Ain’t We Just: Rambling Thoughts About Superpowers And Using The Powers For Good

/ Ally Bean

Let’s just say for purposes of discussion that my superpower is mind reading. A fact [?] I discerned after taking this nifty National Geographic Superpower Quiz.

You see, and this was news to me but considering the source we must conclude that, superpowers aren’t just for fictional characters anymore. To wit, I proudly tell you this is who I am:

“You can read minds! Well, not exactly, but you’re very aware of how others feel.” Yep, true dat

Naturally I wanted to get a deeper understanding of who I am so I went to my old friend, Merriam-Webster, to research the word.

As one does.

According to M-W a “mind reader” is “one that professes or is held to be able to perceive another’s thought without normal means of communication” and that the first known use of the word, which in this case is actually two words but who am I to argue with M-W’s way of explaining things, occurred in 1875.

[A studious aside: In case you’re unfamiliar with M-W’s Time Traveler feature it’s fun for a wordy person. To see what it is like, click HERE and learn what other words* were new in 1875. Information like this is available under most definitions, just scroll down the page to the feature.]

Anyhoo, getting back to the discussion aspect of this post, after learning the aforementioned I started pondering, in an abstract rhetorical way, about how does one use any superpower for good:

• In general do you think, like I do, that determining and acknowledging your superpower is one thing? But implementing it, like a hero** not a villain, is another thing? Two different skill sets, two different moral cores

• And further, specifically, what do you do with the ability to read minds? It’s one thing to know what someone else is thinking but that doesn’t mean you have the capacity, or desire, to change their mind. ‘Ya know?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

If you took the quiz, what is your superpower? OR if you don’t need a quiz to know your superpower, what is it?

Are you a wordy person who likes knowing a bit more about interesting words that appear in your life? Is Merriam-Webster your old friend, too?

When you think about fictional heroes with superpowers who comes to mind? Is the source from myths, literature, movies, TV shows, cartoons, comics, or games? Other?

~ ~ • ~ ~

* Ilsa Rey from Writing and Martial Arts is going to find one of the words on the 1875 list, linked to above, especially pertinent. Yep, I’m a mind reader.

** When I think of the word “hero” this brief conversation from the TV show Firefly flashes through my mind:

  • Mal: “Well, look at this. It appears that we got here just in the nick of time. What does that make us?”
  • Mal: “Ain’t we just.”

190 thoughts on “Ain’t We Just: Rambling Thoughts About Superpowers And Using The Powers For Good”

  1. Reading body language is my super power. I read it all — twitches, jerky movements, mouth purses. It helped me tremendously at work. I actually had a supervisor note it on my performance review (in a good way). Maybe I should have gone into the gambling field. Not sure I was good enough for that though but maybe. Happy freaking cold Wednesday!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Kate, your superpower is a great one, a practical one actually. You put it to good use, obviously. I’m sure you could use it when gambling, see those tells, but also understand why you don’t do that. Yep, it’s way too cold here too: 0ºF is not pleasant.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Cutting through BS is my super power. I g
    Have no patience for all the crap. As far as implementing anything these days, I have enough trouble starting the day on most days. And besides there are way too many people out there who are happy to fall for the BS. Apparently presidents can get elected that way. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    • Jenn, oh I like that superpower. I have a finely calibrated BS detector, too. Maybe it’s a subset of being a Mind Reader? You’re right about how too many people don’t have this superpower. Just look at where we are now in the US. 😒

      Liked by 1 person

    • Ellen D., I like your superpower. I can do that too, but will admit that some uptight serious people do not like it when I use humor. I know this because I can read their minds. 😉

      Like

  4. I took the quiz and it says my superpower is Time Travel. “With time travel as your superpower, you understand that history holds some cool lessons. So you know how to learn from past mistakes and treat people fairly. You love exploring, and you’re always showing friends new things when you hang out.”
    I do love history, exploring, and sharing the things I find so, I agree with this.

    I’d love to travel in time, but not have all the cloak and dagger, life threatening stuff Dr. Who runs into all the time. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  6. My power is superstrength, but I can tell you, that’s way wrong.

    I’ve always said that my superpower is the ability to fold a cuff on a paper leaf bag without tearing it.

    Merriam-Webster is my friend, but looking up words is getting harder. Every time I search for an interesting word, I get a page of ads for some company that is named, in total or in part, with that word.

    Sorry to go all self-supporting. but my first book series starred two characters who couldn’t decide if their abilities were superpowers or a curse. I wonder about that with all superheroes.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dan, interesting superpower. I don’t know what all the superpowers are on the quiz, so this is informative even it is wrong. I like your self-described super power. Have you considered origami as a hobby?

      I get those weird ad pages when I use M-W on my phone, but not on my desktop. Don’t know why, don’t care why.

      You, my author friend, have nailed it about superpowers. Regardless of what it is, is it a blessing or a curse? And then once you decide, what to do about it?

      Liked by 1 person

  9. When I read the title of this post, I thought about world superpowers (politically speaking), and I thought “Wow! What a timely post.” 🙂

    Then I took the quiz. I am a shape shifter, also a 2-word superpower. Not quite sure what that means, so I will have to research it just like you researched yours.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Laurie, oh my goodness. I can see how from the title you could think I was going to talk about politics here, but that didn’t occur to me at all. I was too entertained while learning about my superpower to think of anything global.

      [And what does that say about me‽ Rhetorical question]

      You’re a shape shifter, eh? I’ve no idea what that means either. Regardless I’m sure you’re a good one.

      Like

  10. I’ve never been a fan of super heroes — or super villains, for that matter. I don’t know why, but I find the concept of super-anything a little boring. I’d say it’s overexposure to a society that keeps upping the virtues of everything from entertainers to laundry soap, but I was the same way as a kid.

    I never read Superman comics, for example. The only super hero that I loved was Chickenman. He was Benton Harbor: not the town in Michigan, but a person — a mild-mannered, crime-fighting shoe salesman from Midland City, USA. Popularized in the 1960s, Benton Harbor became known to thousands of radio listeners as Chickenman. (“He’s everywhere! He’s everywhere!”) I still listen to episodes from time to time, just as I listen to the news from Lake Wobegon. Who knows? Maybe my superpower is the ability to resist modern society and live among the joys of the past!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, despite knowing some of the names I’ll admit I’ve never read a comic book so I don’t know how I feel about superheroes. From your description I do understand why you would like Benton Harbor aka Chickenman. I haven’t thought about Lake Wobegon in years! If your superpower is resisting modernity then you’ve got it nailed. You do you, boo.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. The quiz pegged my superpower as Time Traveler. It would be a handy skill, especially now. If I could skip ahead to four years from today, I could come back and let people know if we make it through trumpelon, or if we should all get busy renewing our passports and packing. Maybe National Geographic will come up with a quiz to let us determine where we’ll find sanity and safety.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Donna, oh I love this comment. I want National Geographic to create the quiz you describe too. Think of it, a way to find sanity and safety at your fingertips… instead of the relentless stream of Trumpian nonsense.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. “It’s one thing to know what someone else is thinking but that doesn’t mean you have the capacity, or desire, to change their mind.” Truer words… after 55 years of marriage I pretty much know what the hubby is thinking. Changing his mind – that’s where it is wise to pick my battle.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margy, yes, it’s all about picking your battles, both in marriage and in real life. I know I am a highly sensitive introvert so being told I was a mind reader wasn’t a stretch. As for changing people, it’s not my gig.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. According to the test results, I match up with you. Maybe we both not only carried but used a MW dictionary around too much in our youth. 🙂 I always look up words I’m not familiar with and consider it a learning moment for which I’m grateful. I must hang my head and say I’m not real into superheroes. The last one I paid attention to was Superman which ages me considerably. I think we could use a new one maybe with super tolerance, listening skills, understanding, and kindness. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy, you’re the fourth one of us to be a mind reader. We are legion. I agree that researching a word is something I enjoy doing, learning is fun dammit.

      I don’t know much about superheroes either. I just know that there many of them now and can be found in many sources. I like your idea for a new superhero who is less action, more healing.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. I took the quiz and if you believe the quiz, my superpower is superstrength. I guess this is fairly accurate. I’m not afraid to stick up for my people. I don’t shy away from a physical challenge. Plus, I’m sensitive as all get out, but I will speak my mind or opt not to back down when a wrong needs to be righted.

    I am not one to look up a word or ponder its meaning. I probably would be a smarter, wiser person if I did that. But I feel it would slow me down.

    Hmm, when I think of a fictional hero, I think of a character in a movie. Which one? Not sure. Maybe Robin Hood or something like that?

    I don’t think I read people’s minds, BTW, but I have occasionally had a 6th sense, telepathy. My son’s b-ball program guy called me in August to ask me stuff, like what’s Reg’s b-day. Before I answered, I had a weird feeling that Jan 9th was going to be THE GUY ON THE PHONE’S B-DAY AS WELL. I said, Jan 9th, and he says, No kidding. That’s my b-day too. I’ve never had a feeling like that before – it was wild. I told him of my premonition, so now he just thinks I’m a weirdo.

    Liked by 1 person

    • ernie, you’re the second commenter to have the superpower of strength. It is interesting how you realize it applies to you in many ways and how you can own it. Yay!

      You’re right that stopping to use the dictionary does slow you down. For me I go down a rabbit hole and reemerge a half hour later. Wiser? Maybe yes, maybe no.

      Very trippy about knowing the man’s birth date before you found out it was his birthday. I get how that would be odd, both for you and for him. Yet, there you go, what is, is.

      Like

  17. Well apparently I am also a mind reader, which may or may not have some small bit of validity. I am a thesaurus person but anyone will do. Frequent user I would say. Last year it was suggested that I might enjoy The Umbrella Academy, which I did. Multiple super powers were highlighted in that show and all were used both for good and evil by the same people. Sort of a redemption message tucked inside the overarching theme.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, there are many of us mind readers here which suggests that smart bloggers are astute observers. In other word, we people watch.

      I know of The Umbrella Academy but have never seen it. I get how a superpower could lean evil, could lean good— and how you use it is your moral choice. Sounds like an interesting show. Will look for it. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Marian, I’d say [not being an authority on such things of course] that being intuitive is a kind of mind reading. A form of it like Jenn’s BS meter idea. We’re all in the same ballpark, just different emphasis.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I’m also a mind reader; I’m wondering if many or most bloggers are. We seem to be interested in people, observant of the world and in tune with ourselves and our emotions/thoughts. 37 years of teaching plus a (possibly?) natural affinity has made me adept at reading body language. I love words–in many languages!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I’m beginning to believe that many bloggers are mind readers— or at least the ones in our corner of the blogosphere are. So many ways of being a mind reader, all predicated on the idea of figuring out what is going on with the person/people in front of us. 🤔

      Like

  21. Hey there Ally! According to this quiz I am a shape-shifter. “The power to shape-shift into a door may not be an option, but you can totally shift between environments. You have a blast joking with pals, but you’re just as comfortable channeling your serious side. Because you’re so open-minded, you have no trouble finding friends.” I wouldn’t mind shifting shapes once in a while actually. I learn a lot about myself taking your fun quizzes. Thanks! Have a wonderful rest of your week.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Oh, what a rich topic! Acknowledging super powers – using them for good instead of evil? Absolutely! I do think you have a mind reading superpower – and what is remarkable is that you can do it via the written word on WP or IG as well.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Oooohhh… I have Time Travel as mine! It says:
    With time travel as your superpower, you understand that history holds some cool lessons. So you know how to learn from past mistakes and treat people fairly. You love exploring, and you’re always showing friends new things when you hang out.
    And I think it is bang on for moi.
    Apologies if the description has already been shared.
    How I would use it? Only for positive but I’ll have to think of how that would work.

    I am also a wordy person and can easily get lost in the definitions, so to speak. I love how new words can mean 2-3-4 put together, with or without hyphens!

    “Firefly” was a favourite show and I love that conversation bit.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dale, many commenters have said that their superpower was a perfect match. It’s fun when that happens, like in your case. Travel on, my dear.

      I’m fascinated by definitions, too. I don’t retain 90% of what I read, but I enjoy getting lost in etymology. It’s a pleasant distraction.

      We say that Firefly conversation to each other once in a while when the situation warrants: one will say “what does that make us?” and the other will shout “big damn heroes!” ‘Cuz we are.

      Liked by 1 person

      • It is fun when that happens. The first response was Super Speed and I thought, nope… So not me!

        Same with me! You get all excited, learning a new word and the next day are like. um… what was it?

        Haha! I love that you have that response to those situations. Fun stuff between couples.

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Your power is flight, even if gravity keeps you grounded. You’re a free spirit who loves discovering new things, and you’re always dreaming up your next adventure. You don’t worry about what direction you’re headed in–you’re just happy to be on the journey.

    Oddly enough, I have always said that if I could have a super power it would be flying. But perhaps the bird and the swing ride give it away.

    With great power comes great responsibility Ms. Bean. You had better use your powers for good. Don’t want to hear about you turning to the dark side.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Zazzy, what a wonderful superpower! It’s cool that it is in agreement with what you’ve already decided about yourself. Sometimes these online quizzes are uncanny.

      I don’t plan on turning to the dark side, but thanks for the reminder. Of course, if speaking the truth becomes the dark side then I might be in trouble. We’re living in an upside down world now.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. p.s. I enjoy entymology but don’t often spend much time on it. I was surprised with your 1875 list at the number of medical and scientific words that I think of as “modern.” I wouldn’t have expected them if I was asked to curate a list of 1875 words. Thanks for the link!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Ally, according to the quiz my superpower is flight – ‘You’re a free spirit who loves discovering new things, and you’re always dreaming up your next adventure. You don’t worry about what direction you’re headed in–you’re just happy to be on the journey. Sounds about right these days.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, that’s wonderful. It does sound like you and also sounds wonderful. Truthfully considering my tagline for this blog mentions that I’m a Free Spirit I’m a little crushed that I didn’t get that superpower. 🫤

      Liked by 1 person

  32. My super power was also mind reader, but I have no clue how that was determined by those questions. I do like dictionaries and etymology. Nobody could ever beat me at The Dictionary Game, back in the day.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bijoux, I know what you mean about wondering how the answers to the questions determine which superpower you have BUT a quiz like this one is something easy to do on a frigidly cold day. Goofing around with a dictionary or a thesaurus is a lovely distraction, keeps the mind occupied in a positive way.

      Like

  34. Haha! Wow, no pressure! 😛 I’m scanning through, thinking, gosh that’s interesting. (Fight back tears) Really? (Hampshire) Wow. (Gang rape–yikes!!!!!) Then I found it! Haha. Yay!

    And I feel like I would get the same super power as you. Must find out!

    Liked by 1 person

  35. I got flight. How lame. Disappointed, I didn’t even stick around to learn why. Okay, I have admitted that flight would be an awesome super power, and I am envious of birds. Weirdly, though, I chose cheetah, not falcon. I was also very torn between art or history. (Should have gone with art after all.) And that breakfast question was unfair. I want ALL of them. Well, maybe not the grapefruit.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. I took the quiz – trying to answer as I remember my childhood self – and my result is flight. Very appropriate considering that I’ve been a pilot for 35 years. 😊 “The journey is the thing” really describes me. I don’t know that that’s a superpower, though. It’s an interest that I followed. Looking back on your child self like that was interesting and something I hadn’t done for a long time. Cheers.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lynette, you did find your superpower early, didn’t you? And without the help of a National Geographic quiz! I don’t know who I’d be if my childhood self took the quiz. I had what I think of as three different childhoods, so I suppose it’d depend on which one I used. [And I’m not as nuts as that last sentence may have sounded.]

      Liked by 1 person

  38. If I could have a superpower, it would be this: to be able to eat anything, and as much of it as I want, and still maintain peak physical health. I could eat nothing but ice cream and beer for a year and still make my doctor’s eyes bug out (in a good way) at my annual physical.

    I would, of course, use this power for evil.

    Like

    • Lance, this is a brilliant superpower. I can see how it would be delightful to eat ice cream + drink beer every day, and then still be healthy. Oh, you are a dreamer, aren’t you? I don’t want to know what kind of evil you’d get into, though. Some things need to remain a mystery. Thanks for stopping by to comment.

      Like

  39. I used to say that my superpower was parallel parking, but now I find out that it’s time travel (maybe I have two superpowers?). I’m with Donna, I think I’d first use my power to travel four years in the future. If we are okay, I can come back and reassure everyone. If it’s messed up… I don’t know. The thing about time travel, is the unknowns of the butterfly effect and how our actions might impact the past or the future. Now my head hurts.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. I took the quiz and found out my superpower is flight.

    Your power is flight, even if gravity keeps you grounded. You’re a free spirit who loves discovering new things, and you’re always dreaming up your next adventure. You don’t worry about what direction you’re headed in–you’re just happy to be on the journey.

    I guess that could be true, and funnily enough, I dream about flying quite often.
    I love looking up words in the dictionary, and I still have my dictionary from grade school, tattered and dog-eared, with doodles all over it!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Michelle G., I can see how your superpower is flight. That seems spot on for you and your artistic abilities. You dream about flying? That confirms it.

      I can only imagine how delightful it is to see your doodles on your dictionary. I’m smiling thinking about it.

      Like

  42. I also got the flight superpower – since it’s defined above I won’t repeat. I do not find that relevant to the real me. The problem with quizzes is that I either don’t relate to any of the answers or want to choose two. Never works out! My superpower must be griping!!! I might need some help figuring out how to use it for good rather than evil.😉

    Liked by 2 people

    • Eilene, I know what you mean about making choices on these online quizzes. Often the options don’t cut it, yet you have to choose. I like the idea of a superpower that is griping. I think productive complaining has its place and when done well could change the world for the better. 🫡

      Liked by 1 person

  43. My superpower is being able to see the good in just about any person. Certainly, we can look at someone and think, that’s not a nice person. Yet, it’s much more likely that they have positive and negative traits. Instead of looking at some narrowly and trying to put them into a narrow box, it’s better to consider a broader perspective.

    Having a superpower is great, but what consequence is it if we don’t use our gifts to create more good? I admire those who implement their superpowers to do something positive much more than someone who was born with a specific ability. Some celebrities buy another yacht; others give back to the world.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pete, yep, being open-minded about people can work to your, and their, advantage. I don’t know anyone who is purely good or evil, but somewhere inbetween. Stereotyping is way too easy, often inaccurate.

      I know that for me the idea of having a superpower makes me wonder how I’d use it for good, but I’m not naive and know that some people would use their powers for something not good. Or only good for themselves, I suppose.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Well I got “mind reading” as a super power too. Hmm. Since there is no one else here at this house that I could read their mind, I will just use my super power as a mindreading gig when I am out and about incognito-like.

    Speaking of being out and about, I looked at the 1875 list of popular words and was surprised to see many are used in our vocabulary today, including “wanderlust” a fancy way of saying traveling. I used to get M-W’s Word of the Day for years and printed it out for my boss who was/is a wordsmith, or, if you want get really technical, his passion for learning/using unusual words is called “logophilia”.

    Gee, I can’t think of any character, except maybe Samantha from the TV series “Bewitched”. I’ve not had TV since cancelling my cable in 2010 and don’t recall any literary figures.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Linda, yes! Be an incognito mind readers when you’re out and about. I like that idea, makes me smile.

      Logophilia. Got it. I suppose I should have figured that there’d be a word for people who actively look to learn about words. I enjoy words, but not in an obssessive way that logophilia suggests to me.

      Samantha from Bewitched was a good fictional superhero, if we consider witches to be fictional. But as for having superpowers I like hers, count me in.

      Liked by 1 person

  45. I do love knowing more about interesting words: their history and what they’re related to. Yesterday Rachel Maddow used the word, “shambolic.” It made more sense after I looked it up and realized it comes from shambles.

    The first hero with superpowers that comes to mind is Superman. I read recently that we’ve gone from the era of superheroes to that of anti-heroes in movies and games, etc. Not a good sign.

    My superpower is time travel. Hmm. What do I do with that?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicki, I didn’t know what “shambolic” meant so thanks for that information. We certainly are living in shambolic times, filled with anti-heroes so… yay‽ 🤨

      Maybe you can time travel to the future where I hope things are calm, not in shambles, AND heroes are for good, not for chaos.

      Like

    • Yay Venus! There seem to be a lot of us here. I mean after all, we’re all curious about what makes other people tick and what better way to figure it out than by reading someone’s mind!

      Like

  47. Well Ally, I’m informed by the quiz that my superpower is flight. As a realist, I’m well aware that I cannot and will never fly. So the cynic in me rejects the validity and utility of the quiz and concludes the whole exercise is darn stupid. Not trying to rain on anyone else’s parade, it’s just my personality that always strives to be grounded in reality, not fantasy. Thus my dislike of modern movie icons like the dumb Lord of the Rings films, anything involving vampires or caped superheroes, etc. For me there are enough realistic fictional stories out there to satisfy my realism requirement, and I’m happy enough with that, lol!

    Like

    • Welp, there you go! Imagine that, an online personality quiz that isn’t 100% accurate. Reality can be a difficult thing. The quiz may be a darned stupid exercise, but it is does get people talking and that’s a good thing. For a personal blogger. Who starts conversations online.

      I don’t know a lot about fantasy books or movies, either. I’ve never seen the Lord of the Rings movies either, although I’ve seen some of the Star Wars ones. I like a good fictional character that is human, like Mal on Firefly, or someone like a re-envisioned version of Sherlock Holmes. People whose minds I can read.

      Liked by 1 person

      • As mentioned, I didn’t intent to rain on anyone’s parade with my comment. It never occurred to me how difficult it must be to keep multitudes of readers engaged. I guess that’s why I don’t blog 😉. I do enjoy reading yours, though.

        Liked by 1 person

        • No worries. I’m sure that the parade will go on here and that you didn’t cause a stir. I write about what interests me in the moment, whether it be significant or trivial, but always with an eye to engaging commenters. That’s where the fun is! Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.

          Like

  49. I have no idea what my superpower would be but I do think I’m pretty good at figuring out how other people are feeling, so maybe I would also be a mind reader! Maybe I should just take the quiz.

    Like

    • Nicole, I can see you as a mind reader, too. Many bloggers are which makes sense I suppose. We talk about people in our lives, astutely observing them first by reading their minds.

      Like

  50. I’m not surprised that your superpower is mindreading. You have the gift of connecting with people.
    My superpower was Super Strength. Part of the description read: “Thanks to your independent attitude, accomplishing solo tasks gives you great pride.” That’s true, but it’s also my downfall a lot of the time. I don’t ask for help when I really should. So that’s the curse side of my superpower, I guess.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Arlene, thanks for the compliment. I try to connect, but I don’t try to change people. That’s why I found the second part of the description a little off: I’m not concerned if people are happy, I’m too cynical for that.

      I can see how Super Strength is your superpower. You seem independent, in a good way, to me. But I can also see how that superpower could keep you from asking for help. Every positive comes with a built-in negative I suppose.

      Liked by 1 person

  51. I took the quiz–which seems like it might be for kids–and it gave me Time Travel. Hm.

    Anyway.

    Realistically, my superpower is Compassion. I feel like since I’ve been working on Patience for SO LONG, that I’ve come to a place where I can find kindness in my heart for just about everyone in every situation.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nance, yes the quiz was meant for kids, but who are we but adults with an inner child that needs a boost once and again? Time Travel, you say. Wonder where that’ll take you.

      Compassion is a lovely superpower that is based, as you mentioned, on patience something I’d think was a necessary component of your days as a teacher. Kindness is good, in perspective, as long as you’re not taken advantage of.

      Liked by 1 person

  52. As someone else mentioned, you are good at connecting with people.

    I took the quiz and received this: Your power is flight, even if gravity keeps you grounded. You’re a free spirit who loves discovering new things, and you’re always dreaming up your next adventure. You don’t worry about what direction you’re headed in–you’re just happy to be on the journey.

    I think of characters like Superman and Storm from the X-Men. Both have the power of flight.

    Merriam-Webster and I are old friends, especially since I edit books and articles and also do NYT Connections puzzle!

    Liked by 1 person

    • L. Marie, I realize that connecting people is a skill and for some reason I am good at it. However, referring to the quiz results, I didn’t know I could get Flight which mentions free sprit which is how I think of myself. I admit I am good at reading people, but I want to take flight too. Can I have two superpowers?

      I do the NYT Connection puzzle and the Spanagram every day. They’re a good way to get my wordy self wording.

      Like

  54. Whoa … I got mind reading, too. I even took the quiz a second time with different answers just to be sure it wasn’t rigged for mind reading 😉 That said, I’m not sure it’s a super power for me because it sometimes drives me nuts thinking that I know what other people are thinking but (usually) not being able to say anything (out of politeness). I do like words. When I was in my early college days, I had an etymological dictionary that I consulted so much it fell apart (it was a paperback). Right now, when I think of heroes with superpowers, I think of the series Astrid (PBS). Astrid is on the autism spectrum. She works in the archives of a police department (In France) and her superpower is being able to make connections across time. In effect, she helps to solve cases 🙂 By the way, we loved Firefly! We were really bummed when it was canceled.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marie, I get what you’re saying about knowing what someone is thinking yet remaining quiet to keep the peace. It’s a difficult line to straddle. I’ve never had an etymological dictionary, M-W’s time travel feature is as close as I’ve come/

      I’ve never heard of Astrid and will look for the show. Sounds like our type of show. Yes, we were sorry when Firefly was cancelled. Kind of turned me against Fox in general, long before they became Faux News.

      Liked by 1 person

  56. I am also a mind reader who is close friends with Merriam-Webster, Ally. I guess if we were to sit down together over a cup of coffee or glass of wine, we could have a whole conversation with fancy words without ever opening our mouths…except, of course, to enjoy our libation. As for the superhero question, the first one that came to mind was Spiderman, but I think my favorite is Wonder Woman. These kinds of important discussions are one reason I am so happy to have you back in the blogosphere.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Christie, I’m laughing about how our get-together would unfold as two Mind Readers. I think you’re right we’d just sit, sip, and know what we were talking about without saying a word. Wonder Woman! I’d forgotten about her which is sad on my part. Yes, these are important conversations, a way of staying sane in trying times.

      Like

  58. Your quiz links are always fascinating. Nice to meet you, mind reader, I am a free spirit: ”Your power is flight, even if gravity keeps you grounded. You’re a free spirit who loves discovering new things, and you’re always dreaming up your next adventure. You don’t worry about what direction you’re headed in–you’re just happy to be on the journey.”
    This actually describes me very well, or at least the old me. After having kids, I couldn’t chase dreams anymore, coz I have bills to pay! Soooo many bills!

    Liked by 1 person

    • The Snow Melts Somewhere, when I took the quiz I didn’t know all the possible outcomes and Mind Reader seemed spot on. But now that I’ve found out about Flight I feel it might be applicable, too. In the tagline for this blog I refer to myself as a free spirit, because that’s how I think of myself. So maybe I’m both!

      I can only imagine how many bills you have with your two boys, who are worth every cent, but no doubt in need of many things. As kids are.

      Liked by 1 person

  59. I did the quiz twice, the first time selecting History and ended up with time travel as my super power. When I changed my response to Foreign Languages, I got mind reader. To be honest, I’m happy with either option 🙂 When younger, the superpower I most wanted was flight, not sure when that stopped appealing, maybe around age 60 when I started to consider practicalities like what to wear and how well I’d manage the landing without hurting myself!

    A dictionary is constantly being referred to, and I am an etymology nut.

    Liked by 1 person

  60. My superpower is spelling. And on that note, I do sometimes make mistakes. I once wrote “hairbrained” in my Christmas letter instead of the correct (just double-checked M-W) “harebrained.” Perhaps, because I’ve had companion house rabbits for 2.5 decades, I subconsciously took umbrage with the slight against hares?
    I noticed you wrote “anyhoo.” That’s what I’ve always written, too, but I recently saw it written as “anywho,” so that has me wondering which is correct (regardless, ours looks better – it’s a nonsense word and ours looks more nonsense-y). I wonder if it’s even in M-W at all. Please hold…

    We are correct! It’s anyhoo!!! Victory for team ABTA (Ally Bean Travel Architect)!!

    Liked by 1 person

  61. I love how you find these interesting quizzes, Ally. (And I just spent some time looking up the plural of quiz and why two ‘z’s are used…)
    I was very surprised to learn that my superpower is time travel!
    “With time travel as your superpower, you understand that history holds some cool lessons. So you know how to learn from past mistakes and treat people fairly. You love exploring, and you’re always showing friends new things when you hang out.”
    Guess that helps explain my passion for family history research and the Outlander tv series.

    Like

    • Barbara, I stumble over quizzes, I don’t find them by design. Even though I realize they can be silly, they also are good for starting conversations. And getting people to reveal a bit about themselves.

      Time Travel makes sense for you. Especially when it comes to your family history research. I’ve never seen Outlander or read the books, but I know it is/they are popular.

      Liked by 1 person

  62. The quiz for me was very accurate. I am a shape-shifter. Which, used for evil, can be very shady. But, used for good, makes me easily adaptable, tolerant, playful, and open to new ideas. I often feel like I am the complete opposite of me, because sometimes I am like *this*, but other times, I am like *that.* Some might call it wishy-washy, but I like to think that it’s a balanced approach (yes, I’m a Libra), that can be used to bring people together.

    Also, I have really enjoyed the whole Marvel universe movie superheros, mostly because my daughters are into all of that, and they give me all the inside information that one needs to understand everything that ties the movies together. (You really need to watch movies in the proper order, or you miss a lot.) The superhero Avengers, et al, work TOGETHER, bringing each talent forward when it is needed most. Great message of cooperation.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Gwen, I like your way of describing what being a Shape Shifter means to you. It makes sense, I don’t think you sound wishy-washy at all. And it is wonderful that you find your superpower spot on.

      I don’t know much about the Marvel universe of characters and movies. I know people who enjoy them and am sure you’re right that watching them in order would help you keep the storylines straight. Z-D watches the Avengers movies, too. The idea of seeing superheroes work together, cooperate, is encouraging. That pleases me.

      Like

  63. I am also a mind reader according the quiz. Interesting.

    My husband and I just quoted Mal the other night! “May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.” That’s how it feels right now.

    Liked by 1 person

  64. I took the test, Ally. It says my superpower is time travel, “you know how to learn from past mistakes and treat people fairly. You love exploring, and you’re always showing friends new things when you hang out.”

    I think my superpower is to bring out the best in people and help them succeed.

    Liked by 1 person

  67. I got flight, which is pretty cool, I think it would be great to be able to fly. Often I can fly in my dreams, but usually not very well, and it’s like one of those dreams where you are trying to run but you’re going in slow motion. I want to be able to fly like the characters in Heroes.

    Liked by 1 person

    • J, I’ve never flown in my dreams but I’d like it if it was, like you mention, smoothly, effortlessly, quickly. This comment has reminded me of the old TV show, The Greatest American Hero. Am singing the theme song as I type this.

      Like

  68. Speaking of words: In the last few days, I’ve encountered the word “portmanteau” three times in crossword puzzle clues. Even though I’ve looked up the word several times, I never can remember what it means. Maybe I’ll look it up again after I post this comment!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Neil, it can be odd how suddenly a word will come into your life seemingly out of nowhere. And then the struggle is to remember its meaning… as well as trying to figure out if it has special meaning for you.

      Liked by 1 person

  69. Well, I am a sucker for an online quiz that will tell me what I am. (Remember Facebook quizzes, back when social media wasn’t so gross?) Apparently, I am a mind-reader, too. I would so much rather be a time traveler or a shape shifter or able to fly! Oh well….

    Thanks for the fun diversion. My actual super-power is writing things that make people feel stuff. 🙂 If I could choose any superpower (one of my son’s favorite questions when he was in middle school, so I’ve given it much thought), it would be to not have to eat. I still could eat–and I could eat anything I want without having to consider nutrition or caloric intake–but I wouldn’t have to. And neither would my children. Oh, what that would have done for my life when I was raising kids!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Rita, I understand your reluctance about your superpower. When I shared my result as a Mind Reader I didn’t know the other possibilities, but after learning them I decided I was more Flight, a free spirit, than Mind Reader, someone who wants everyone to be happy. So, like all personality quizzes, I take my results with a grain of salt.

      Your writing superpower seems spot on to me. To thine own self be true, and all that. As for having a superpower of not needing to eat, that’s inventive and potentially useful. As long as you get to eat what you want some of the time, I could go along with that. You have given this question some serious thought! Well done.

      Like

  71. Thanks for a new fun quiz! My super power is Time Travel – huh?
    But…. With time travel as your superpower, you understand that history holds some cool lessons. So you know how to learn from past mistakes and treat people fairly. You love exploring, and you’re always showing friends new things when you hang out.

    So a bit of that is true.

    Randomness…the Oxford American Dictionary pops up for me when my computer thinks I don’t know a word, not Merriam-Webster. [I usually know the word – it’s annoying and no idea how to stop it.]

    Merriam Webster does not recognize Time Traveller as a word, (unlike mind reader). Cambridge English Dictionary and Oxford English Dictionary both do recognize it (noun) but only OED says when it began (1890’s). Hmm, history holding cools lessons? Maybe more true than not!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pat, another Time Traveler! Quite a few people who’ve taken the quiz got that answer. I like how it is explained.

      I’ve no idea why Oxford American Dictionary pops up for you, but can see how that’s annoying and unnecessary. Good luck with that.

      Fascinating dictionary research about your superpower, Time Traveler. It originated in the 1890s? I’d suspect there’s a reason, but wouldn’t have a clue as to what it is. Maybe from some sci-fi novel popular in that era?

      Liked by 1 person

  72. I am glad to be catching up on your blog. 🙂 I took the quiz and its time travel, which made me laugh! I talked about time travel in Friday’s post. If I could go back in time I would like to live in a castle and have a pet dragon to fly on . 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • joyroses13, isn’t that cool how your Friday post was about your superpower— before you even knew your superpower! I like dragons, they get a bad rap, but if I could safely ride on one I would. I hope you’ll be happy in your castle with your pet. 🐲

      Like

Comments are closed.