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Superhuman
so͞opərˈ(h)yo͞omə
adjective
A human with extraordinary capabilities that far exceed that of an ordinary human.
Many of us gotten our first ideas about Superhumans from Comics.
Throughout the years so many unique and interesting characters, and many alternate realities and universes have been created in graphic novels and comic books. Many iconic superheroes and villains are known today throughout the world.
The superhuman superheroes leapt from comics to anime, cartoons and live action Hollywood blockbuster movies. Youthful audiences thrilled to the experience of enjoying their comic heroes on screen, as films such as Superman and Batman were joined by The Crow, Spawn, Watchmen, Constantine, Sin City, Hellboy, The Dark Knight, Man of Steel, X–Men and Avengers.
So what is it to be a Superhuman? And is it possible that they exist today?
From as far back as at least 7,000 years ago,
…Civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China and Greece told tales of beings with powers and abilities capable of extraordinary feats.
Are these legends the original inspiration for our modern day Superheroes?
Japan speaks of legends of Shinobi (Ninja)
…Capable of feats of amazing agility, stealth, and evasion. Unseen assassins and masters of espionage, the Ninja and their amazing abilities have reached mythical proportions. Legends and folklore speak of feats such as invisibility, the ability to run on water, scale walls, shape–shift and even fly.
Did the Shinobi simply excel at training and the art of deception, or was it something more?
From seers such as Nostradamus to mystics
…Like Rasputin to illusionists like Harry Houdini, history has abounded with tales of humans who could tap into astounding powers and abilities. Were these men practitioners of genuine precognition, premonitions and magic?
Or were they masters of manipulation, misdirection, and illusion?
There are claims that people have the ability to access and use more of their brain, unlocking Psionic abilities (e.g., telepathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, levitation, etc.)
In Star Wars, both Jedi and Sith are able to feel and use the power of the Force.
This Force is accessed through harnessing the power of midi–chlorians, microscopic bio–organic symbiotic entities that reside in the cells of all living things. This “midi–chlorian” is actually based loosely on the very real mitochondria, a cellular power plant found in the cells of almost all known life forms.
Mitochondria even have a genome independent of the host cell’s DNA. They control a cell’s life cycle, from growth to death, and contain a vast amount of energy. What if we could tap into the power of the human mitochondrial genome?
Could we unlock unknown true potential powers?
Some believe that Homo Sapiens are at the next step in our evolution.
Is already upon us. Do we possess a mutant gene that is responsible for our next step?
In the Marvel Universe there is the X–Gene, and those with this gene start exhibiting enhanced and extraordinary powers and abilities by adolescence.
Many characters in the Marvel Universe believe this is the next step in human evolution, thus being categorized as Homo Supremus rather than Homo Sapiens.
What if Homo Sapiens are actually evolving in to Homo Supremus?
Now that we have broken the DNA code, we can now begin to alter it.
Genetic manipulation is now common practice, within reason. From livestock, to fish, to insects, to crops all altered for various reasons. Sheep have been cloned, mammals and reptiles DNA code spliced and altered. They have even created a glow in the Dark Rabbit by Splicing its DNA with that of a Jelly Fish, thereby adopting bioluminescent qualities.
What if genome research lead to genetic manipulation with humans?
In Comic Books Peter Parker was bit by a radioactive genetically enhanced spider, thus adopting certain Spider attributes and becoming Spiderman.
Splinter and 4 turtles come into contact with a man made green ooze (Mutagen), subsequently changing their DNA into Anthropomorphic Superhumans and becoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The film “Splice” follows the story of Dren, of whom is a genetically engineered human–animal hybrid. While this may all seem like fiction, reality may not be far off.
Science is reaching a point where in the near future we will be able to alter the DNA of humans. Through the technique known as Crispr, this gene editing allows detailed and specific alterations to any part of 23 pairs of human chromosomes in DNA.
This could have health benefits, curing certain disabilities, handicaps and illnesses. Eventually this technique might be able to target specific genes, and thereby customize humans entirely. From the pigment of our skin, eyes and hair, to even possibly targeting codes responsible for genetic traits such as being artistic, having a higher I.Q., or even strength, speed and agility.
Movies such as “Universal Solder”, and Video games like “Metal Gear” explore the subject of Genome Soldiers, their enhanced abilities and the consequences of genetic manipulation.
Will we manipulate and dictate our own evolutionary path?
Will superhumans actually be created through genetic manipulation?
Science and technology have allowed us to do some incredible things in the age of computers and the internet.
From access to vast amounts of knowledge at ones fingertips, and to communicate with people across the globe, and create 3D models and blueprints that have real world applications. Video Games allow us to become someone different with incredible abilities, and experience an alternate virtual world.
In “The Matrix” trilogy of films, people jack into the matrix, a virtual world reflecting the 21st century, and are able to do incredible feats that physical limitations in the real world would not allow. These characters essentially become superhumans through a virtual matrix mainframe construct.
In the movie “Tron,” The Master Control Program, an Artificial Intelligence that becomes self–aware, traps Kevin Flynn in the ENCOM mainframe. He must then fight programs that represent their creators in a virtual digital world. Because he is a “user” from the real world, he can manipulate reality in this digital existence in a way no program can.
Will computers, video games and the internet be the next step in humanity’s evolution to becoming Superhuman?
Technology may create the next superhumans through real life applications.
Engineering and Technological advancements are being made every day. Artificial organs such as a Total Artificial Heart, and Prosthetics such as the Spring Foot are now common place. Animatronics are advancing everyday, creating more and more lifelike artificial robots—machines with human–like appendages that are stronger and faster than their human counterparts. A combination of these two concepts as Cybernetics could be the next step.
Being able to replace failing organs and lost limbs with cybernetic upgrades that improve performance, strength and speed. Our video games could be windows into a quickly approaching new human existence. Genetic and cybernetic enhancement of the abilities of characters like Raiden and Grey Fox in “Metal Gear” are presently far beyond human capabilities. But the horizon is ablaze with evolving possibilities. Exo–suits will be capable of enhancing our abilities far beyond what is now capable of flesh alone. There might be cybernetic surgically installed exo–skeleton suits (like Max’s in the film “Elysium”). There might be powered suits worn by the likes of the bounty hunter Samus in “Metroid”, or the Spartan Master Chief John–117 in “Halo”, or Tony Stark’s “Ironman” creation.
Are Super Humans already amongst us?
Ordinary people are capable of amazing feats of strength, reaction and speed when in fear for their life or the lives of others.
Fear stimulates the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus sends out a chemical signal to your adrenal glands, which releases adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones. This allows us to think quicker and react faster, while enhancing physical strength and endurance, and even dulling sensitivity to pain. Our heart rate increases, our pupils dilate, our respiration increases, pumping more oxygen to our muscles, shaking with the surge of Adrenaline.
Fire fighters, soldiers, parents and even children have performed incredible superhuman feats during life–threatening situations.
Does Fear Make us Super Human?
Trained Olympic Athletes are breaking more records now than ever before.
Usain Bolt with blinding speed in the 100m and 200m events, winning 6 golds in 2 Olympics. Michael Phelps winning 8 Gold Medals in one year, and 22 Medals over the course of 3 Olympics. Was this due to hard work, dedication, physical conditioning, training and technique? Or are these athletes, and many like them, actually superhuman?
Why does the idea of “superhuman” fascinate? As children we daydreamed of teleportation, of flying, of lifting incredibly heavy objects (perhaps only with our minds), of reading others’ thoughts or seeing into the future, being invisible and, of course, living forever. Is it simply our desire to be “more?” Or is it the freedom of being able to do anything, without limitations?
Or is it the duality of Superheroes that attracts us? Does it speak to our desire to create an alter ego in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Does it speak to that part of us, our true self, that we must keep secret so that other people may not judge or fear what they do not understand about us?
Do we love our superheroes because they are so different than us, or do we relate to them because we are so very much alike?
Your Thoughts
If superhumans were discovered to exist, would they be honored as the next generation of our evolutionary heritage, or hunted and killed and captured as an alien threat?
You’ve had a lifetime since childhood to decide, so here’s the question: What is the ONE super–power you would choose to possess (and why)?
Will there always be a separation between A.I. androids and humans, even if it’s virtually impossible to distinguish between without an autopsy? Could androids supersede humans as the next evolution of humanity? Or, just the opposite, if androids are forever officially designated as machines, will they be abused in “slavery” scenarios?
Are all–powerful ever–vigilantly protecting superheroes simply the fantasies of powerless common citizens despairing of ever finding peace or justice in our dysfunctional system of laws, cops and courts?
Are superheroes simply the expression of our in–born instinct to strive to be the most we can be, mentally and physically?
