Overview
The discussion explores hypothetical superpowers, each paired with a humorous or inconvenient side effect, weighing whether they remain desirable or become curses as a result.
Flying (with Side Effect: Only a Flying Head)
- The superpower of flying is undermined by the side effect of being reduced to just a flying head.
- This significant limitation is perceived as comedic but still somewhat viable for the speaker.
Telekinesis (with Side Effect: Only Works on Burgers)
- Telekinesis is limited to manipulating only burgers, drastically reducing its typical utility.
- Creative solutions are proposed, like encasing burgers in resin to use them as tools, showing adaptability.
- Despite the limitation, the power is considered still worthwhile, albeit with restrictions.
Bringing Characters to Life (with Side Effect: They Hate You)
- The ability to create fictional characters is spoiled by the consequence that each one dislikes the creator.
- Attempts to circumvent the problem by creating enemies or other dynamics result in dissatisfaction.
- The power is eventually deemed unenjoyable with the side effect.
Healing Anything with the Mind (with Side Effect: Only After Eating Grass Clippings)
- This desirable healing power requires eating grass clippings before use, making it socially awkward and nutritionally unsound.
- The need for secrecy is emphasized due to the odd prerequisite.
- Ultimately, the benefit is judged to outweigh the drawbacks, though it is less appealing.
Re-experiencing Shows (with Side Effect: Lose Interest Before Watching)
- The power to forget and re-watch shows is likened to a curse, potentially trapping users in endless repetition.
- The side effect of losing interest before re-watching is seen as a partial improvement, mitigating the curse-like aspect.
Art Realization (with Side Effect: Only Will Smith Can Be Drawn)
- The wish to manifest art exactly as imagined is restricted to drawing only Will Smith.
- This constraint is recognized as completely undermining the superpower, rendering it undesirable.
Mimicry (with Side Effect: Lose Unique Form)
- Shapeshifting or mimicry comes with the permanent loss of a unique identity.
- This is debated as not necessarily negative and may itself be a form of uniqueness, thus still appealing to the speaker.
Invisibility (with Side Effect: Only When Unobserved)
- Invisibility works only when nobody is looking, making it practically useless.
- This is dismissed as a curse rather than a viable superpower.
Appearing in a Video (with Side Effect: The Creator Hates You)
- The ability to appear in an "Ice Cream Sandwich" video results in being disliked by the creator.
- This final example highlights the recurring theme of side-effect-induced irony in superpowers.