fpb: (Athena of Pireus)
fpb ([personal profile] fpb) wrote2013-08-18 06:37 pm
Entry tags:

In real life...

...superheroes would become something not unlike a global protection racket. They would protect us, but there would be a price to pay.

[identity profile] ravenclaw-eric.livejournal.com 2013-08-19 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
Or they might turn into something like the outfit Ultraman heads up in his alternate universe. There's nothing about being super-powered that makes a person nice, after all.

[identity profile] affablestranger.livejournal.com 2013-08-19 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
There's always a price, yes. One way or another.
ext_1059: (Agrippa)

[identity profile] shezan.livejournal.com 2013-08-19 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
How is this different from reality?

[identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com 2013-08-20 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
Well, for a start the physical dangers to objecting to the current order are rather lower. Yes, I know, even if you are Edward Snowden. I am hatching a superhero story on these premises, and the point is that you could not really oppose in any meaningful sense unless you had powers yourself.

[identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com 2013-08-20 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
I think the corruption might be more complex. Pirates and bandits can always be taken down, but suppose you had an outfit around that has basically won World War Two for you and then gone on to plough clear through to Moscow and put Stalin and his henchmen under trial. Wouldn't you say that most people would just regard them as a force for good, and not bother too much about excessive influence, limitations to freedom, and dangerous back-scratching?

[identity profile] ravenclaw-eric.livejournal.com 2013-08-20 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Very, very good point. And for the supers themselves, even good intentions might not be enough...rationalization is very easy, after all. "Hey, we did all these great things, don't we deserve some rewards?"

[identity profile] kennybhoy.livejournal.com 2013-08-21 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Indeed. Beat me to it there...
:-)

[identity profile] kennybhoy.livejournal.com 2013-08-21 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Define "meaningful"...?

'At last one came running, and told them all was lost: that the powers of darkness had besieged the Heavenly Mansions, that Odin was to die, and evil triumph.

“I have been grossly deceived,” cried the virtuous person.

“All is lost now,” said the priest.

“I wonder if it is too late to make it up with the devil?” said the virtuous person.

“Oh, I hope not,” said the priest. “And at any rate we can but try. But what are you doing with your axe?” says he to the rover.

“I am off to die with Odin,” said the rover.'

[identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com 2013-08-21 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
If Odin is corrupt, who shall be able to indict him?

[identity profile] kennybhoy.livejournal.com 2013-08-21 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't know what happened there...? My 17:13:53 post was addressed to Shezan.

[identity profile] kennybhoy.livejournal.com 2013-08-21 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Which Odin? Eddaic or Wagnerian? :-)



[identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com 2013-08-21 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I've known this kind of mistake to happen. I have no idea how to avoid it.

[identity profile] fpb.livejournal.com 2013-08-21 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Kirbyan, of course. I didn't say Odhinn or Wotan or Godan, did I now?

[identity profile] kennybhoy.livejournal.com 2013-08-22 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Touche Maister B! Led with my chin there! :-)