# Which \*single\* power would you choose? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 5, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707 "2004-07-05T22:17:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Brainiac4](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brainiac4/32/3534_2.png) [@Brainiac4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac4)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/1 "2004-07-05T22:17:24Z")
Inspired by [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=264950), I thought I’d recast the question focusing on a single power. If you had the ability to choose a single super-power from the following list, which one would you choose? Why? And what would you do with it? - Flight - Invulnerability - Super-speed - Super-strength - Invisibility - Mind-reading (at close range) - Mental domination (imposed at close range only) For this purpose, assume that any of these powers is easily controllable and can be turned on or off at will, and will remain on if desired (so you don’t need to remember to stay invulnerable or to keep controlling someone). ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac4](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brainiac4/32/3534_2.png) [@Brainiac4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac4)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2004, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/2 "2004-07-05T22:24:13Z")
It’s a really hard choice. Invulnerability would let me save lives without fear of danger to myself. Flight would just be cool, as would super-strength. Mental Domination is too much temptation. I could be the Mule and rule the world, and promise to be really nice when I am in charge. 🙂 I guess I’ll give in to temptation and choose Mental Domination. And rule the world. But don’t worry, I promise to be very benevolent. ---
**Author:** ![Oregon\_sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/50afbb/32.png) [@Oregon\_sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oregon_sunshine)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2004, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/3 "2004-07-05T23:06:34Z")
_Flight_ would be so fun!! Fun fun!! Of course, knowing me, I’d wreck into an airplane first time out. In all my favorite dreams, though, I never did too badly. Invulnerability, however, would bring with it immortality of a sort? So that would be great too, only if I could let my friends and family get the same gift. ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/4 "2004-07-05T23:13:55Z")
Would be Super Strength. That way I could contract myself out to do odd jobs. Either that or Invisibility and become the ultimate Spy for the government. ---
**Author:** ![flamingbananas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f4b2a3/32.png) [@flamingbananas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flamingbananas)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2004, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/5 "2004-07-05T23:34:17Z")
Flight. Then I wouldn’t have to walk or run again. I would glide around. Now that I’m over my fear of heights, I could really enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/6 "2004-07-06T00:13:00Z")
Flight. No question. Except in wintertime, then I’d worry about wind chill. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/7 "2004-07-06T00:22:25Z")
Flight, definitely, but I’d really have to save up or take out a loan and buy the invulnerability too, or the flight might not last all that long. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/8 "2004-07-06T00:58:19Z")
Mind reading. Then I could go to Vegas, make a mnt, and live happily ever after 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/9 "2004-07-06T01:02:02Z")
Invisibility, I’d so much rather not be noticed as I go about the business of living. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/10 "2004-07-06T01:02:21Z")
Hmmm, super strength means I could open up pickle jars… But I’m going to have to go with everyone else and pick flight. That would be soooo cool and convenient. As an added bonus, I bet flying would burn up a lot of calories so I could eat Ding Dongs without guilt. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/11 "2004-07-06T01:16:32Z")
Well if by invulneralbility you mean I would never age and live forever; I’ll choose that. otherwise I’ll choose mental domination. Flight would be way cool though. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/12 "2004-07-06T01:18:09Z")
Given the amount of time, money, and effort I put into flying already… I think I have no choice but to pick that one. Invulnerability would be a close second. Wound come in handy for when the flying ends badly. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/13 "2004-07-06T01:22:23Z")
Mental domination, without a second thought. Then, even if it’s close range, I’d start seeing if I could convince people via television. If so I’d be President next year. Then God help everyone. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/14 "2004-07-06T01:45:09Z")
I’ll stick with invisibility Go anywhere I like, Do anything I like, not have to deal with anybody - but could make life miserable for some deserving folks, could become the “fly on the wall” in confidential meetings - just to be able to thwart their plans later. In general just have a great time and provide mystery assistance where possible. ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/15 "2004-07-06T01:54:48Z")
Mind reading. ---
**Author:** ![1010011010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ea666f/32.png) [@1010011010](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1010011010)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/16 "2004-07-06T01:58:45Z")
If invulnerability includes immortal eternal youth as a side effect, I’d pick that. Otherwise, mental domination seems most useful. ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac4](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brainiac4/32/3534_2.png) [@Brainiac4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac4)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/17 "2004-07-06T02:04:27Z")
Not that I want to hijack my own thread, but I must add this: Strong Bad on the subject of invisibility. [http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail41.html](http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail41.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ryle\_Dup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Ryle\_Dup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryle_Dup)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/18 "2004-07-06T02:08:01Z")
Does the invulnerability include immortality? Cause if it does I’d choose that. Then I’d do ridiculous things for money, set myself up for life and fund science. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/19 "2004-07-06T03:02:34Z")
I’d go with invisibility, even though it would have practical problems. I think I could make the most use of it. Actually, the power I really want wasn’t mentioned – instantaneous teleportation. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2004, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707/20 "2004-07-06T03:43:30Z")
Invulnerability if it includes the no-aging option. Otherwise, Superspeed, which is one of the best “stunt” powers in comic book reality. (Meaning, Superspeed stunts can be used to do a lot of other powers.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-single-power-would-you-choose/253707.md?page=2)