SUPERHERO EDITION

We're back! Power has been restored and I'm once again able to access the Internets.

Today was one of those brutally beautiful days. Temps hovered around 15 degrees but it was sunny and ice coated everything. Sure, there were downed tree limbs and broken bushes, but everything sparkled with unearthly luminescence. It was like walking through an alien arctic landscape.

Anyway, ever the geek at heart, today's links are dedicated to those brave souls who keep us safe from evil twins, brain-sucking aliens, scientific freaks and dastardly psychotics... superheroes!

There was a great This American Life a few years back that posed the question: If you could have either the power of invisibility or the power of flight which would you choose? Almost everyone picked invisibility, pointing out all the less-than upright things they could do. What does that say about our society? I tried the same question with my 4-year-old son, Nate, and a few of his buddies. Flight seemed to be the winner and all of them imagined themselves using their powers for good. I guess kids are just a whole lot more heroic. The wonderful John Hodgman, author of the TAL segment, concluded that the choice of flight represents who we wish we were and the choice of invisibility reflects who we really are. Hmmm.

1. Dolphins sing 'Batman' theme.
2. Which superhero are you? I'm the Green Lantern.
3. Lost in Gotham City? Consult this handy-dandy walking map.
4. Spidey, say it ain't so... Marvel & DC claim they OWN the word "superhero." It's corporate BS like this that makes me think Communism doesn't sound so bad.
5. Immigrants as superheros.