Do you think people in this world are ready to possess superhuman abilities?

[wilson]

Just as the question states above. Can humans, in general, handle having superpowers and using them? When I say "superpowers", I mean picking up cars, shooting lasers out of the eyes, mind-reading, emit fire from the palms, telekinesis, mind-control, etc. Give you opininion on whether or not people in this world are mentally ready to gain superpowers without becoming corrupted.
 
In other words, basically what I'm asking is, if you had the choice, would you want ALL human beings on this planet (regardless of race, gender, religion, alignment, etc.) to suddenly gain a superpowers or is that not such a good idea?

[Marvelous Miscreant]

No. A big, unfiltered "NO". Humans (as a whole) can't handle it.

[Philote]

Agreed

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Have you ever heard of Dunbar's number?

It's an interesting thing, related to how primate brains store information.  It is based on data from other primate groups where there is a strong correlation between group size and the size of the brain's neocortex. Basically, the bigger the Neocortex in a species of ape, the lager the groups those apes form. You can predict the among of monkeys that will band together, based on the size of a certain part of their brain.

Dunbar's number, for human beings, is around 150. That's the hard, biological limit on the number of stable social relationships a human being can have. That's not 150 people that you like. That's not 150 people that you see often. Those 150 people are the only people your brain can recognize as being other living breathing human beings. Everyone else you meet? Bit parts, extras in the movie that is your life. Unimportant. May as well be cardboard cutouts. Or ants.

That's why you're not constantly sad about children starving to death in Africa, but feel upset when your pet gets hit by a car. The pet was one of your 150.

So no, I don't think superpowers are a good idea.

[Whd]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Myself]

I agree with WHD here.

It is actually a point of debate in reference to New Beginning.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

 Hehe, indeed. Humans as a whole aren't nearly ready for superhuman capability.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

Personally, I'd totally go super villain if I developed superpowers. Either that or sell my services to the army.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Well, I guess it really depends on what powers I got. If strong enough to bend reality and whatnot, I'd probably temporarily help with a few world problems (hunger, poverty etc), and then just take off. Otherwise, I might have to become a moral-grey vigilante.

Unless I got something dumb like Sweater Vision. Then, I'd be a model citizen...

[Whd]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

I'd be full on evil....I'm fairly certain I could not resist the temptation to steal and cheat. Reigning destruction on cities for fun.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

[Marvelous Miscreant]

What?

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The thought is frightening...

[Marvelous Miscreant]

What? Evil Marv? Why?

[Whd]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

I think you may overestimate the power of your word's influence on me....just saying.

[Whd]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

Oh I see, you assume you would have superpowers as well in this situation. But I was referring to a hypothetical world in which only I had superpowers...your words would not deter me from evil.

[Whd]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.