An odd question

[Jhamin]

Re: An odd question

 

And I would have tried to stop you.

 

There are a remarkable number of things on your list I would have objected to.

 

And if Assault wasn't just as busy trying to stop me, I'd be right behind him.

 

We would all be at war. There isn't a single person I know that I would trust with superpowers. (And I list among my personal aquantences Artists, Scholars, "Regular Joes", Buddisht Priests, Nurses, Scientists, and many others.) Every single one of them has a very limited view of the world, and every one of them would impose terrible injustice upon large parts of the world in the process of "helping".

 

I wouldn't be any better.

 

For example, in this thread I have seen several mentions of obliterating terrorists/dictators/communists, etc. Alot of this would make the world better from an American point of view, but doen't do alot for all the folks who have ligitimate issues with American Values.

 

How would things be if a Al-Quida member had powers? Or a 60's Radical? Or a Communist Russian circa 1955? Their check list would probably include obliterating middle and upper class Americans.

 

And that would be just as invalid as any of the lists I have seen here.

[susandwyer]

Re: An odd question

 

Who said I'd do "the right thing"? I'd kill people who pissed me off.

I'd also probably lie, cheat and steal.

 

(My moral compass points south.)

I'm with you Whamme!

[nexus]

Re: An odd question

 

I thought about that alot when the "Authority" debates were going on. It would end up in a war of the Superhumans. Every little two bit idiot with an altered genetic structuring figuring he was the "Chosen One" and had the ordained right to cram his beleif structure down everyone elses throat. Often with little to no understanding of the Big Picture. Pretty nasty.

[Speedball]

Re: An odd question

 

Anyway you slice it' date=' the Seeds of Change world is in for alot of trouble.[/quote']

 

eek.

[zornwil]

Re: An odd question

 

(snip)...We would all be at war. There isn't a single person I know that I would trust with superpowers.

 

Don't be silly. There'd be no war and you'd all trust me - COMPLETELY.

 

My powers would see to it.

[Wanderer]

Re: An odd question

 

And I would have tried to stop you.

 

There are a remarkable number of things on your list I would have objected to.

 

That is the real secret of this thread. St barbara noticed it a couple of pages ago: if we all had superpowers we would end up at war!

 

Indeed, this is sadly the most likely result of a scenario of cosmic-level superhumans suddenly arising among the world's teen population. Proactive supers of different worldviews clashing among themselves and with pro-status quo supers. World Superpowered War I. Probably small coalitions of supers with similar ideologies would coalesce, and it would end (provided not too much damage is inflicted to the framework of civilization) in either the world apportioned among a pattern of neofeudal superhuman warlords, or the winning faction becoming the de facto overlords of the world.

[Speedball]

Re: An odd question

 

Indeed' date=' this is sadly the most likely result of a scenario of cosmic-level superhumans suddenly arising among the world's teen population. Proactive supers of different worldviews clashing among themselves and with pro-status quo supers. World Superpowered War I. Probably small coalitions of supers with similar ideologies would coalesce, and it would end (provided not too much damage is inflicted to the framework of civilization) in either the world apportioned among a pattern of neofeudal superhuman warlords, or the winning faction becoming the de facto overlords of the world.[/quote']

 

If we're not careful, we're going to get slapped for a copyright violation for Kingdom Come!

[Wanderer]

Re: An odd question

 

If we're not careful' date=' we're going to get slapped for a copyright violation for Kingdom Come![/quote']

 

I hope rather not. The first and middle parts of that comic are one of the pinnacles of comicbookdom, but the end totally sucks. Clark Christ so nobly pardons and let go scot-free the U.N. officials who have just committed gross nuclear genocide of 90% superhumans in the world cause he feels sorry for himself and poor scared evolutionary challeged humans. Yeah, I'm sure Nazis at Nuremberg would have liked to go scot free with "well, we felt really threatened by all those horrible, horrible jews". Anyway, probably I am badly biased, but I think that if I lived 100 years, probably I couldn't yet empathize with the way they write Superman.

 

Anyway, my usual anti-Superman rants aside the initial stage of Kingdom Come is quite appropriate for the scenario we are discussing: increasing numbers (scores ? hundreds ? thousands ?) of youngish, probably newly awakened to power, very powerful superhumans roaming the world fighting among themselves to enforce their respective creeds and ideologies, held in check by each other in an instable equilibrium of anarchy (the comic casts the new superhumans at a rather lower power than the one we were discussing, so their initial impact on society is lesser, and makes them fight more for the sheer pleasure of combat and less for different ideology, but proably that can be linked to the four-color roots of DC). Gradually they coalesce from individuals and small gangs to large coalitions, and their impact and influence grows, till the result of their fighting will decide the future of the world. I think the the end is rather unrealistic, since we were discussing a whole new crop of cosmic-level supers, and very likely a localized nuclear tactical strike wouldn't do much to wipe them away. Sure, a scared government might attempt it, but it would surely expose itself to massive retaliation (goodbye, White House & Kremlin) (Hell, the hypothetical super version of me would be among the first at snapping presidents' necks in such a case).

 

Instead, it would probably end up with massive superhuman takeover, and the development of a two-tiered neo-feudal society. Above the elite of the superhuman overlords gradually evolving their own form of separate social contract; they would be organized in something evolving from the "armed neighbors" semi-anarchy of the West to the loose social bond based on honor, individual responsibility and warrior empowerment of ancient nomad/hunter/warrior/sheperd societies (Celts, Norse, Beduin, Bronze Age Greek, etc.). Maybe they would end up in a feudal arrangement like Middle Age Europe or Japan, or more likely, a pattern of assembly direct democracy would emerge, as among Norse and Greek. Below, the mass of normals would probably be left to limited self-government for most matters, but subject to the superior rule of the superhuman overlords for global matters and issues of concern of the elite. Like a U.N. with full decisional and enforcement powers, but only made up of supers.

 

After the carnage of takeover period, gradually a social contract among supers and normals would probably emerge, by which basic human rights, day-to-day self-rule and advanced welfare would be garanteed to normals as long as they respect the superior rule of the super elite, and the elite would exchange overlordship (and likley, luxury living) with "community service" use of superpowers and protection of society. A modernized version of the feudal social contract which would likely allow a very high level of prosperity, welfare and security to all, even to utopian levels (figure the combined possibilities from coordinated use of cosmic-level powers, modern technology, and maybe super-science). It would still be a likely nightmare to those feeling classical "rule of law" and "one man, one vote" democracy are an absolute necessity (yet it would a necessary development: classical democracy has an unspoken but very necessary prerequisite of the ultimate rough equality of basic resources and capabiltites among all members; if some have unlimited access to the personal power equivalent of a tac-nuke and other not, it simply cannot stand), and those would probably end up as dissidents, but once established, such a society would likely be rather stable from uprisings from below, only threatened from power fights among the super elite.

 

Further developments would depend on factors like whether new supers would keep emerging from the normals' mass (would on the very long term everyone evolve in a super ?), whether mixed-breeding would be allowed by the super elite and would end up super, whether deserving normals might be co-opted in the elite and granted super powers, etc.

[nexus]

Re: An odd question

 

What I don't get about your proposal is what exactly makes the superhuman "superior" rulers? The fact they have powers threw some genetic fluke or quirk of fate? To take a character from the Champions Universe, what makes Bulldozer innately qualified to rule? Or if you want more power, Gravitar for that matter? I could almost see Destroyer being an effective ruler with is intelligence (if it wasn't for that whole sociopathic meglomanic thing). Unless you go by some theory of Might makes Right and Divine Entitlement.

[assault]

Re: An odd question

 

Instead, it would probably end up with massive superhuman takeover, and the development of a two-tiered neo-feudal society. Above the elite of the superhuman overlords

...

Below, the mass of normals would probably be left to limited self-government for most matters, but subject to the superior rule of the superhuman overlords for global matters and issues of concern of the elite. Like a U.N. with full decisional and enforcement powers, but only made up of supers.

 

Frankly, this sounds more like a factional manifesto than an inevitable result.

 

There would be another faction which says: "humanity must decide its own future".

 

It's entirely likely that the second faction would be better coordinated than the first, since they're less likely to exhibit megalomaniac egotism.

 

This kind of division is a staple of superpowered worlds, of course - it's the division between supervillains and superheroes.

[Wanderer]

Re: An odd question

 

All societies ultimately are based on the Might Makes Right principle. Democracy is just one of the most likely forms modern society takes, given the premise "all humans are (roughly) equal (in personal power and ability)" hence the power of the mass is superior to any given individual, hence Might (of the mass) Makes Right (of law). Give an individual (or a subgroup) the personal power equivalent of a nation, or a nuke, or ability to rewrite reality, or IQ 1000, and that unspoken but necessary premise crumbles away.

 

Supers would not necessarily be "superior" rulers (Hell, can you in all honesty say GWB is really a "superior" ruler to, say, Paul Samuelson ?? Yet the Might of the Mob makes him so). Yet they would in all likelihood end up being rulers. As regarding if Gravitar would necessarily be an "inferior" ruler to say, rightfully-elected leaders like GWB, Berlusconi or Putin... do I have really to answer such a question ?? (I would eagerly exchange GWB or Berlusconi with Dr. Destroyer any given day, double on Sundays).

 

The crux of the issue was what would happen if a significant number of cosmic-level supers would emerge in RL to-day society, among late teens and twentysomethings, using we forumites as a (sometimes retrospective) sample (I readily advance that extending threshold age to thirtysomethings, to make board population more fully representative wouldn't really change much). It looks like a sufficient number of individulas would emerge with a proactive agenda of changing society and feel so empowered by the change as to deem themselves unbound by previous social contract (myself included, either back then or just now). Society and history would irrevocably and massively changed. It also looks like a period of widespread conflict would be a very likely development. I put my hypothesis of the possible further developments. Would the ultimate outcome be "better" ? Maybe. The scenario might evolve in many different ways, from a Mad-Max-like nuclear wasteland plagued by tyrannical super warlords to a Utopia ruled by benevolent super overseers. And I would really like to see a discussion on the possible developments of history past the likely War of the Supers stage. Ideas are welcome.

 

Let's not disparage genetic flukes. An accumulation of such is what made homo sapiens master of the planet and made Einstein and Beethoven possible.

[nexus]

Re: An odd question

 

Edit: Eh, never mind. Just pulling the thread more off topic.

[Wanderer]

Re: An odd question

 

Frankly' date=' this sounds more like a factional manifesto than an inevitable result.[/quote']

 

It is one of the possible results, and IMO one of the most likely outcomes IF the War of the Supers doesn't wreck the Earth too bad (sadly the most likely outcome if things really go bad) before the super society gets to develop its own social contract. In the former case, the most likely outcome is the survivors ruled by iron-fisted super warlords among the ruins of civlization.

 

Or the pro-status-quo, super faction might end up winning... in which case GWB, Blair and Putin walz back into their palaces, pin medals on the chests of the pro-status-quo supers... who become the ultimate instrument of decision supporting the power of the politico-corporate complex, instead of tanks, aircraft carriers, and ICBMs. Whoever has the allegiance of the most numerous and powerful supers becomes the new global superpower. Make a very good job of indoctrinating all those good supers into the sanctity of the American Way (Supreme Power, anyone ?) and just hope they don't ever realize that taking a clue from Karl Rove, FoxTv and televangelists is just as irrational a criteria to select a ruler as whoever has the greatest STR and EB. Or the merry dance begins anew.

 

There would be another faction which says: "humanity must decide its own future".

 

Indeed. They end up being just another faction in the War of the Supers. A major faction, probably. Another major faction would be a coalition of supers with a general metahuman supremacist agenda aggregating other factions with compatible agandas (vigilantes, eco-activists...). Again, a pattern very similar to Kingdom Come and Aberrant War.

 

It's entirely likely that the second faction would be better coordinated than the first, since they're less likely to exhibit megalomaniac egotism.

 

I fail to see why fervent belief in The American Way would garantee greater tactical insight than say superhuman supremacy, socialism or ecological activism in the long term. In the very first stages, yes, they could have better organization. But the very pressure of combat always shapes up revolutionary movements into military efficiency. And if the same military and political geniuses end up leading the pro status quo supers that masterminded postwar Iraq, well, the revolution has already won

 

This kind of division is a staple of superpowered worlds, of course - it's the division between supervillains and superheroes.

 

Did I fail to mention Magneto as a role model ? Shortsighted slander from the lackeys of The Man won't keep true heroes from doing what's just and necessary. Besides, history is written by the victors

[Wanderer]

Re: An odd question

 

Edit: Eh' date=' never mind. Just pulling the thread more off topic.[/quote']

 

Hmm, I wouldn't say we are too badly off-topic *yet*, judging how much sensitive this kind of topic has been in the past. So far, we have loosely concluded that a period of massive societal upheaval and likely extensive superpowered conflict would be a likely (the most likely ?) outcome of a significant number of cosmic-level superhumans suddenly emerging among the young strata of today RL population. Let's build from here. Is the conflict inevitable ? What are other possible outcomes ? How would the conflict develop ? What are the possible outcomes of the conflict ?

 

I'm quite interested in seeing such a topic develop, and if I understand things correctly, it is within the bounds of the original thread originator question.

 

I concede, we might end up as times before, in a vicious pro-status-quo vs. anti-status-quo pseudopolitical mudslinging or My Superman is More Righteous Than Your Authority reciprocal rant. Let's hope things end up more auspiciously this time. Just don't ask me if supers are *right* to rebel and I won't "push my botton" feel obligated to tell you why. And viceversa, of course

[Speedball]

Re: An odd question

 

Someone needs to call the FBI, because this thread has been hijacked in the biggest way.

 

In any case, I think the question has been addressed, if not conclusively decided. Nexus--I'm glad you brought up the question, but I, for one, can stop reading now that the thread has been taken over by the Fascisti...I mean really: "might makes right?" Yikes.

[Wanderer]

Re: An odd question

 

Someone needs to call the FBI, because this thread has been hijacked in the biggest way.

 

In any case, I think the question has been addressed, if not conclusively decided. Nexus--I'm glad you brought up the question, but I, for one, can stop reading now that the thread has been taken over by the Fascisti...I mean really: "might makes right?" Yikes.

 

Nope Sir, this time I won't eat the bait. Don't like the answer, don't ask the question.

 

To help re-center the thread... nexus, you didn't give some crucial bits of information about the scenario. Just about how many cosmic-level supers (although if you are thinking of running the kind of scenario I think you are, it would probably work better on 950-1050 pts than on 700-800. But that's mostly off-topic). Just how many newly-empowered hot-blooded teen cosmic-level supers are emerging in this scenario of yours, worldwide ? 50 ? 500 ? 5000 ? 25.000 ? The way you hinted, it looks like a totally random occurrence, a process much like marvel's mutants or Aberrant's eruption. Is it so ? Is it mutation (or similar processes, like strange radiations investing Earth) ? Or is some kind of factor keeping supers concentrated to First World, like in CU ? Are supers emerging everybody at once ? Or is the process distributed during several days ? weeks ? months ? Is some kind of sentient agency choosing the candidates ? Or is a mindless natural force ?

 

Each one of these variables could significantly influence the scenario.

[assault]

Re: An odd question

 

Continuing the thread hijack...

 

I fail to see why fervent belief in The American Way would garantee greater tactical insight than say superhuman supremacy, socialism or ecological activism in the long term. In the very first stages, yes, they could have better organization. But the very pressure of combat always shapes up revolutionary movements into military efficiency. And if the same military and political geniuses end up leading the pro status quo supers that masterminded postwar Iraq, well, the revolution has already won

...

Did I fail to mention Magneto as a role model ? Shortsighted slander from the lackeys of The Man won't keep true heroes from doing what's just and necessary. Besides, history is written by the victors

 

For what it's worth, I have written nothing that even hinted at the "humans must make their own choices" faction being "fervent belie(vers) in The American Way".

 

There is nothing particularly "American Way" about opposition to the kind of terrorist actions you described on the previous page - religious genocide, ethnic cleansing, murdering "anti-American" political leaders, and so on.

 

The "human self-determination" supers are not defenders of the status quo. Rather, they are the participants in a non-aggression pact and military alliance. They set their own agendas aside as a precondition for banding together against their enemies - those with incompatible agendas, such as the one you described.

 

Or at least some of them do. Others may do it on principle, and still others (really probably most) for a mix of the two reasons.

 

The "human self-determination" supers are the ones who would defend North Korea against attack by other superhumans. The "American Way" supers are likely to be the ones who would attack North Korea. That's the difference.

 

And as for Magneto: his victory has been inevitable for forty years now...

 

Hmm... now what was this thread about, initially, anyway? Oh yeah, now I remember!

 

Yes, lots of young supers - well, super-me and super-Wanderer, anyway - would engage in trying to change the world. The result would inevitably end up being violent, as different agendas clashed. But we would still do it.

 

And it's not a function of age, either. I'm over 40 now, and I would still try to change the world and/or prevent Wanderer from changing it his way.

 

It would be immoral not to!

[zornwil]

Re: An odd question

 

I think that, if it's me as of today with superpowers, I wouldn't join the factions, though I'd consider joining those who say humans have to determine their own path and if absolutely forced might do so reluctantly. I suppose what I would join against would be those uber-powerful ones who seem capable of changing things all by themselves. Otherwise I tend to see this as merely an extension of existing human conflicts and I would stay uninvolved, preferring to police and play vigilante in my corner of the world.

 

PS - on occassion I might go after "obvious" terrorists/related political criminals, which is to say those obvious to me, but I think that would be quite rare. I don't think I'd bother to go after bin Laden as he'd be such a hot target the major motivated supers would do so already, along with those government-employed. Of course if I came across him somehow coincidentally I'd take him down, circumstances permitting (i.e., if he also weren't some powerful metahuman and killed me, or if he were so out of my league it would be suicide to take him on).

[rayoman]

Re: An odd question

 

Hmmm... pretty sure that if I posted a picture of myself with large breasts I'd never get Rep again.

 

somebody on the this board would like it.

 

I wouldn't like it but I betcha someone would like it.

[rayoman]

Re: An odd question

 

You do realize that even though you have 700-800 powers your stats are for the average Geek and all your points are very similar to Cypher's from the New Mutants.

 

 

 

Let’s see:

 

[rayoman]

Re: An odd question

 

Personally, I would not take out Nations, Dictators or fight famine. I would just take out everyone that I feel has done something stupid. I get to define Stupid too, my powers would see to it.

 

 

On second thought, screw it, I would be too lonely if I take out all the stupid people. I'd just fly to work and play World of Warcraft in my spare time.

[Guest WhammeWhamme]

Re: An odd question

 

You do realize that even though you have 700-800 powers your stats are for the average Geek and all your points are very similar to Cypher's from the New Mutants.

 

Er, no.

 

a) Characteristics is a Power. So superstrength, toughness, etc. would be legal even under the interpretation you're taking.

 

The question relates to an actual game. The PC's in it are 750 points, and have a wide variety of abilities. With no real restrictions (bar 'no magic')

[Bucky]

Re: An odd question

 

What I don't get about your proposal is what exactly makes the superhuman "superior" rulers? The fact they have powers threw some genetic fluke or quirk of fate? To take a character from the Champions Universe' date=' what makes Bulldozer innately qualified to rule? Or if you want more power, Gravitar for that matter? I could almost see Destroyer being an effective ruler with is intelligence (if it wasn't for that whole sociopathic meglomanic thing). Unless you go by some theory of Might makes Right and Divine Entitlement.[/quote'] That is kinda the point. They would suck as rulers as any small group would. But they might perceive themselves as being superior simply because they are super. And so take the rule by force. "Make me Supreme Overlord of this planet, or see it vaporized." They got powers, the rest of humanity don't. They can, the rest of humanity cannot stop them. So, it will happen.

 

You ask a logical question with a clear cut answer. But the problem is the target audience will be too busy, or feel insulted by you asking, therefore, they ain't gonna listen

[Bucky]

Re: An odd question

 

I fail to see why fervent belief in The American Way would garantee greater tactical insight than say superhuman supremacy' date=' socialism or ecological activism in the long term. In the very first stages, yes, they could have better organization. But the very pressure of combat always shapes up revolutionary movements into military efficiency. And if the same military and political geniuses end up leading the pro status quo supers that masterminded postwar Iraq, well, the revolution has already won [/quote']Directly it does not. But indirectly, if you listen to what the "American Way" is all about, it does give greater tactical insight and advantages that no small group aristocracy, with or without powers can really match.

 

What the "American way" is all about is summed up in the Declaration of Independence. All men are created equal. This is physical BS, as anyone who has taken a look at the Governator can attest to. But politically, it is a very important message, indeed one which works far better than any other political ideal that has come down the pike.

 

Why? Simple. More brains on any one particular challenge or job. You can be very smart, have read through the entire "Great Books of the Western World" from Brittanica, and all that. But you are limited by the fact you live only your one life. You don't know what anyone else has experienced, what trials and tribulations other folks have lived with, how they have met down the challenges in their lives. And you don't know what weird combinations of experiences and data will produce a new good idea, a solution that other have missed.

 

By recognizing that ALL people can contribute, you are able to put more brains on whatever job you may have. You don't care if you chief codebreaker wears bunny slippers with his uniform. He still was able to figure out when and where the Japanese were going to attack, thereby alter the course of World War 2.

 

With a feudalism, or any other kind of authoritarian rule, you got an information problem. You got your people worried about giving bad news to the super powered boss. A boss with arbitrary power who can kill you with impunity. You got your people simply not knowing there will be a shortage of widgets in South Dakota next week, because they are too busy focused on the crisis in California. You got factories making 17,000 shoes in sizes too small to be worn by average folks, simply to make the production quotas you set.

 

There is a reason why America is a 11 trillion dollar a year economy, that it is larger than the rest of the G-8 nations combined. There is a reason why it has the military strength it has. Why it has the political influence in the rest of the world, or its movies are widely seen overseas. It all comes down to "The American Way" that so many want to abandon, or discard as being jingoistic or out of date. By letting folks fend for themselves when and where they can, and leaving them alone for the most part, ordinary average human beings are able to think up incredible things. And then figure out ways to do them.

 

Besides which, altruism is the philosophy of food.

[Wanderer]

Re: An odd question

 

Continuing the thread hijack...

 

Indeed. I'm most rather reluctant to continue the crime, but since part of the issue was our subjective POV in the hypothesis we got powers, this moght have some value...

 

For what it's worth, I have written nothing that even hinted at the "humans must make their own choices" faction being "fervent belie(vers) in The American Way".

 

It was a quick descriptive label. Non-interference supers are most often of the "Truth Justice & American Way" ideological stance too in comics.

 

There is nothing particularly "American Way" about opposition to the kind of terrorist actions you described on the previous page - religious genocide, ethnic cleansing, murdering "anti-American" political leaders, and so on.

 

I would define terrorism use of random indiscriminate violence against innocent uninvolved passerby civilians. What you define terrorists I define rebels or revolutionaries. Labels, anyway. Political leaders like Kim Il Sung wouldn't be eliminted b/c they are anti-American. Because they are both genocidal dictators and an inexcusable mess as leaders. Violent Islamic religious fanatics would got exterminated like rabid dogs b/c they are currently one of the clear and present dangers to mankind, they are terrorists, and no discernible good can come to mankind from their actions or the goals they pursue. As about ethnic cleansing... Huh ? It wasn't none in the agenda.

 

 

The "human self-determination" supers are not defenders of the status quo. Rather, they are the participants in a non-aggression pact and military alliance. They set their own agendas aside as a precondition for banding together against their enemies - those with incompatible agendas, such as the one you described.

 

Hmm, now I see the faction agenda you describe more clearly. Indeed they might likely emerge as yet another major faction. It might indeed stay separate ally with government-affiliated and pro-status-quo supers. Well said. I missed envisioning the emergence of such a faction.

 

The "make a finer world" faction would likely object to such a stance that any potential good coming from non-interference does not balance the harms from letting clear and present evils continue (such as ecological despoiliation, political and economical injustice, famine, etc.) and that since godlike superpowers are a reality, not using them to redress problems is a criminal waste of resources.

 

The "human self-determination" supers are the ones who would defend North Korea against attack by other superhumans. The "American Way" supers are likely to be the ones who would attack North Korea. That's the difference.

 

The "make a finer world" supers would make North Korea one of their primary targets on the ground that no discernible good and a lot of harm is coming to the Korean people and the world from allowing the North Korea dictatorship in power. Plus, that people has no real possibility of being able to exercise "self-determination" and oust the dictator right now, so "non-interference" is hypocrisy indirectly condoning and supporting killing fields and widespread famine to keep army and secret police well-fed.

 

And as for Magneto: his victory has been inevitable for forty years now...

 

Malicious and ever-more unprobable stacking the deck against our hero from writers lackeying to The Man can't forever keep the glorious mutant revolution from triumphing eventually. Genosha was but a start.

 

Yes, lots of young supers - well, super-me and super-Wanderer, anyway - would engage in trying to change the world. The result would inevitably end up being violent, as different agendas clashed. But we would still do it.

 

The eventuality of super-me and super-Assault having to clash in the field from ideological differences might be such a tragic, sad outcome. Nothing like the glorious, joyous release of trampling defenders of the injust status quo in the mud Anyway, from the concurring, inevitable sum of all the efforts of people like both of us, the world would be irrevocably changed. It would be a phase of radical, violent upheaval of magnitude paragonable to World Wars and Cold War combined.

 

And it's not a function of age, either. I'm over 40 now, and I would still try to change the world and/or prevent Wanderer from changing it his way.

 

It would be immoral not to!

 

Again, I concur. Its not about age. It's about your world-view and system of values. Being given cosmic superpowers means the single individual can change its personal agenda for the world from idle daydream fantasy to immediately enforceable program. Even now, given cosmic superpowers, I would still try to change the world according to most of the general goals I've described (e.g. ousting dictatorships, humanitarian relief, terraforming, enforcing enviromentalism, supporting libertarianism and basic welfare, support space exploration, exterminating religious terrorists and supporters). And I wouldn't take any law or authority as a meaningful objection (convincing demonstration that an action would in the end do more harm than good would be another issue). It would be a self-imposed duty. With Great Power Comes Responsibility And Duty To Use It To The Best Of Your Judgement.