Supernatural Abilities: What Seems Like a Superpower But Could Be Horrible
Supernatural abilities are often depicted as superpowers in movies, television, and literature. However, many of these so-called superpowers come with a set of unintended consequences that can make them more of a curse than a gift. In this article, we will explore two such abilities: time manipulation and omniscience. We'll discuss why they seem great on the surface but why they could actually lead to a life of misery and struggle.
The Power of Time Manipulation
One supernatural ability that might seem like a superpower but would actually be quite terrible to have is the power of time manipulation—specifically the ability to stop or rewind time.
Why It Seems Great
Avoid Mistakes: You could easily correct errors or prevent regrettable actions. Extra Time: Stopping time would allow you to finish tasks or enjoy moments longer than normal.Why It Would Be Terrible
Isolation: If you stopped time, everyone else would be frozen, leading to extreme loneliness. You would exist in a world where no one else can interact with you. Psychological Impact: Constantly rewinding time could lead to obsessive behaviors and an inability to make decisions as you might always second-guess yourself. Consequences: Changing past events might have unintended consequences, potentially creating worse situations than before. Moral Dilemmas: The power to change events could lead to ethical conflicts—deciding who gets to live or die or manipulating others' lives without their consent.Overall, while the ability to manipulate time sounds appealing, the emotional, social, and ethical ramifications could make it a burdensome and isolating experience.
Omniscience: The Horror of God-like Knowledge
Another supernatural power that can be devastating is omniscience. Imagine having the knowledge of every single event happening in the universe without the ability to intervene. This god-like power could be terrifying, as you would instantly know every horrible thing happening in the universe but be unable to do anything about most of it. Sure, you'd also know about every good thing, but the sheer volume of negative information could make your life a terrible burden.
The Dangers of Omniscience
Without the other attributes of a god (omnipresence and omnipotence), omniscience is incomplete. Here's why:
You would instantly know every single horrible thing happening in the universe, but you would be unable to do anything about most of it. Hormones come into play, and you get omniscience from your x-gene during puberty. This could make your life even more miserable. Your perspective would expand from your immediate environment to the sun, the earth, other planets, and the local group, and then to the galactic, super-cluster, super-super-cluster, and finally, the universe as a whole. No mortal could handle omniscience without copious quantities of drugs and alcohol to cope with the constant bombardment of information and the emotional toll it takes.Imagine the angst that you would feel every time you make a mistake. You would instantly know how much damage you did and the far-reaching consequences of your actions. This knowledge could be overwhelming and potentially lead to a life of constant self-doubt and despair.
Conclusion
While the idea of possessing a supernatural ability may seem exciting, these powers often come with a heavy burden. Time manipulation and omniscience, in particular, have severe drawbacks that could make your life more miserable than it already is. It’s essential to consider the unintended consequences before wishing for a superpower.