If you are spiderman, would you save the world?

Singapore
March 22, 2007 11:00am CST
It's spider time!! No need to run, I am not talking about that furry 8-legged creepy that I always threaten to squash on sight. I am talking about spiderman - you know, that cute guy in the red and blue webby outfit. :P For those who have forgotten the story, this superhero was pretty much an average nerd till he was bitten by an extraordinary spider. Subsequently, he gained incredible eyesight and was able to shoot sticky webs from under his wrist. In all his movies, it's always him aka. Mr Good Guy versus all the bad guys. At first glance, having the power he has in this rather unexciting world seems a big deal. But if you just stop what you are doing now and concentrate on imagining yourself in his shoes, would you feel as carefree? Let's imagine you are spiderman now (for the ladies, you can please imagine yourself to be e.g. wonder woman). You have this awesome ability to save people; yet no one says the world is your responsibility. What would you do? Would you take on this thankless task and make it your life's mission? Or would you devise devious ways to use your power for personal gains? Or would you play the "traveling saint" and lend a helping hand as fate decrees? Or... ? Do share your thoughts. ;-)
26 people like this
92 responses
• United States
22 Mar 07
I would definately use my powers for good; however, doing something here and there for personal gain would be really tempting. LOL I would hope that I could hold myself back and do ONLY good! I know I wouldn't turn evil, but I might be tempted to help me or my family out in some way here and there. :)
3 people like this
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
Well, maybe we *can* mix business with pleasure. ;-)
@Zalvor (727)
• Turkey
22 Mar 07
Actually Spider-man himself goes through this, he is unconcerned about the people at first, until the time his uncle is killed by the very criminal he let pass. I think helping others is really a spiritual maturity that comes with realizing that giving to those in need is the greatest feeling in the world. Imagine tourists who are lost in your country and they ask you for a specific place. You can make them happy and receive their blessing by showing them the right way. Or does it not make you happy when you take a lost child to his mother? I think this happiness comes from feeling useful, because we want to be appreciated. I don't really care about super powers; they are great for what they are, but they are still tools, and not a source of happiness in themselves, that is until they prove useful for a worthy cause. The more you are powerful, the more you need to be appreciated, because you simply know more. What is more frustrating then knowing too much, but not being able to use that knowledge in a practical sense? But when you give up egoism, and see other people's problems as your own, and use the totality of your being to help those in need, not 'only' your super powers...that is a super-spirit! Or simply put...an enlightened human being!
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
tsk tsk - You are in the running for best response!
Well said!
@yanjiaren (9031)
22 Mar 07
Well for one as I would be so busy saving the ruddy world I would forget about getting a boob job to be WONDER WOMAN!!!I mean can you imagine the attention I would get flying arounb in a pair of 44 dd'slol? I eouldn't have time to look at a man!! I would only take on the role if I could take my hubby with me, other wise I would prefer to be a jedi..i dig jedi clothes more than wonderwoman in y fronts!! But , yes I relish the idea of nocking out a few baddies.IU would like to have some wicked Kung Fus skills and tought over night by great masters..Now that WOULD be cool..
3 people like this
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
tsk tsk - You are in the running for best medal!
Well, I think you would look good flying around like that.^^
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
I know I should give you a proper response here, might lose another cent from my earnings. You know what kind of a person I am. If I'm wonder woman, I will go on extending my help using all my supernatural powers. I will also seek those perverted animals who keep hurting innocent people. Might as well use our awesome ability in the most unselfish way.
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
haha :P
1 person likes this
@karvin87 (1033)
• India
22 Mar 07
WITH MORE POWER COMES MORE RESPOSIBILITY!!!! as rightly said in the movie, i would stick to the above phrase.. i feel if i am given specail powers then it would be only to help other , not myself for sure...
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
It would be interesting to see that guy in your avatar don the spiderman suit. :P
1 person likes this
@kaperkitty (1097)
• Canada
22 Mar 07
first of all being wonder woman, cool outfit, torpedo boobies how hot is that then there is the lasso very interesting lol..but how would you every decide who needs your help most?? in case all of us haven't noticed we are in a bit of a mess each any every second...is a child in an apartment fire in New York less worthy than a starving child in Ethiopia? wow i can't imagine having the knowledge i could save anyone but not everyone it would be overwhelming.. Cheryl (yet again great topic)
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
Pretty overwhelming, yea.. only 1 of you and there is THE WORLD to save...
1 person likes this
@rainbow (6761)
22 Mar 07
Can I be Fat Woman instead - sort of like Cat Woman but there's a lot more tight suit, lol. I would save people who needed me, I quite like your idea of a traveling saint to be honest. I would have to be givena biscuit to induce my special powers so anyone with ginger biscuits or coconut rings is a person I could help!
2 people like this
@rainbow (6761)
28 Mar 07
Well, I do have a reputation to uphold, but I could do deeds in the promise of any biscuit really, it's just saving the world that needs coconut rings (less calories due to hole - shows my fans care), lol.
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
Oh boy, pretty choosy, eh? :P
2 people like this
@weemam (13372)
22 Mar 07
let me take a minute first to admire myself , OH ! Boy ! lovely and slim in a tight fitting costume , to hell with anything else I am just gonna stand in front of the mirror and admire myself , Maybe do some good deeds later but just a minute please lol xx
@weemam (13372)
23 Mar 07
lol yes my friend ,, we can but dream xx
1 person likes this
• Singapore
24 Mar 07
I have always been a dreamer. In fact, I will put that on my name cards for the next set I make. :P
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
Maybe you can even compete in Ms Universe! :P
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
22 Mar 07
I saw a brilliant film last night called Outlaw (shown in the UK) about this barrister having his pregnant wife killed beccause he was prosecuting a high profile crime lord the legal system even failed him as a barrister and he joined a renegade group for revenge. And that's exactly what I would do. As spiderman I would reek revenge on anyone who was bullied, the legal system failed them or were mugged and raped. Ever seen the Equalizer with Edward Woodward? Well I'd be him, as Spiderman using my superpowers to bring people to a nasty end and rid the world of scum.
3 people like this
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
nice.
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Good morning Lordwarwizard, It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Hmmm, Spider-man, eh? OK, well since I believe that everything happens for a reason I would have concluded that the nasty, creepy eight-legger bit ME for a specific reason. So, I would be compelled to make the best use of the gift possible. I would not seek to stand justice over all the nasty, creepy two-legger's out there, as I think the job of judgement lies with one far wiser than myself. And yes, I would dedicate myself to living as an honorable role-model, acting in the best interest of good-hearted, average jo's everywhere. Would it be a sacrifice? Absolutely! Would it be worth it? The logical answer would be -- Who knows? Yet, deep at my core I strongly suspect it would be very worth it. How easily sleep would come each night if, as we rest our heads on the pillow a smile graced our faces, satisfied in knowing that it was truly a 'good' day. Yup, I'd trade my rain slicker for that cute spidey-outfit anyday.
2 people like this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Hello Lordwarwizard, Your questions and responses are insightful and thought-provoking, with just the right dash of humor. As such, I'm very pleased to accept the request. Thank you for the overature.
1 person likes this
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
The pleasure is mine, Lady Luna. Limitup spoke very highly of you so I thought I would send you a friend request. Thank you for accepting it. ;-)
1 person likes this
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
I look forward to having more of you here. ;-)
1 person likes this
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
23 Mar 07
I'll think of myself as Spider girl. And as Uncle Ben said "With great power comes great resopnsibility". I think I would end up trying to help people, but as we have seen and read in movies and comics, superheros are rarely live a carefee existance. All the best heros have agnst about their powers and responsibilities often longing to live a "normal" life, while still feeling an obligation to their fellow man. After all Spiderman is only one man. He can't be everywhere in the city at once. What if while he is saving a woman from a mugger, across town a building burns killing another person? I think an important lesson that we learn from superheros is that even with extra-human powers and abilities, we can't do, or be responsibile for everything in our lives and the lives of others, even if we desperatly want to help.
• United States
23 Mar 07
That is very true...But I think I would have guilt about not being able to save everyone. I'm a bit of a control freak :-)
2 people like this
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
One life saved *is* one life saved. No? :P
2 people like this
@joanana (770)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I cannot really picture myself as the superhero, I never have been able to. I think that's why I always identify with the villianized characters and those who are the basic anti-hero. I can honestly say I wouldn't set out to take over the world, because in all honesty who wants it? But I think I would be more likely to use my abilities to improve my lot in life and the lives of those around me. Corrupt politicians and people that just need their butts kicked stay away from me! But don't expect me to done a cape and rush to the aid of every single individual.
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
Ahh... so you are the bad gal! :P
• Singapore
24 Mar 07
Might that not be a waste of such great powers? :P
@joanana (770)
• United States
24 Mar 07
Well I don't know about the bad girl/villian thing either. Like I said, I don't really see myself taking over the world or anything. I would I guess operate along the lines of Catwoman. What I need to survive, help those close to me, and beat the crap out anyone who would piss me off. XD So in a way that would make me bad...but not really. I'd also be likely to help someone in need if I was there and could do something, but not because I was a "superhero"
2 people like this
@jencai (3412)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
if i would become wonder, i would like to save people from any harm. this way i can feel much better for helping people. i will choose it to become my mission in life. to save lives. i am not telling this because i wanted to become well-known hero, but rather provide every people with security in life and threat. wonder woman! lol!
3 people like this
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
Noble, eh? :P
1 person likes this
@DeaXyza (577)
• United States
23 Mar 07
hey wow that would be great ! but can the Spider -man/woman stop , Greed, War and is there anyway we could stop children being orphaned then I am all for it. Even if it is thankless I would love to do it! Peace is all that we need the rest can be taken care of by the mere un-flying mortals. And for using the power to my own gains ofcourse I shall be using them for some of my personal gains like when I fly the love my life is going to get all those free flying miles all over the world, no more travelling coach, the motto shall be a flight with a view unparalleled, the heroine shall save the world.... yeahhhhh
2 people like this
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
Oh, you forgot to mention stopping poverty. :P
1 person likes this
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
How do you eliminate greed? You have to kill everyone before that can happen.
1 person likes this
@DeaXyza (577)
• United States
23 Mar 07
you are so right I forgot Poverty but I thought if I fight the root cause which is greed then Poverty would get liberated by itself! won't it?
2 people like this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
25 Mar 07
I would use my superpowers to try and save the world and prevent as many crimes as I could. Obviously a superhero can not stop all crimes since there are too many happening. I think we should not be greedy or selfish to help ourselves with the power we gained but to use it to help other people. I think it would be more rewarding to help people in need of help than to help ourselves.
• Singapore
25 Mar 07
Nice. ^^
@shineison (874)
• Uganda
24 Mar 07
If i will a spider man i will never wear like spider, i will wear different costumes, will not like to be recognized, what i will do then? i will 1st of all make my family and my relatives and my friends RICH. Then i will go out to make every poor rich, and then i will go to help the world, I will try to make every one happy, its difficult to spread happiness in world but we have to try.
• Singapore
24 Mar 07
Hahaha, vain pot. :P
@ILANEDRI (1921)
• Israel
24 Mar 07
No, I don't think that I would save the world if I had spiderman abbilities. I would save people if they get into troubles, but I won't search people to help all the time. I probably will have ordinary life.
2 people like this
• Singapore
24 Mar 07
I just have a sudden thought that there may be many spidermen already around - but they are just hiding in their own corners and helping their friends. Someone needs to introduce me to a spider man! ;P
2 people like this
• Georgia
23 Mar 07
I believe that everyone has an act of kindness within themselves, so being a hero does not mean one has to have super powers, one can just what ever they can. But if I were to have abilities, the answer would be "YES" of course I'd help this world, we live here, thrive here, I think everyone should do their part to make this place better for everyone including the ones to come.
2 people like this
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
;-)
@kclaret59 (587)
• Philippines
25 Mar 07
if you mean to ask if i would save the world from monsters like green goblin, well certainly i will.. since there is no one else who can do that.. and if you are talking about reality situation, well i wouldn't.. no
2 people like this
• Singapore
25 Mar 07
Er... green goblin? :P
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
23 Mar 07
Interesting you should bring this up I was just talking about this subject with a friend of mine. In psychology there is a school of thought that says if you have the same personality traits of someone who is a wanna be hero than you also have the same personality as those who are the evil do'ers. At first I argued this vehemently thinking this just cant be true but the way it was described to me is to be a complete person you need to be in the I'm ok your ok camp. Where as the other camp means you are suffering from personal trsgedy in your past (all comic book superhero's and criminals) and think you need to conform the world to your thinking or morals. Unfortunately I am not in the I am ok your ok camp ... lol.
• Singapore
23 Mar 07
I am having an awful headache just this moment so I am not sure if I can fully appreciate what you said.
1 person likes this