# Super-vision or super-hearing?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [June 19, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045 "2011-06-19T17:07:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/21 "2011-06-20T17:03:53Z")
Super vision would be nice to win some big poker money, though you would really need to train yourself to avoid looking like a guy who can see all the cards. OK for looking at boobies, but then, of course, you’re still staring at her chest, so it’s not like you really get away with anything.
Super Hearing, I guess you could get some serious corporate intel, but you have to know who to listen to and when. Perhaps eavesdrop on a pre-announcement meeting and trade on the info, but you’ll have the SEC on your ass.
I’ll take the vision.
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### Author:  [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/22 "2011-06-20T17:54:11Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> Even looking at only the perky boobies will eventually grow old.
Objection! Assumes facts not in evidence.
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### Author:  [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/23 "2011-06-20T18:30:52Z")
I’ve been told many times that I need supervision. So that’s my choice.
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### Author:  [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/24 "2011-06-20T19:26:56Z")
Supe hearing for me. The ability to turn it off and get a good night’s sleep appeals more than anything else.
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### Author:  [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/25 "2011-06-20T22:26:06Z")
I went with hearing. When I was in grade school, whenever they mentioned Helen Keller, they quoted her saying that of the two, losing one’s hearing was worse than losing sight, that if she could keep one, it would be hearing.
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### Author:  [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/26 "2011-06-24T02:50:56Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#):
>
> As usual, my choice is determined by what lends itself best to get-rich-quick schemes. In this case, super-hearing – just set up shop anywhere near some corporate/government/financial headquarters, tune in to whatever ‘this information must not leave this room!’-meeting is on, and then sell that information to rival corporations/governments/financial agencies.
Learn to lip read and there you go.
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### Author:  [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/27 "2011-06-24T04:00:33Z")
You got me with penetra vision. Isn’t it obvious why?
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### Author:  [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/28 "2011-06-24T06:03:33Z")
I picked super-vision, but there’s lots of money to be made with insider trading with super-hearing. You could listen in on deals being made in the building across the street, and not even work with that company! Or even several floors away in an unrelated company.
You could get work as hunting guide, or as a spy somewhere too. Or sit on the DMZ in Korea and just listen to the breeze. Or be a crime fighter for the police! Go eat in a mob-run restaurant or casino or something. Hmmmm… I wonder if you could pick combination safes with super-hearing?
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [June 26, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/29 "2011-06-26T22:46:27Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#):
>
> I picked super-vision, but there’s lots of money to be made with insider trading with super-hearing. You could listen in on deals being made in the building across the street, and not even work with that company! Or even several floors away in an unrelated company.
>
> You could get work as hunting guide, or as a spy somewhere too. Or sit on the DMZ in Korea and just listen to the breeze. Or be a crime fighter for the police! Go eat in a mob-run restaurant or casino or something. Hmmmm… I wonder if you could pick combination safes with super-hearing?
You want to be a crime-fighter with super-hearing as your only power? Are you feverish?
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### Author:  [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/30 "2011-06-27T03:16:18Z")
Hey, it’s one more power than Batman has, and just think, if Batman could always hear his enemies’ plans, he’d always be prepared! He’d be undefeatable!
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/31 "2011-06-28T16:46:26Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#):
>
> Hey, it’s one more power than Batman has, and just think, if Batman could always hear his enemies’ plans, he’d always be prepared! He’d be undefeatable!
Batman’s – no let’s be specific-- Bruce Wayne’s preparations get used against him and his friends as often as not.
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/32 "2011-06-28T17:03:43Z")
I’ve worn glasses since I was ten years old and have bad vision as far as I can remember. I’d love to have even 20/20 normal vision without correction, so of course the supervision.
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/33 "2011-06-28T17:09:03Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> I’ve worn glasses since I was ten years old and have bad vision as far as I can remember. I’d love to have even 20/20 normal vision without correction, so of course the supervision.
I’ve worn glasses for the same length of time – well, longer, since I’m older than you. Since the same age. I suspect i’d have a hard time adjusting to life without glasses; taking them off feels unnatural.
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### Author:  [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/34 "2011-06-28T17:49:11Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> Batman’s – no let’s be specific-- Bruce Wayne’s preparations get used against him and his friends as often as not.
Taking memes literally: minus infinity points.
You lose the internet.😛
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/35 "2011-06-28T19:07:11Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> I’ve worn glasses for the same length of time – well, longer, since I’m older than you. Since the same age. I suspect i’d have a hard time adjusting to life without glasses; taking them off feels unnatural.
I have worn contacts for multiple years, multiple times. I would be thrilled to go without.
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### Author:  [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/36 "2011-06-28T20:15:03Z")
Unsupervised super-vision.
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### Author:  [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/37 "2011-06-28T20:17:52Z")
Super vision, no question. Free live porn anytime I want, just pick a random direction to look around 9 or 10 at night. Beautiful.
I could also diagnose my own medical issues, if I can zoom in like an electron microscope on my lymph nodes for example. Or spot blood clots before they become obstructions.
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/38 "2011-06-28T20:20:38Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#):
>
> Super vision, no question. Free live porn anytime I want, just pick a random direction to look around 9 or 10 at night. Beautiful.
>
> I could also diagnose my own medical issues, if I can zoom in like an electron microscope on my lymph nodes for example. Or spot blood clots before they become obstructions.
Even aside from the issue of getting the proper angle (you’d have just super-vision, after all, not Reed Richard’s stretchiness), I’m doubtful that you’d have the expertise to do that unless you’re a doctor. Here’s a [blog post](http://www.politedissent.com/archives/5551)mocking Superman’s supposed abilities in diagnosis.
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### Author:  [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/39 "2011-06-28T22:48:32Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> Even aside from the issue of getting the proper angle (you’d have just super-vision, after all, not Reed Richard’s stretchiness), I’m doubtful that you’d have the expertise to do that unless you’re a doctor. Here’s a [blog post](http://www.politedissent.com/archives/5551)mocking Superman’s supposed abilities in diagnosis.
Foiled by a foppish pimpernel! Blast and ham! 🆒
I’d still keep the super-vision, because sound travels too slowly compared to light.
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### Author:  [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-vision-or-super-hearing/586045/40 "2011-06-28T23:43:34Z")
There’s a funny bit in Nicholson Baker’s book _The Fermata_ about how x-ray vision wouldn’t be very erotic. I believe the phrase was something like “nipples smushed up like a passenger’s face against a bus window.” Well, he wrote it better but the point stands.
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