has been explained as imparting a kind of structural integrity/inertial dampening field over anything he's touching. This allows him to...
- Support large machines from a single, small point without ripping them in half (such as grabbing a falling crane by it's cable without having the cable snap)
- Grab a falling person without matching speed and direction (This is why Lois Lane doesn't shatter her spine every time Supes saves her)
- Support a fallen building without having the building collapse at other points
- Swinging around large objects (trees, pillars, columns, steel beams, etc) without having them snap in two.
#51
Bowielee
Tactile Telekenesis is the term they use.
Bowielee
This all pretty much came about in explaining Superboy's powers. I think it's a clever way to explain all the physically impossible stuff that Superman does.Superman's strength has been explained as imparting a kind of structural integrity/inertial dampening field over anything he's touching. This allows him to...
- Support large machines from a single, small point without ripping them in half (such as grabbing a falling crane by it's cable without having the cable snap)
- Grab a falling person without matching speed and direction (This is why Lois Lane doesn't shatter her spine every time Supes saves her)
- Support a fallen building without having the building collapse at other points
- Swinging around large objects (trees, pillars, columns, steel beams, etc) without having them snap in two.
In other words, Superman can do blatantly impossible things with his strength because he's literally holding things together just by touching them. I imagine his flight powers would allow him to reduce his effective weight as well.
Tactile Telekenesis is the term they use.
#52
Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh
Must.... explain.... scientific... knowledge.... of.... comic.... book.... super.... powers.....
Who and why would bother explaining in scientific terms how super powers work? I mean for a fun discussion its great, but actually doing it in the comic books?
Who and why would bother explaining in scientific terms how super powers work? I mean for a fun discussion its great, but actually doing it in the comic books?
#53
AshburnerX
He doesn't need to be dense because of the field. It's also why he doesn't suddenly start cracking pavement when under red light or kryptonite: the field is what makes him strong, not his muscles, so he clearly weighs roughly the same as a human of comparative size.
The only thing that confuses me about Kryptonian physiology is where does he get the energy to shoot his heat vision? Does he have an organ that allows him to transform his chemical energy (generates by his cells being exposed to yellow sunlight) into a light that focuses through his eyes to become a laser? If so, why did Kryptonian's develop this if they existed in an environment that wouldn't let them do this? It almost makes it seem like Kryptonians were developed as living weapons and then got dumped onto a planet lit by a red sun when they weren't needed anymore.
AshburnerX
Except Superman isn't dense, because the same thing that allows him to keep things together when he touches them is also what keeps HIM together when he's getting shot at. Bullets and explosions can't penetrate his skin because of the field, but he's still able to be knocked around by them. I'm guessing he's able to rip things apart ether because his field is stronger than the one he generates in things he holds or he's somehow actively willing it off.Even with that explanation, Kryptonian physiology baffles the hell out of me.
How about Golden Age Super man or the Kree? Their molecularly dense right? How would they control their mass?
He doesn't need to be dense because of the field. It's also why he doesn't suddenly start cracking pavement when under red light or kryptonite: the field is what makes him strong, not his muscles, so he clearly weighs roughly the same as a human of comparative size.
The only thing that confuses me about Kryptonian physiology is where does he get the energy to shoot his heat vision? Does he have an organ that allows him to transform his chemical energy (generates by his cells being exposed to yellow sunlight) into a light that focuses through his eyes to become a laser? If so, why did Kryptonian's develop this if they existed in an environment that wouldn't let them do this? It almost makes it seem like Kryptonians were developed as living weapons and then got dumped onto a planet lit by a red sun when they weren't needed anymore.
#54
Bowielee
Bowielee
I would say that Superman himself could have been a genetic anomoly, but that doesn't explain why Zod and Supergirl have the same powers.
#55
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Kryptonian evolution vexes me to this day.
Now the explanation from what I've heard is that Kryptonians have evolved mass electromagnetic and radiation inside them. So the heat beams come from his own radioactive body. Though...if they are composed almost completely of radiation why does kryptonite weaken them? I could see make their powers go out of control but not weaken.The only thing that confuses me about Kryptonian physiology is where does he get the energy to shoot his heat vision? Does he have an organ that allows him to transform his chemical energy (generates by his cells being exposed to yellow sunlight) into a light that focuses through his eyes to become a laser? If so, why did Kryptonian's develop this if they existed in an environment that wouldn't let them do this? It almost makes it seem like Kryptonians were developed as living weapons and then got dumped onto a planet lit by a red sun when they weren't needed anymore.
#56
AshburnerX
AshburnerX
Okay, but WHY would they they develop such abilities? It's not like they can tap into these powers while under the red sun of Krypton, so unless it's just a random mutation that stuck around because it wasn't affecting them, I don't see why they'd have developed that.
#57
bhamv3
bhamv3
Or maybe they were tapping into these powers, except under a red sun the effect was so weak it was negligible. Only under a yellow sun do the powers actually do any damage.
Maybe it's kinda like how our human bodies generate their own heat, right? But we've also got heat management measures. That's why we don't overheat when we step out into the sun. We absorb heat from the sun, but our bodies also get rid of the heat through sweating and stuff. But, generally speaking, we don't feel heat coming from other people, unless we're really close.
So maybe Kryptonians can, indeed, absorb some solar radiation and release it from their bodies, but the overall effect is as negligible as when we take in heat from the sun and sweat it off. Only when Kryptonians are exposed to a yellow sun do the powers get amped up.
I dunno, I'm just speculating here.
Maybe it's kinda like how our human bodies generate their own heat, right? But we've also got heat management measures. That's why we don't overheat when we step out into the sun. We absorb heat from the sun, but our bodies also get rid of the heat through sweating and stuff. But, generally speaking, we don't feel heat coming from other people, unless we're really close.
So maybe Kryptonians can, indeed, absorb some solar radiation and release it from their bodies, but the overall effect is as negligible as when we take in heat from the sun and sweat it off. Only when Kryptonians are exposed to a yellow sun do the powers get amped up.
I dunno, I'm just speculating here.
#58
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Hey I'm not saying its not fucking ridiculous, I'm by what I know. To me Krypton shouldn't have evolved ANY form of life. Incredbly high gravity, too close to the step away from super nova son, massivley radioactive planetary core, its just deadly! Kryptonians go against all basis of scientific evolution and make absoutely no sense. I mean really, why would a a species evolve MICROSCOPIC VISION! I can buy heat beams for primordial flame making purposes, but micro-vision is a bit of a push. If they were magic, I would by it but no.Okay, but WHY would they they develop such abilities? It's not like they can tap into these powers while under the red sun of Krypton, so unless it's just a random mutation that stuck around because it wasn't affecting them, I don't see why they'd have developed that.
#59
Gusto
Gusto
Ughhhhh Earth's sun is not yellow.
#60
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
True, but in the DC universe their sun is and Kryptonians be super powered from it and what-not.Ughhhhh Earth's sun is not yellow.
#61
strawman
If we lived under a more "yellow" sun we'd certainly define that as "white" and for all intents and purposes it would be.
strawman
It's classified as a yellow dwarf. The light it emits is "white" simply by virtue of our human brain interpretting the combinations of its electromagnetic emissions as white.Ughhhhh Earth's sun is not yellow.
If we lived under a more "yellow" sun we'd certainly define that as "white" and for all intents and purposes it would be.
#62
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Shape-shifting! This has always bothered me. How unstable would your body have to be in order to be able physically alter itself as quick as some of these guys do? Hell Richards invented unstable molecule dealies in order to deal with it.
Edit: Also, would any shape shifter have a "base-form"? I mean if something had the ability to shape change 0n a molecular level I don't see how it could ever go back to one hundred percent exactly like it was before.
Edit: Also, would any shape shifter have a "base-form"? I mean if something had the ability to shape change 0n a molecular level I don't see how it could ever go back to one hundred percent exactly like it was before.
#63
Bowielee
Bowielee
Ahem....
#64
Yoshimickster
Yoshimickster
Someone had to post this joke sooner or later. In that respect Bowielee you are a hero.