History Quotes / MundaneUtility

-->-- '''Linda Lee''', ''ComicBook/ActionComicsNumber252''

-->-- '''Jonathan Kent''', ''Adventure Comics #289''

->"Hey!" Josuke suddenly called out, grinning widely, "We should take a group picture!"

->"That's a wonderful idea, Josuke!" Jonathan gushed. "But who will take the photograph?"

->"Crazy Diamond!" At once, Josuke's [[FightingSpirit Stand]] manifested before the group, and Josuke handed it the camera.

->"Stands are able to take photographs?" Jonathan asked confusedly.

->"They can pretty much do anything you can do." Jolyne replied, tucking her braid behind her neck.

-->-- '''[[Franchise/{{Superman}} Jonathan Kent]]''', ''Adventure Comics #289''

-->-- ''Webcomic/{{Erfworld}}'''

->Prowess, might, vigor, intensity, puissance - no matter what name you describe it with, Potence is an impressive Discipline. Too many neonates think of it as a simple, brutal combat ability, but it is actually much more: it's actually a sophisticated, complex and unpredictable combat ability - coupled with its uses in Nosferatu art and architecture.
-> Expanding a city's sewer system takes more than political influence and faithful ghouls. When making improvements to the labyrinthine underworld beneath cities, Nosferatu often use Potence to assist the ghouls with the most difficult tasks. Tunneling through solid rock, moving chunks of rock and concrete, or just collapsing a tunnel with a powerful blow are also useful skills in Nosferatu construction.

-> You have a time machine and you use it for ... watching television?

-->''"I handed out, like, four hundred fliers, set up the stage, and still had time to pick up pizza! I love my super-speed!"''

->'''Maiza:''' I've never heard of a demon using [[TheOmnipotent its powers]] so frivolously.\\

->'''Persephone:''' ...did you just use [[ShockAndAwe lightning]] to make toast?\\

-> ''Once everyone cleared their plate, Chara instantly washed and dried them with a flex of her ability. Sure it was a little demeaning to use her [[SwissArmySuperpower vast, fundamental powers]] [[PersonOfMassDestruction that could erase universes]] to do the dishes, but she figured if she had them, she may as well use them.''

-> Early on in the War in Heaven Mag'ladroth, despite being one of the most physically powerful of the C'tan, was sidelined into building devices for the Necrontyr and the other C'tan. [[MadScientist He had more of a taste for it]], though the other C'tan all made fun of him behind his back.\\

"Wizards. We'd put on shows for hundreds of thousands of people. [[PlayingWithFire Fire-Spitters]] shooting flames toward the moon. [[VoluntaryShapeshifting Changers]] dancing in the flickering light. They say [[MasterOfIllusion Smiling Toms]] were given leave to create anything they could imagine."\\
I snort. It seems like such a childish thought. These days, Smiling Toms are forbidden from using their strength [[MilitaryMage for anything but the war]]: stratagems, camouflage, misdirection.

->To hide from the eyes and minds of our enemies, that is the sole purpose of [[VoluntaryShapeshifting our art]]. It is not to keep our toes warm! Whatever next? Shall we grow rabbits' tails to serve as cushions? Instead of hats we could all develop snail shells on our heads or keep long weasel bodies if we consider [[LittlePeople our natural stature too diminutive]]. If we debase our gift, then we debase ourselves and [[SeriousBusiness only tragedy will follow]].

->'''Jake:''' Some reason why you're [[VoluntaryShapeshifting morphing]] to lobster?\\

'''Jake:''' [[SarcasmMode Well, then it's a good thing you have the ability to turn into a lobster, because otherwise, what would you do]]? I mean, normal people, they drop their keys in the pool, they're just totally helpless. Those keys stay down there. Forever.\\

'''Jake:''' [[DeadpanSnarker What are you going to do, morph to cow and squeeze me out a glass of two percent?]]

->'''Quentin:''' [''on the other side of a MagicMirror''] Maybe it's in [[LongingForFictionland Fillory]].\\
'''Alice:''' [[PortalDoor You could climb through]]. That's how it always works in the books.\\
'''Quentin:''' How great would that be? We could go through and [[YearInsideHourOutside study for a month]] and come back and [[WizardingSchool ace this thing]].\\

->''"[[MagicalSociety Our society]], our economy, our ''world'' depends on magic. Half the goods traded in the city are [[ThePowerOfCreation conjured]]. People rely on enchantments to wake them up, to take them to work, to cook their food. I doubt one in twenty of us could even light a fire without magic."''

->Prowess, might, vigor, intensity, puissance - no matter what name you describe it with, [[SuperStrength Potence]] is an impressive Discipline. Too many neonates think of it as a simple, brutal combat ability, but it is actually much more: it's actually a sophisticated, complex and unpredictable combat ability - coupled with its uses in Nosferatu [[WickedCultured art and architecture.]]
-> [[TunnelKing Expanding a city's sewer system]] takes more than political influence and faithful ghouls. When making improvements to the labyrinthine underworld beneath cities, Nosferatu often use Potence to assist the ghouls with the most difficult tasks. [[FastTunnelling Tunneling through solid rock]], moving chunks of rock and concrete, or just collapsing a tunnel with a powerful blow are also useful skills in Nosferatu construction.

->...he has grown accustomed to [[DisabilitySuperpower compensating for the lack of his arm]] by using his magics to perform common tasks - an act that distresses many visitors to his laboratories, most of whom are unused to [[MindOverMatter flasks leaping from tables to pour themselves]].

->'''Zeno:''' Your [[ShockAndAwe Flashfield]] should shed a bit of light, ya? You're so useful. Gunvolt: Keep one in every household.

'''Ignis Scientia:''' [[FlyingWeapon The]] [[SpontaneousWeaponCreation power]] [[WalkingArsenal of]] [[SuperMode kings]]... reduced to a torch.

->'''Pearl:''' I always make sure to equip my [[SprintShoes Run Speed Up gear]] when I go shopping here.

->'''Pearl:''' {{Time travel}}. Without a doubt. When I had an awesome day, I could rewind to morning and do it all again. And I've never really liked Tuesdays, so I could just straight up skip Tuesdays. I'd win every turf war by knowing what was gonna happen before it did. [...] And I guess I could go back and stop bad stuff from happening or whatever.

-> ''I really hope the [[ItMakesSenseInContext phoenix living inside this spear]] doesn't mind me using it this way...and done!''

->'''Wanda:''' You're using the [[AncientArtifact Arkenhammer]] to crack walnuts?\\
'''Stanley:''' [[BluntYes Yeah]].\\
'''Wanda:''' But it's divine. A tool of the [[PhysicalGod Titans]].\\

->'''Quentin:''' [''on the other side of a MagicMirror''] Maybe it's in [[LongingForFictionland Fillory]].
->'''Alice:''' [[PortalDoor You could climb through]]. That's how it always works in the books.
->'''Quentin:''' How great would that be? We could go through and [[YearInsideHourOutside study for a month]] and come back and [[WizardingSchool ace this thing]].
->'''Alice:''' Please don't tell me you're going to go to Fillory so you can get more homework done. Because that would be the saddest thing I've ever heard.
-->--''Literature/TheMagicians''

->''You always use [your laser eyes] for something lame, like cutting through an iceberg or heating up an old woman's porridge. "Is that soup too cold madam? Zzzt!" I'd use that stuff to take off Bane's arm.''
-->-- '''Batman''', ''WebSite/CollegeHumor'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prRySgsgtnM Batman and Superman Team Up]]"

->'''Leela:''' Wow. Superpowers! I'll be able to pack my day with twice as many humdrum activities!
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', "Less Than Hero"

-->-- author comments on [[http://tasvideos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17884 this]] ''VideoGame/NetHack'' [[SpeedRun TAS]]

->''"The show opens with Doc Brown’s legs under the [=DeLorean=] as he babbles on about about oil and french fries and transmissions and how he wishes he’d never invented the time machine. But hey, is sure did come in handy that time it was hot outside!\\\

->''"The show opens with Doc Brown’s Legs under the [=DeLorean=] as he babbles on about about oil and french fries and transmissions and how he wishes he’d never invented the time machine. But hey, is sure did come in handy that time it was hot outside!\\\

-->-- ''{{Website/Wrestlecrap}}'' on ''WesternAnimation/BackToTheFutureTheAnimatedSeries''

-> Early on in the War in Heaven Mag’ladroth, despite being one of the most physically powerful of the C’tan, was sidelined into building devices for the Necrontyr and the other C'tan. [[MadScientist He had more of a taste for it]], though the other C'tan all made fun of him behind his back.\\

->'''Aperture Science Engineer:''' ''man-sized ad hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain''
-->-- ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}''

-->''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'', when fighting enemies in a dark area[[labelnote:*]]Warning to the player: Armiger does '''not''' provide sufficient light to heed this trope[[/labelnote]]

->"I find it a little insulting that the two of you decided to create an entire army of look-alike robots to replace G.U.N. while we were being used as babysitters!"
-->--'''Metal Sonic''', ''Webcomic/TwoEvilScientists''

->'''Leonard:''' Why are you smashing a flash-frozen banana?\\
'''Leslie:''' Because I have a bowl of Cheerios and I couldn't find a knife.
-->--''Series/TheBigBangTheory''

->'''Kiva:''' ''Oh, let me put all the processing power of this technological marvel to work'' adding up your change!\\
'''Jamie:''' ''That's the spirit!''
-->--''WesternAnimation/MegasXLR'', "All I Wanted Was A Slushie"

->'''Aperture Science Engineer:''' ''man-sized ad hoc quantum tunnel through physical space with possible applications as a shower curtain''
-->--''VideoGame/{{Portal}}''

->''I don't know what's funnier. That goofy look on Superboy's face, or the fact that the best use Martha Kent can think of to do with her super powers is house keeping...''
-->--[[http://superdickery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=444:inappropriate-uses-of-superpowers&catid=33:weird-science-index&Itemid=37 Superdickery]]

-> You have a time machine and you use it for ... watching television?
-->--''Literature/DirkGentlysHolisticDetectiveAgency''

->'''Bobbi Anderson:''' ''It's like inventing a perpetual motion machine so your little kid won't pester you any more about changing the batteries in his toy car!''
-->--'''Stephen King''', ''The Tommyknockers''

->'''John''': If he masters wormhole technology, what will he use it for?\\
'''Harvey''': Faster delivery of pizzas.
-->--''{{Series/Farscape}}'', "Could'a, Would'a, Should'a"

->'''Vivian''': Huh. How'd you do that?\\
'''[[VideoGame/MegaMan1 Ice Man]]''': Do what?\\
'''Vivian''': Make that ice floe.\\
'''Ice Man''': Oh! I can generate intense cold for like ice beams and stuff.\\
'''Vivian''': Oooooooh...\\
'''Ice Man''': Yep!\\
(Ice Man freezes a corner of the pool)\\
'''Vivian''': Must come in very handy around the house!\\
'''Ice Man''': Our AC bill is really low during the summer.
-->--''Roleplay/WeAreOurAvatars''

->'''Leela:''' Wow. Superpowers! I'll be able to pack my day with twice as many humdrum activities!
-->--''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', "Less Than Hero"

->''"The fact that I was a necromancer made it pretty funny, though; I pictured the farmer's wife standing at the kitchen window, watching me chase moles out of the vegetable garden by summoning shadow-demons from the stygian pit to curse their very souls and then turning to her husband and going: "He does know we've got a spade he can use, right?""''
-->--'''''WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation''''' on LevelGrinding

->''"Finbar lamented the fact that his psychic powers could not ascertain who would win the All-Ireland Championship. What good were psychic powers, he asked, if they couldn't tell you who was going to win the Gaelic football?"''
-->-- ''Literature/SkulduggeryPleasant''

->''"The show opens with Doc Brown’s Legs under the [=DeLorean=] as he babbles on about about oil and french fries and transmissions and how he wishes he’d never invented the time machine. But hey, is sure did come in handy that time it was hot outside!\\\
Ummmm, what?"''
-->--'''''{{Website/Wrestlecrap}}''''' on ''WesternAnimation/BackToTheFutureTheAnimatedSeries''

->''"Now, if you ask me, a real human brain mapped into a computer would be more like Series/MaxHeadroom, using his newfound power to play music videos, yammer on about golf, and probably [[TheInternetIsForPorn watch every porn flick on the Internet]] at once. Oh wait, I'm thinking of myself."''
-->--'''''Topless Robot''''' [[http://www.toplessrobot.com/2014/04/fanboy_flick_pick_transcendence_is_a_sci-fi_of_ide.php on]] ''{{Film/Transcendence}}''

->'''Maiza:''' I've never heard of a demon using [[TheOmnipotent its powers]] so frivolously.
->'''[[spoiler:Ronnie]]:''' I enjoy breaking the mold.
-->-- ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}! 1933 - The Slash''

-> New York City alternated between delighting her with its massive buildings, multi-colored, flashing billboards, the beauty of seeing so many different skin colors and languages blending together, and then disgusting her with how completely filthy the city could be.
-> A huge sheet of dirty water splashed toward her, but she directed it away with the flick of a wrist. Being a nymph had some perks. Her [[MakingASplash affinity with water]] had matured from the time she’d been bound to a single fresh water spring in an ancient Grecian forest.
-->-- ''Rock Hard and Wet'', a supernatural romance novel

->"Ordinarily, I'd light my cigar with a match! But do I need a match now? Certainly not! Not if I have super-powers!"

->'''Shinbo:''' If she kept going with that kind of diet, don't you think Kyoko would get fat?\\
'''Urobuchi:''' Probably won't. Thanks [to her] magical power.
-->-- An [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica_Official_Guidebook_%22You_Are_Not_Alone%22 interview]] with the creators of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica''

->''It is a truth universally acknowledged that nothing is more successful at inspiring a person to mischief as being told not to do something. Unfortunately, the Chantry of the Divine Age had some trouble with obvious truths. Although it did not outlaw magic--quite the contrary, as the Chantry relied upon magic to kindle the eternal flame which burns in every brazier in every chantry--it relegated mages to lighting candles and lamps. Perhaps occasional dusting of rafters and eaves.''

->''I will give my readers a moment to contemplate how well such a role satisfied the mages of the time.''
-->--"History of the Circle," ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''

->'''Ed:''' You put ''something'' inside the cylinder of wormholes, turn them on for a fraction of a second, turn them off again... what have you got?\\
'''Sam:''' ...The world's most ludicrously advanced bread-slicer?
-->-- '''[[http://everything2.com/title/Ed%2520stories Ed stories]]'''

->'''Argent''': You'd think that if you spent that much effort to get it you'd do something more destructive with it.\\
'''Khrima''': When you get an orbital laser you can do whatever you want with it.
-->-- ''Webcomic/{{Adventurers}}'' [[http://adventurers.keenspot.com/d/20030430.html #807]]

->We could have used ordinary lenses for this, but we had [[InfinityPlusOneSword the Eyes]] handy, so they're more convenient.
-->-- author comments on [[http://tasvideos.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17884 this]] ''VideoGame/NetHack'' [[SpeedRun TAS]]

->I also dug the scenes where [Count Orlok] was manhandling the coffins filled with dirt. In Stoker’s book he talks about Dracula’s [[SuperStrength inhuman strength]] and it was nice for once to see this dramatized not by throwing somebody through a wall but just by very casually lifting something extremely heavy.
-->--'''[[http://www.ruthlessreviews.com/1823/nosferatu-phantom-der-nacht/ Ruthless Reviews]],''' ''Film/{{Nosferatu}}''

->Prowess, might, vigor, intensity, puissance - no matter what name you describe it with, [[SuperStrength Potence]] is an impressive Discipline. Too many neonates think of it as a simple, brutal combat ability, but it is actually much more: it's actually a sophisticated, complex and unpredictable combat ability - coupled with its uses in Nosferatu [[WickedCultured art and architecture.]]
-> [[TunnelKing Expanding a city's sewer system]] takes more than political influence and faithful ghouls. When making improvements to the labyrinthine underworld beneath cities, Nosferatu often use Potence to assist the ghouls with the most difficult tasks. [[FastTunnelling Tunneling through solid rock]], moving chunks of rock and concrete, or just collapsing a tunnel with a powerful blow are also useful skills in Nosferatu construction.
-->--''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade - Clanbook: Nosferatu (Revised)''

->...he has grown accustomed to [[DisabilitySuperpower compensating for the lack of his arm]] by using his magics to perform common tasks - an act that distresses many visitors to his laboratories, most of whom are unused to [[MindOverMatter flasks leaping from tables to pour themselves]].
-->--Image notes for '''al-Ashrad,''' ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade - Children Of The Night''

->'''[[VideoGame/GhostTrick Lynne]]''': ''(accidentally bumps into a glass of soda and spills it over)'' Aw crud! ''(takes out pistol and points it at head)'' SIGH!\\
''(JumpCut to scene of suicide and Sissel just discovered the dead body)''\\
'''Sissel''': Lynne! Don't worry, I'll use my powers of the dead to rewind time and stop whoever killed you!\\
'''Spirit!Lynne''': I killed me. When you go back in time, can you move my soda so I don't spill it?\\
'''Sissel''': Are you serious?!
-->--''Webcomic/AwkwardZombie #[[http://www.awkwardzombie.com/index.php?page=0&comic=090516 474]]''

->''You always use [your laser eyes] for something lame, like cutting through an iceberg or heating up an old woman's porridge. "Is that soup too cold madam? Zzzt!" I'd use that stuff to take off Bane's arm.''
-->--'''Batman''', ''WebSite/CollegeHumor'', "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prRySgsgtnM Batman and Superman Team Up]]"

-->-- ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12126095/22/Recursion Recursion]]''.

-> ''I really hope the [[ItMakesSenseInContext phoenix living inside this spear]] doesn't mind me using it this way...and done!''
--->-- '''Stephen Colbert''', ''WebComic/FakeNewsRumble'', [[http://www.star-crossedcomic.com/fnr/fnr_9_24.html scratching a plan in the ground]]

->'''Persephone:''' ...did you just use [[ShockAndAwe lightning]] to make toast?
->'''Baal:''' Power corrupts.
-->--''ComicBook/TheWickedAndTheDivine''

-->--''Fanfic/AForceOfFour''

->Oh, dear! The refrigerator wasn't turned low enough last night and the ice cream melted! Everyone will be disappointed! Hmm... Nobody is watching me, so... I'll blow my SuperBreath to super-cool it again!
-->-- '''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}''', ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' #253

->I want to say I'm not going to use this to cheat on tests, but I'm going to use this to cheat on tests.
-->-- [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp.php?id=282 Sarah discovering]] her TimeStandsStill spell, ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive''

-->--''Fanfic/HarryPotterAndTheMethodsOfRationality''

->'''Colossus''': I didn't know Jean and the professor were surgeons.
->'''Cyclops:''' They aren't, but they are as qualified as anyone within their mind-reading radius. Fifty times as far if the professor's mental abilities are enhanced by Cerebro.
-->-- ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen''

->"They say," Bellara broke the silence, "That before the war, we were used for entertainment."
->"We?" I ask, though I know what she means.
->"Wizards. We'd put on shows for hundreds of thousands of people. [[PlayingWithFire Fire-Spitters]] shooting flames toward the moon. [[VoluntaryShapeshifting Changers]] dancing in the flickering light. They say [[MasterOfIllusion Smiling Toms]] were given leave to create anything they could imagine."
->I snort. It seems like such a childish thought. These days, Smiling Toms are forbidden from using their strength [[MilitaryMage for anything but the war]]: stratagems, camouflage, misdirection.
-->--''War Cry,'' by Brian [=McClellan=]

->To hide from the eyes and minds of our enemies, that is the sole purpose of [[VoluntaryShapeshifting our art]]. It is not to keep our toes warm! Whatever next? Shall we grow rabbits' tails to serve as cushions? Instead of hats we could all develop snail shells on our heads or keep long weasel bodies if we consider [[LittlePeople our natural stature too diminutive]]. If we debase our gift, then we debase ourselves and [[SeriousBusiness only tragedy will follow]].
-->--'''[[SadistTeacher Terser Gibble]],''' ''[[Literature/{{Hagwood}} Thorn Ogres Of Hagwood]]''

->'''Jake:''' Some reason why you're [[VoluntaryShapeshifting morphing]] to lobster?"
->'''Marco:''' <Ummmm. . . I dropped my keys down in the pool? I was going to go get them?>
->'''Jake:''' [[SarcasmMode Well, then it's a good thing you have the ability to turn into a lobster, because otherwise, what would you do]]? I mean, normal people, they drop their keys in the pool, they're just totally helpless. Those keys stay down there. Forever.
->'''Marco:''' You seem perky today. You want something to drink?"
->'''Jake:''' [[DeadpanSnarker What are you going to do, morph to cow and squeeze me out a glass of two percent?]]
-->--''Literature/{{Animorphs}} #54: The Beginning''

->'''Prompto Argentum:''' Bring out the shiny sword!
->'''Noctis Lucis Caelum:''' What 'shiny sword'?
->'''Gladiolus Amicitia:''' Don't you have something that glows in the dark?
->'''Noctis:''' You know...
->'''Ignis Scientia:''' [[FlyingWeapon The]] [[SpontaneousWeaponCreation power]] [[WalkingArsenal of]] [[SuperMode kings]]... reduced to a torch.

->'''[[ComicBook/JeanGrey]]:''' (snickering) That makes me think of the time we had to, oh, you know...\\

It makes a portion of the object's gravity turn into anti-gravity, usually resulting in an explosion and if you point it at a star, it could cause a supernova and irradiate whole swathes of space.\\
He said it would be useful in future mining endeavors. For when you want to mine a black hole.

He said it would be useful in future mining endeavors. For when you want to mine a black hole.\\

-> Early on in the War in Heaven Mag’ladroth, despite being one of the most physically powerful of the C’tan, was sidelined into building devices for the Necrontyr and the other C'tan. [[MadScientist He had more of a taste for it]], though the other C'tan all made fun of him behind his back.