Time Travel Vs Mind Reading

[Wee67]

vs flying vs super strength...

A discussion we've had before- If you could have one and only one superpower, what would you choose. According to a new Marist poll, time travel (a big fav here) ties with mind reading as Americans' top choice. I wonder how much the choice differs from country to country-

Superman, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman step aside! Americans have their own super hero dreams! The Marist Poll asked which super power U.S. residents would like to have, and they answered. More than a quarter — 28% — report they would like to have the ability to read people’s minds, and the same proportion — 28% — say they would like to be able to time travel. The ability to fly is the preference of 16% while 11% say they wish they could teleport. 10% pick invisibility, and 8% are unsure.

Mind reading tops the list of those in Gen X — 36% — and Americans in the Silent-Greatest generation — 28%. The number one pick of Baby Boomers — 33% — is time travel. Time travel and reading minds are closely matched among Millennials, receiving 26% and 25%, respectively.

35% of men wish they could travel through time while 30% of women would like to read people’s minds.

Top Super Powers Wanted by Americans | Home of the Marist Poll: Pebbles and Pundits

[Brazoo]

Personally, I'm not too excited about time travel. How was this poll conducted? Did they pick from multiple choice? My instincts (which could be wrong) tell me something odd is happening with this poll. I just can't believe that super strength and flying weren't higher on the list.

If they asked in order of the items on the list, time travel was last - and my hunch is that people didn't care and just picked the last option.

[boynightwing]

I'd want super speed. Think of all the cool things you can do with it AND you can use it to time travel.

[Wee67]

Not sure how the poll was conducted, but Marist is incredibly repected for their polls and social research. I do think you would get a separate set of answers when you ask the public at large vs. asking a group of superher fans (like us).

BTW, super speed has always been my favorite, too. It would have really lowered my goals-allowed average in soccer. Heck, I might even have been a goalie who actually scored a few

[HardyGirl]

I was watching No Ordinary Family last night, and they were talking along the same lines as this. The wife has super speed, the husbnad super strength and impervious to bullets and fire. Which is better? I dunno. The daughter can read minds, the son has a super brain. Which is better? I dunno. I think I'd want a combination of all those skills, plus the ability to transport and fly!

[The Toyroom]

Mind Reading is only useful if you're going to blackmail someone...otherwise I could care less what people are thinking

I'd have to choose Time Travel followed by Flying

[TrueDave]

I used to wish I had the ability to read minds because I was given an Autistic diagnosis once. I wanted to be able to read minds so I could understand people better and not make so many social blunders.

BUT. In the last four years since Ive had a home computer I know what people are thinking. And like that Twilight Zone with the coin landing on edge and Bewitched Darren finding out it's not so cool.

Flying SOUNDS cool but unless youre invulnerable too you got: Freezing cold, No air, eyes tearing up, etc, and without Supervison you cant really see where youre going.
Time Travel. " The good ole days werent so good and tommorow is <worse> than it seems"
Nothing beats Spider Sense.

[jwyblejr]

Really,mind reading has got to be the most boring super power. You don't need to know what most people are thinking about anyway.

[Brazoo]

BUT. In the last four years since Ive had a home computer I know what people are thinking. And like that Twilight Zone with the coin landing on edge and Bewitched Darren finding out it's not so cool.

Nice! That episode is ALWAYS my mental goto reference to mind reading!

[Brazoo]

Really,mind reading has got to be the most boring super power. You don't need to know what most people are thinking about anyway.

And it's probably pretty creepy too.

[Hector]

Super healing powers like Wolverine.

Either that...or plain and simple invincibility.

[ctc]

>mind reading has got to be the most boring super power

I dunno; ever read "Spunky Todd the Psychic Boy?"

I think for powers I'd want Dredd's power of "just win."

Don C.

[kingdom warrior]

Time Travel and Invisibility...

[WannabeMego]

Mind Reading is only useful if you're going to blackmail someone...otherwise I could care less what people are thinking

I'd have to choose Time Travel followed by Flying

Same...I could care less what people think cause I can Time Travel or freakin' Fly!!!