How to Easily Become an Evil Villain with Superpowers

This week on the podcast we are discussing superpowers and which superpower we would like to have.  I want to preface this with the fact that each time we record a podcast, it is 100% organic and free flowing discussion. This conversation was a great example of how we might have an idea about how the topic will go, but then it takes a turn in another direction. We have fun and have good laughs for the most part on the podcast. Sometimes we do have some heart to hearts and get to the root of issues and emotions, too. This time, we thought the conversation would be lighthearted since we are talking about fictitious superpowers, but after the recording was over, we each felt that the conversation took a darker turn than we had anticipated.

I can say that I was probably the main reason for the pessimistic point of view. I tend to view scenarios from many points of view, and not just pessimistically. I am often a realist, but I can stretch the boundaries. I don’t really see myself as an optimistic person, even though many people tell me that I have a bubbly personality. I can understand the outcomes, but still hope for the best. I can get really dark sometimes though. I enjoy the macabre, dystopian, and surreal elements of society, fiction, and in our cultural diversity. 

After some thought on the discussion, I realized that I would not be a good person if I had a superpower. I may start off as sweet bubbly Christen, but I would inevitably use my powers for evil, or wrongdoing, even if that was not my intention. It is not that I find enjoyment in being evil, it just became very evident to me that having superpowers would allow me to use people for personal gain. 

My first thought was that it would be great to have a superpower where I could make people do my chores for me. Most of the superpowers that I wished to employ were ones that used people’s free will, or took their power from them. I had never thought of myself as evil or cruel, however, envisioning myself using obedience manipulation, whether it is for simple tasks like folding my laundry or something more sinister, is quite evil as it is a form of slavery. If you know me then you will understand that my vivid imagination is running wild and keeping me up at night in thoughts about this. Seeing that darker side of myself made me sick to my stomach, and I have been quite rattled by my revelation.  Why couldn’t I be simple and enjoy a superpower that allowed me to swim underwater, or change the color of fabric with touch of my finger? There is more to this that I would like to explore; some call it shadow work. That is where you delve deep into your psyche and deconstruct your negative thoughts (among other things). I think that we should venture into this discussion more at another time. 

My comfort has been knowing that I did recognize that tendency is wrong and I am able to learn from that. I can only imagine that someone who does not have the ability to look introspectively at themselves in that way would be susceptible to becoming an evil villain. Maybe my real superpower is knowing the difference between right and wrong and choosing to do the right thing.