Superheroes are staging a comeback. They don’t just exist in our stories. They’re infiltrating our lives. Here’s proof from a recent Real Life Superhero contest, which rewards random acts of kindness:
Being superheroes
I’m curious about the role that superheroes—real and imagined—can play in our lives.
Most people are interested in superheroes from an early age. Many children, and even some adults, like to reenact the lives of people with superhuman powers. The New Zealand film Boy plays on this beautifully.
Superman was one of my favourite superheroes when I was a child. I was convinced that I could fly like him, but only if I had complete faith in my birdly abilities. I tried flying many times. My last attempt was the least successful. My oldest sister had convinced me that taking flight from the ground is too difficult for a novice. I needed more altitude. She suggested launching myself from the roof. Alas, my six year old body was not tall enough to scale the outside of our house. She suggested her upstairs window instead (she’s really ingenious). Unfortunately our mother wasn’t impressed when she witnessed me flying from the window in my superman outfit. I hit reality hard. My body was bruised, but my self-belief was battered. I got recognised for my determination and a warning that I Better Not Try That Again. My sister got a Good Telling Off.
Another of my superheroes was the Man From Atlantis. He could breathe underwater. I would mimic the way that he swam like a dolphin. I’d hold my breath underwater until I almost passed out. Luckily I also survived these attempts.
Superhero powers
Where does our interest in superheroes come from? Does part of ourself know that special powers really do exist and that reality is a trick of the imagination? OK, we might not be able to emit laser beams from our eyes, but there’s a lot of mystery in all of us.
I have learned that flying over tall buildings and breathing underwater are not my superpowers (although I do love climbing things and diving). I’m still heartened by that innocent faith of a child though: I only need to believe in my power. We’re often limited by our self-imposed beliefs. What if we do have a superhero inside of us?
Actually, superheroes are everywhere. Dave Eggers is a great example. As he showed in his TED talk a few years ago, many of us respond well to creative powers. He lured children into better learning by creating “Pirate Supplies Stores” that were a front for after-school tutoring and community building. He also inspired other centres like the Brooklyn Superhero Supplies store, which doesn’t even reveal its hidden identity on its website as a learning centre.
A superhero’s powers may not even be visible. Their power is expressed in the magical effects that they have in our lives. When I think about superheroes now I think about the people who most inspire me. Superman isn’t top of my list anymore. Some of my heroes include my grandmother June, one of my old University lecturers, and Albert Einstein. These diverse people, among many more, have all left powerful impressions on me. They are people who have gracefully led their own lives.
Our own superpowers
What I like about the everyday superhero competition, even though it’s a commercial stunt, is that it rewards people for using their natural born powers to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. We don’t need Superman’s powers to do that. We don’t even need to wear our undies on the outside of our trousers (but don’t let me stop you). All we need to do is realise our own special powers (i.e. the gifts that we have) and use them for good effect.
So let’s remember our superheroes: the people who most inspire us, even if it’s simply for their acts of honesty, courage or kindness. Let’s allow our imagination to take flight. Einstein once said that “imagination is more important than knowledge.” That man really deserved a cape.
