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John Byrne

Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 135817
Posted: 12 March 2026 at 8:04pm | IP Logged | 1 post reply
Looking at some comments elsewhere discussing the “coolest” or most desirable super power. Often as not, flight tops the list.

But as I have noted before, people who make this choice demonstrate they haven’t really thought it through. Tho flight seems super neat, it’s not terribly practical. If an individual was suddenly gifted with flight, s/he’d require a lot of backup powers and/or equipment to go with it.

With “just” flight, one would soon discover a limit on altitude and speed, for instance. Friction would be a literal pain. Breathing would be difficult, if not impossible.

Sometimes the things that seem to be the most fun are actually the least.

:-(

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Dave Kopperman
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 27 December 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 3968
Posted: 12 March 2026 at 8:09pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply
Slightly more involved, but a recent XKCD 'What If' video nicely breaks down how shitty it would be if you just floated straight up at 1ft/sec.: LINK
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Edward Aycock
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 13 July 2024
Location: United States
Posts: 162
Posted: 12 March 2026 at 8:37pm | IP Logged | 3 post reply
Flying is cool but as a teen going through teen stuff, I wanted invisibility and Kitty's ability to phase, and I am sure you all know why.  

Edited by Edward Aycock on 12 March 2026 at 8:37pm
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James Woodcock
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 21 September 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 8403
Posted: 12 March 2026 at 10:50pm | IP Logged | 4 post reply
Excellent video.
But
I would certainly be happy, initially at least, possibly permanently, with
flying at low altitude, and either walking or certainly, running speed.
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Peter Martin
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 17 March 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 16381
Posted: 13 March 2026 at 2:49am | IP Logged | 5 post reply
I think flying would be OK as long as you're not thinking about flying like a aeroplane. I ski and going like 80km/hr feels damn fast, but I don't have friction pains or need particularly specialised equipment. Goggles, gloves, a warm jacket -- I imagine you'd be fine for flying skyscraper high at 100mph.

Not that I would pick flight, given the choice. Telekinesis would be damn useful. Or Wolverine's healing power. 


*Edited to correct googles to goggles. I wouldn't be doing web searches while flying. 



Edited by Peter Martin on 13 March 2026 at 2:50am
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