# Supergirl and cornstarch **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746 "2016-03-12T16:21:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/41 "2016-03-15T13:27:11Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > In certain continuities, Lois and Clark can have kids, which is close enough for me. Yeah, that _really_ shouldn’t be happening, all “Woman of Kleenex” issues aside. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/42 "2016-03-15T14:01:40Z")
> [@tracer](#): > > At some point in the Superman comics’ history, the explanation was that Superman’s costume was made from special indestructible fabric that was sent along with baby Kal-El on his spaceship. Ma Kent couldn’t use her sewing machine to turn it into a costume; Superboy had to use his heat vision to weld it together. > > Which **should** theoretically mean that a Kryptonian villain with heat vision – or any sufficiently intense heat source, for that matter – should be able to mess up Superman’s costume. Yet these same comics sometimes mention that Superman flies through the core of the sun (while still wearing his costume) to give himself a refreshing bath\*. Go figure. They explained this in a “it’s consistant” (although it’s still stupid) way. There are, on Pre-Crisis Earth 1, different _kinds_ of heat. Flash’s aura, for example, protects him from friction-heat, but not fire-heat or giant-magnifying-glass heat. Why? Because. Ignoring the stories where Green-K was indestructible ('cause it was from Krypton), Green K couldn’t be hurt by friction (so it could fall through our atmosphere, but _could_ be melted with heat vision, or in crucibles (except, as mentioned, when invulnerable). Martian Manhunter: immune to heat, vulnerable to fire (and no psychology reason, back then. It’s just that flames hurt him, but a smoldering coal wouldn’t) So–Superman’s costume is immune to the sun’s heat, but not to heat-vision heat. Because heat doesn’t equal heat on Pre-Crisis, Earth 1. Doesn’t make sense, but consistent except when it wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/43 "2016-03-15T14:38:47Z")
I’m just amused by the OP’s confusion about how something can be tough, yet feminine. I suggest he bring up the subject with, say, a woman giving birth (I also suggest he update his will and have his affairs in order before doing so …) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/44 "2016-03-15T14:54:13Z")
“Person” is not synonymous with “human”. It is close to synonymous with “sophont” or “hnau” (in fact, I strongly suspect sure that two of those three are exactly synonymous, though I’m not sure which two). Superman is not a human, but he is a person, a sophont, and a hnau. > [@](#): > > Quoth **MrDibble** : > > No, that’s inter-species sex between variously-diversified members of genus Homo. It’s still within-clade, as your own cite acknowledges: “sexual practice outside one’s own species but within the intelligent hominoids”. Common descent is the key. > > Someone fucking Speaker-To-Animals would not be doing rishathra. Or Nessus _shudder_. And yet, one of the hominids of the Ring does propose to engage in rishathra with Speaker to Animals (though is deterred upon seeing the details of his genitalia). ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/45 "2016-03-15T15:34:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And yet, one of the hominids of the Ring does propose to engage in rishathra with Speaker to Animals (though is deterred upon seeing the details of his genitalia). The Ringworld inhabitants aren’t always the brightest of bulbs 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/46 "2016-03-15T18:16:21Z")
See, when I think about cornstarch, the first thing I think is that it makes a great quick thickener for sauces, particularly in Chinese cuisine. The second thing I think is that one-pager in Ken Kesey’s GARAGE SALE, where he talks about pouring cornstarch down his pants onto his balls during hot weather. “Keeps things smooth and sliding, all day long!” So when I think of “cornstarch” and “Supergirl” in conjunction, I picture her stroking it slowly onto her long limbs, making herself supple and slippery and smooth for me. I am so impressed by all you Science Guys, and how you’re able to keep your minds out of the gutter into which I so frequently fall. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/47 "2016-03-15T18:18:29Z")
Oh, geez…did I say “Kryptonite Spanking Glove” ? No? Thank god. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/48 "2016-03-15T19:59:06Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > It’s called [rishathra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishathra). Question unrelated to this thread but that occurs to me after reading the linked page: [QUOTE=Wikipedia] The “Water People” species of hominid on Ringworld are not able to rish with most other hominids due to the requirement that such activities take place underwater. Air breathers are typically not able to hold their breath for sufficient time to allow the act of sexual intercourse to take place. [/QUOTE] Do they not have scuba gear or the like in this universe? 😕:smack: Then again: [QUOTE=MrDibble] The Ringworld inhabitants aren’t always the brightest of bulbs 🙂 [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/49 "2016-03-15T21:29:40Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It depends on whether you consider the relevant aspect of bestiality to be the difference of species, or the difference of intelligence levels. In our world, we’re the only species with our level of intelligence, so we’ve never really had the need to distinguish between the two concepts. In a world with sapient aliens, though, it’s a perfectly relevant distinction. And the answer we both seem to agree on is that it’s intelligence levels. Or, more directly, the fact that an animal cannot give meaningful consent to sex due to their lack of sapience. That’s why I brought up that Kryptonians have human-level intelligence. If you say it the other way, and their species matters, then you’re saying that you have the right to control the sexual activity of two (or more) consenting (adult) persons. That’s the same logic used to criminalize homosexuality. It’s the same logic used to criminalize miscegenation. I can’t see how one can be against the latter two, but be against the former. The same principle is involved in all three. And, as it is well-known that **MrDibble** is against those forms of bigotry listed above, I assumed he would also be against criminalizing interspecies romance–as long as both are consenting sapient adults. If this is not so, then I invite him to explain why one is okay but the other two aren’t. > [@MrDibble](#): > > They’re not really people. > > Interspecies sex, then, if you feel the need to be coy. It’s not a mere semantic quibble, but a fundamental disagreement. I can’t figure out what is wrong with interspecies sex if all participants are adult “persons.” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/50 "2016-03-15T21:44:13Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > I’m just amused by the OP’s confusion about how something can be tough, yet feminine. I suggest he bring up the subject with, say, a woman giving birth (I also suggest he update his will and have his affairs in order before doing so …) I don’t see that as the OP’s issue. I see the OP wondering how Supergirl can feel like a normal human woman to the touch. While the same issue exists with Superman, it’s more striking with Supergirl, since women have an additional layer of subcutanous fat even when quite fit. The only exception is if they have a really low body fat content, and Supergirl does not appear to have that. That’s what I think he means by saying she looks “soft and feminine”–that she appears to have that layer of subcutanous fat. Not that she can’t be tough. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/51 "2016-03-16T05:19:58Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > If this is not so, then I invite him to explain why one is okay but the other two aren’t. I said nothing about criminalizing (the only illegality I mentioned was Kryptonian cousin marriage). I said it would be essentialy bestiality because Kryptonians are not close biological relatives of ours. I didn’t say I wanted the practice legislated. Although, given the power dynamics, I would not be in favour of it, just like I’m not in favour of Zeus seducing human women. Comic history has shown Superman, for one, has no quibble using his powers on Lois Lane. > [@](#): > > It’s not a mere semantic quibble, but a fundamental disagreement. I can’t figure out what is wrong with interspecies sex if all participants are adult “persons.” It’s not morally wrong, in and of itself, but like I said, there’s the imbalanced power dynamic. I have no objection to Supes getting it on with Wonder Woman, say, or Martian Manhunter getting freaky with Supergirl. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/52 "2016-03-16T20:41:58Z")
Unless you’re dealing with a version of Superman who has mental powers (super-hypnotism… ugh!), I don’t see a problem there. He has no position of official authority over her, he can’t impede her free will, and while he can physically overpower her if he so chooses, that’s true of most men and most women. Now, Professor Xavier, say, it’s hard to see how he could ever be in an ethical relationship, even with another metahuman. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/53 "2016-03-16T20:59:05Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > Question unrelated to this thread but that occurs to me after reading the linked page: > > Do they not have scuba gear or the like in this universe? 😕:smack: Then again: The technology available on the Ringworld to most groups is very limited due to the scarcity of metals. > [@Chronos](#): > > Unless you’re dealing with a version of Superman who has mental powers (super-hypnotism… ugh!), I don’t see a problem there. Remember the amnesia causing kiss from _Superman II?_ That version of Superman does. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/54 "2016-03-17T05:47:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Unless you’re dealing with a version of Superman who has mental powers Are we counting[super-intelligence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powers_and_abilities_of_Superman#Superhuman_Intelligence) here? Not that non-mental powers don’t count. Superman and Supergirl have both been shown, in various media, as willing to use X-Ray Vision, super speed and super hearing to spy on people, trick people and modify people’s behaviour to whatever norm they require. I don’t see that being off the cards when getting laid is on the table. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746/55 "2016-03-17T05:54:39Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Holtzman bra. > [@JRDelirious](#): > > It can be unhooked if you move smoothly enough… So…a bra, basically. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-and-cornstarch/748746.md?page=2)