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We humans are so ready for superpowers. I often talk to my ten-year-old about which superpowers he would choose — his top three are super-speed, freezing time, and teleportation. While these are superb choices, in reality, superpowers don’t exist — or do they? Maybe certain humans are capable of such incredible feats through hidden abilities that science is only beginning to understand. But which ones are the most conceivable?
1. Super Strength
Strength is on a spectrum, so super strength to someone at the bottom end would be reasonable. In 2008, a firefighter named Chris Hickman found a car crash survivor pinned by a flipped Chevrolet Blazer SUV. Hickman lifted the 4,500 lb car 12 inches off the ground, freeing the passenger’s trapped arm.
2. Super Sight
There is already a discrepancy between those with perfect 20-20 vision and others with less ocular endowment. However, would it be unreasonable for someone to be born with a mutation with extra eye rods or cones, the visual receptors that allow us to see light?
3. Super Intelligence
The idea that anyone could have hyper-intelligence seems to become a stronger reality by the day. Elon Musk’s Neuralink company is pioneering experimental brain implant technology, which is aimed at helping those with cognitive impairments. Musk has already declared the future will likely include augmented intelligence.
4. Echolocation
The skill of echolocation is what most consider exclusively for bats, orcas, and some bird species. However, while Daredevil’s acute echolocation skills are fictional, the visually impaired also use them. Some blind people can gauge where large objects are by using sound to find the echo range.
5. Super Hearing
Misophonia sufferers will attest that super hearing exists, though it can be despairing when you can’t switch it off. Such a superpower is unnecessary in modern times with all the high-tech recording devices at our disposal, though imagine being able to tune into any conversation like Superman.
6. Invisibility
Of course, nobody outside those slightly creepy street magicians can disappear, though the technology is already here. Recent developments with invisibility shields are well documented; though the day invisibility suits are invented, the world will suddenly change. Whether it will be a safer or more dangerous place is up for debate.
7. Mind Reading
There are already dozens of renowned mentalists who can read minds, though how they do it is a secret. It requires a “suggestible” candidate as the subject, though nobody knows how Derren Brown, Lior Suchard, or Alex McAleer do what they do.
8. Anti Aging
A curious story arose this year when a man claimed to be replenishing his father’s 70-year-old blood with that of his 17-year-old son. Tech billionaire Bryan Johnson claims that by exchanging plasma, he can prolong life by reversing aging. Moreover, many studies show that age reversal may be achievable shortly.
9. Amphibiousness
Some humans have an incredible ability to hold their breath for long periods underwater. For example, the Badjaos in the Philippines are a fishing tribe that spends lots of time underwater laying nets and spearfishing. Accounts allegedly show they can hold their breath for up to 13 minutes. Furthermore, freedivers train themselves to hold their breath for pro-human levels of time.
10. Lung Capacity
It is common knowledge that people living in higher altitudes are naturally fitter when they come to sea-level ground. However, certain humans have naturally stronger lung capacity, giving them superhuman abilities at higher altitudes. Studies found that Himalayan Sherpas have more mitochondria in their muscles, making them better for absorbing oxygen into their bodies.
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