# Superheroes' useless tics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117 "2011-04-12T17:22:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/81 "2011-04-22T00:22:41Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > One of the explanations I heard was that the words didn’t matter - it functioned as a timer so he knew how long to keep the ring there. _shrug_ So, basically, instead of the oath, he could have just hummed the theme to Jeopardy, and gotten the same result? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/82 "2011-04-22T00:27:53Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > So, basically, instead of the oath, he could have just hummed the theme to Jeopardy, and gotten the same result? IIRC, we already know he could’ve swapped in something else: _“In loudest din or hush profound, my ears catch evil’s slightest sound. Let those who toll out evil’s knell, beware my power: The F-Sharp Bell!”_ ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/83 "2011-04-22T04:35:53Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > So, basically, instead of the oath, he could have just hummed the theme to Jeopardy, and gotten the same result? I don’t read Green Lantern and it’s probably one of those things that depends on the writer, but sure. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2011, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/84 "2011-04-22T05:48:15Z")
The Green Lantern oath doesn’t bug me at all: First of all, the Green Lanterns are specifically chosen for their devotion to the ideals of the Corps. Reciting an oath isn’t all that much different than, say, the Pledge of Allegiance. And second, they’re somewhat on the mystical/magical end of things, and the concept of “magic words” is hardly unique. > [@](#): > > IIRC, we already know he could’ve swapped in something else:… And for the matter, Alan Scott, who became a Green Lantern without even knowing about the Corps, made up his own oath. Doesn’t matter; the sentiment’s the same. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/85 "2011-04-22T06:30:38Z")
Theoretically, everyone in the Corps has a different oath - albeit ones which generally hit the same beats. Most of the ones who came after Hal, and even a few who’ve been members longer than him copy his, though. Some of the examples of variant oaths: > [@](#): > > “For social justice > and the future of > workers everywhere” ([Anya Savenlovich](http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=anyasavenlovich).) > [@](#): > > From lantern comes the gift we give — > to shed light’s grace on all that live!" ([Arisia Rrab](http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=arisia) - one of 3 she’s used.) > [@](#): > > “In this place of black and grey and dark… > the green shall be my light, my hope, my strength. > All that is good is all I defend. > I shall not falter.” ([Barin](http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=barin).) > [@](#): > > “And I shall shed my light over dark evil, > For the dark things cannot stand the light, > THE LIGHT OF THE GREEN LANTERN!” ([Tomar-Re](http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=tomarre)…and Alan Scott.) > [@](#): > > “…power to foil evil with me instill… > …my Green Lantern vow to fulfill!” ([Eddore](http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=eddore) - one of 2 he used.) > [@](#): > > “Once there was but darkness, > full and forever– > but then came the light > of the Green Lantern– > and then myself-- to do it justice!” ([Flodo Span](http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=flodospan).) > [@](#): > > “In forest dark or glade beferned, > no blade of grass shall go unturned. > Let those that have the daylight spurned, > tread not where this green lamp has burned.” ([Medphyll](http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=medphyll).) Most of the major Lanterns whose oaths are known use Hal’s. The one quoted upthread belongs to Rot Lop Fan a blind being from a world without light. Katma Tui came up with the musical analogy to explain the idea to him, since the idea of a ‘green lantern’ was complete gibberish to him. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2011, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/86 "2011-04-22T08:45:44Z")
It used to be justified in Power rangers, as shouting the phrase was necessary to activate the device. But now they still do that stuff, even when it’s clear that all they have to do is flick a switch or type in a code. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2011, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/87 "2011-04-22T12:04:41Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You know what I always found useless? That flying pose - the one where the hero has one arm thrust forward and the other arm back and one leg bent forwards while the other is straight back. Like [—] [this](http://supermantv.net/art/r-supergirl-10-supergirl-and-the-legion-of-superheroes-88.htm) “Why would Supergirl need a flight ring?”, he wondered out loud. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/88 "2011-04-22T13:39:59Z")
Sheldon: The original Gren Lantern’s ring was ineffective against wood. The second Green Lantern’s ring was ineffective against anything yellow. Leonard: So you’re telling me they could both be defeated by a #2 pencil? (jparaphrased) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/89 "2011-04-22T13:58:57Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > “Why would Supergirl need a flight ring?”, he wondered out loud. The same reason Superboy, Mon-El/Valor, Ultra Boy, Laurel Gand, Wildfire, Dawnstar, Earthman, and anyone else capable of flying under their own power\* - it does more than allow them to fly. It’s also the symbol of their membership in the Legion, a communicator, a tracking device (and, for the Earth-Prime Legion, a jammer of tracking devices), and in later iterations, a life support system, replacing transsuits. In Ultra Boy’s case, it also allows him to continue flying while using other powers (typically invulnerability or strength), but none of the others have to switch off their other powers to fly. - Quite a few members have powers that lend themselves to creating flight…the Durlans are the only ones other than the above who do so, and they have a limit. ---
**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:** [April 22, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/90 "2011-04-22T17:33:08Z")
> [@](#): > > …(Eddore - one of 2 he used.)… OK, it makes sense to name a Green Lantern “Arisia”, in an inside-joke sort of way, but “Eddore”? Isn’t that kind of exactly the wrong way around? ---
**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:** [April 22, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/91 "2011-04-22T17:43:45Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > The same reason Superboy, Mon-El/Valor, Ultra Boy, Laurel Gand, Wildfire, Dawnstar, Earthman, and anyone else capable of flying under their own power\* - it does more than allow them to fly. It’s also the symbol of their membership in the Legion, a communicator, a tracking device (and, for the Earth-Prime Legion, a jammer of tracking devices), and in later iterations, a life support system, replacing transsuits. > > In Ultra Boy’s case, it also allows him to continue flying while using other powers (typically invulnerability or strength), but none of the others have to switch off their other powers to fly. > > - Quite a few members have powers that lend themselves to creating flight…the Durlans are the only ones other than the above who do so, and they have a limit. And, in Smallville, they specifically removed the flight power from Clark’s ring so he’d have to learn to fly by himself. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/92 "2011-04-22T20:47:58Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > OK, it makes sense to name a Green Lantern “Arisia”, in an inside-joke sort of way, but “Eddore”? Isn’t that kind of exactly the wrong way around? Wouldn’t read too much into the references in the names. There are also GLs named Torquemada and Xenofobe - neither of whom lives up to his name. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/93 "2011-04-23T01:52:26Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > … > > I call that punch-you-in-the-face flying. I fly that way-- started doing it as an homage to Christopher Reeve (who was there at my initiation, but that’s a story for another evening). But the third time I tried an extended solo flight BAM!!! A pigeon ran into my fist! I honestly only saw it at the last nano-second–don’t know why I didn’t see it earlier-- and if I hadn’t had my hand out in front, I would’ve been eating feathers. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117/94 "2011-04-23T03:09:01Z")
> [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](#): > > Myabe the idea was it would melt them being so close. But no real idea. Hmm, the whole X-ray vision thing is a bit wonky. I mean an X-ray machine makes photos by having a source on one side and film/photodetectors on the other. But Superman’s eyes seem to both emit the X-ray light and recieve it… …[and I’m not the first person to bring this up…](http://scienceblogs.com/omnibrain/2009/10/how_supermans_x-ray_vision_wor.php) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superheroes-useless-tics/578117.md?page=4)