Ever wanted to control someone's mind? How about have super strength? Here are four comic book superpowers that really exist and that you can possess!
If you could have any one superpower, what would it be?
The fact that this question is so commonplace testifies to how much our society values extraordinary traits and fantastic abilities. How many of us haven't had a dream where we were flying like Superman, or thought about what it would be like to read other people's minds? Well, in this article I will highlight four superpowers that actually exist, and show you how you can possess them.
Mind Control and Mind Reading
Superheroes: Jean Grey, Professor X
How is it real?: Although it is probably impossible to enter someone's mind and read their exact thoughts as it is oftentimes portrayed in the movie, it is absolutely possible to predict and influence a person's behaviour through studying body language and using something called NLP (neurolinguistic programming). Put simply, NLP uses deliberate word choice and a soothing tone of voice to put another person into a hypnotic state where they are suggestive to commands. Sound like witchcraft? Here's a video of UK star and NLP-practitioner Derren Brown working his magic on Simon Pegg (of Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz fame), complete with an explanation of how he did it.
How do I do it?: Read some articles online about NLP and start practicing it, plus learn how to read body language (a Google search will bring up a ton of articles).
Echolocation
Superheroes: Daredevil
How is it real?: Meet 14 year old Ben Underwood. After losing his eyes to cancer at age 2, Ben developed echolocation. Check out this video to see Ben rollerblading down the street, playing video games, and schooling the interviewer at foosball.
How do I do it?: Well, echolocation might not seem like a useful skill if you have your sight, but it would allow you to see in the dark. The only way I could see to develop this skill would be extensive practice, but clearly it can be done.
Super Strength
Superheroes: The Hulk, Superman
How is it real?: We've all heard stories of mothers who, in the throes of adrenaline, have lifted cars off of their trapped children, but oftentimes these are dismissed as urban legends. While the story of 90 pound women tipping a car completely over are likely exaggerations, there are many recorded counts of regular people lifting a car at least high enough for the trapped person to escape, whether it be only a foot or only a few inches. In one case, a grandmother cleanly lifted her riding lawnmower off of her trapped granddaughter and found later, like most people, that she did not have the strength to even budge it when she was calm.
How do I do it? Technically, you already have this superpower, you just probably haven't had a chance to use it (and hopefully never will).
Re-Animation
Superheroes: Dr. Frankenstein (yeah, yeah, I know)
How is it real?: The idea of bringing people back from the dead is still science fiction, but here's magician David Blaine doing a trick where he supposedly brings a fly back to life in front of a very small audience.
How do I do it?: The trick is actually very simple and you can try it on your friends! Just get a fly and put it in the freezer for a while (until it stops moving and seems "dead"). Take it out and then just repeat the method that David Blaine does in the video. The warmth from your hands will cause the fly to unfreeze and seemingly come back to life.
I hope you enjoyed this article and who knows, if you practice all of these skills maybe you'll get a reputation as a superhero too!
How can I the abitly to become my own shadow at will by saing a few words and fly, take over people shadows and make do what I want, shoot green nets out of my hands, have super strenght to help people, I hope you will have an answer send it back to me.
