Line #320 JustForFun/TheseLookLikeJobsForTheSuperman


1	ComicBook {{Superhero}}es follow certain strict genre conventions: superhero costumes, {{Code Name}}s, [[SecretIdentity Secret Identities]], and [[LetsYouAndHimFight fights for absolutely no good reason]].
2
3	But we here at Website/TVTropes love [[JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife ruining things you love]], so this page is here to {{deconstruct\|ion}} one question: are there no other, better things, that a DifferentlyPoweredIndividual could do with their abilities?
4
5	A few rules:
6
7	# The occupation must be what the superhuman does as the ''primary'' application of their powers. Being a [[{{Franchise/Superman}} mild-mannered reporter by day and a never-ending crusader for justice on the off hours]] doesn't count.
8	# Fighting is already common in comics, thus, "{{vigilante\|Man}}", and any violent form of security, militarism or law enforcement, should be right out. Non-violent forms are permissible.
9	# Rule34 and PowerPerversionPotential are kind of a given, so no listing "sex worker", "escort" or "prostitute" in any of these categories.
10	# The profession must not violate any person's body and mind, free will, agency or ownership unless said person ''willingly'' allows it or if the target would be deemed legally unfit to decide for themselves. So jobs like "Con Man" for {{Humanshift\|ing}}er or "Politician" for CompellingVoice are disqualified.
11	# We must have a wiki page for said power already, such as SuperStrength and SuperSpeed. Or a combination, such as FlyingBrick.
12	# The occupation must be [[LikeRealityUnlessNoted as close to real ones as possible]], or at most possible by NextSundayAD. The GenesisEffect would be great for making space colonies, but let's solve unemployment here on Earth first.
13	# The power must be simple enough that NewPowersAsThePlotDemands is minimized as much as possible. The following abilities are banned, because the rules are either vague or how they operate varies from work to work.
14	** {{Seers}}
15	** RealityWarper
16	*** ImaginationBasedSuperpower
17	*** SemanticSuperpower
18	** TimeMaster
19	** TimeTravel
20	** TheMaker
21	** SuperIntelligence
22	** {{Shapeshifting}} ({{Humanshifter}}, SexShifter and SizeShifter being exceptions.)
23
24
25	See also: StockSuperpowersIndex, MundaneUtility, BoxingLessonsForSuperman, ReedRichardsIsUseless and CutLexLuthorACheck.
26
27	See SuperhumanTrafficking when supers are ''forced'' into these types of tasks, and SuperRegistrationAct for how {{Muggles}} would likely categorize these job-seekers. See also MundaneUtility for everyday applications of fantastic powers in general and SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids for other examples that fall under the rules of this game.
28
29	----
30	!!Examples:
31
32	* AnimalEyeSpy
33	** Wildlife documentaries
34	** Game Keeper
35	** Lost pet rescue service
36	** Ecologist
37
38	* AstralProjection
39	** Building Inspector
40	** News collector
41	** Relief worker [[note]]searching for people trapped under debris[[/note]]
42
43	* AutoRevive
44	** Hazard control
45	** Drug testing (including poisons)
46	** Safety inspection
47	** Anatomically accurate crash-test dummy
48
49	* BarrierWarrior:
50	** Safety and security
51	** Crowd control
52	** Contact sports official
53	** Relief official [[note]]helping hold back floods, collapsing buildings, etc[[/note]]
54
55	* TheBeastmaster
56	** Animal control
57	** Ranching
58	** Gamekeeper
59	** Pigeon post
60	** Zookeeper
61	** Circus animal trainer
62
63	* BlowYouAway:
64	** Aerodynamic research
65	** Wind tunnel testing
66	** Just about anything to do with ventilation
67	** Wind turbine
68
69	* CastingAShadow
70	** Stage magician
71	** Emergency blackout station
72	** Light pollution counteraction at an astronomical observatory
73
74	* CharmPerson [[note]]The difference between this and CompellingVoice is that the latter directly tells someone what to do. This power makes them more pleasant and attentive to the caster, and/or more considerate to the caster's needs or desires.[[/note]]
75	** Child services [[note]]Particularly for troubled or maladjusted youth. Will also need strict regulation to protect their rights.[[/note]]
76	** Family counseling
77	** Hostage negotiator
78
79	* ColdFlames
80	** Stage magician (for tricks involving fire)
81	** Mood lighting[[note]]as long as it's not dangerously cold[[/note]]
82	** Air conditioning if it's actually cold
83
84	* CombatTentacles
85	** Massage therapist
86	** One-man band
87	** Concierge
88	** Juggler
89	** Housewife/househusband
90	** Assembly line worker
91	** Heavy machinery operator
92
93	* CompellingVoice:
94	** Addiction recovery counselor
95	** Crowd control, to prevent panic and riots [[note]]Where immediate safety outweighs personal rights.[[/note]]
96	** Motivational speaker
97	** Personal training
98	** Hostage negotiation [[note]]Where immediate safety outweighs personal rights as well.[[/note]]
99	** Scheduling Assistant
100	** Suicide watch or negotiator
101
102	* DetectEvil
103	** Any type of civil service, justice department or public relations profession. Preferably as a clerk or advisor, separate from the person who makes final decisions.
104	** Ethics specialist at a law firm. Heavily depends on fineness of the skill.[[note]]If it's merely the ability to detect the presence or absence of evil in an area, [[EvilLawyerJoke it doesn't help you much]]. On the other hand, if it tells you where it's coming from and what kind of evil it is, then the skill can be put to good use.[[/note]]
105	** Corporate Recruiter
106	** Any sort of managerial or leadership position.
107
108	* DishingOutDirt:
109	** Landscaping
110	** Construction
111	** Mining
112	** Excavation
113	** Soil trade
114	** Disaster response for landslides, earthquakes, or sinkholes.
115
116	* DreamingOfTimesGoneBy[[note]]Assuming there's a way to target it.[[/note]]
117	** Historical research
118	** Accident investigation
119	** Expert witness
120	** Credit inspector
121	** Investigator
122
123	* DreamSpying
124	** Persons search
125	** Psychiatrist
126
127	* DreamWeaver
128	** Entertainer
129	** Therapist
130	** Messenger
131	* EmotionControl
132	** Suicide prevention counselor / hotline operator.
133	** Riot control.
134	** Priest / Missionary / Televangelist
135	*** An ethical use of this power would be to instill a sense of hope, community and peace of mind among your flock, or to help console people experiencing grief.
136	** Anger management counselor
137
138	* TheEmpath:
139	** Mediator for legal disputes or business negotiations
140	** Marriage counselor
141	** Sex therapist
142
143	* ExtraOreDinary:
144	** Demolition
145	** Foreman
146	** Mining
147	** Manufacturing
148	** Sculptor
149
150	* ExtremeOmnivore
151	** Demolition
152	** Landscaping
153	** Waste disposal
154
155	* EyeBeams:
156	** Laser surgeons
157	** Welders
158	** Precision carving/sculpture
159
160	* {{Flight}}:
161	** Courier
162	** Painters
163	** Cable guys
164	** Maintenance/custodial jobs (can access ceiling fixtures without a ladder, doesn't need to step on freshly waxed floors)
165	** Human weather balloon
166	** Safety monitor for skydivers or hang gliders
167	** Delivery service
168	** Window Washers
169	** Motion Picture Cameraman (save a LOT of money on helicopters and cranes)
170	** Power line repair
171	** Skyscraper firefighter (never worry about not having a tall enough ladder again!)
172
173	* FlyingBrick:
174	** On-board air travel security (for preventing hijackings, safe evacuation or even catching falling planes)
175	** Towing service
176	** Construction worker
177	** Airliner engine
178	** Cruise ship engine
179	** Air combat target drone
180	** Franchise/{{Superman}} (The TropeNamer)
181	*** Short-order cook. He can heat things up, move at superspeed, etc.
182	*** Space vehicle launch. He can put satellites into orbit much more cheaply and safely than a space rocket.
183	*** Power plant. (c.f [[https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2011-07-13 here]])
184	*** One [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] comic had the Man of Steel perform "super landscaping".
185	*** Robert P. Murphy lists a whole lot of professions that the Man of Tomorrow would be good at [[http://mises.org/daily/2242 here]]. (Some of his examples assume powers shown only in ''Superman II'' such as telekinesis, which are not generally considered canon.)
186
187	* GravityMaster:
188	** Amusement park attraction
189	** Heavy lifting
190	** Propulsion/transportation
191	** Astronaut
192	** Human turbine
193	** Magician
194	** Demolition
195	** Human trash compactor
196
197	* GreenThumb:
198	** Farmer
199	** Horticulturist
200	** Aromatic
201	** Herbalist
202	** Spice trader
203	** Aromatherapist
204	** Florist
205	** Flood control -- through quick growing barriers
206	** Crowd control -- the same
207	** Demolition -- tree roots can break open stone
208	** Landscaper
209	** Salad chef
210
211	* HavingABlast:
212	** Mining
213	** Demolitions
214	** Human combustion engine
215
216	* HealingHands:
217	** Meat production (provided they can heal flesh but not resurrect)
218	** Beautician
219	** Plastic surgeon
220	** Paramedic / doctor
221	** Faith Healer / Televangelist
222	** Veterinarian
223
224	* HealingFactor:
225	** Source of transplant organs [[note]]For compatible individuals[[/note]]
226	** Weapons testing
227	** Demolition
228	** Disaster relief
229	** Firefighter
230
231	* {{Humanshifting}}
232	** Actor/Impressionist
233	** Stunt Double
234	** Professional Body Double/Decoy
235	** Therapist[[note]]Turning into dead loved ones to give closure, giving a shy person the courage to talk to a crush, stand up to an abuser, or ask a boss for a raise.[[/note]]
236	** Model
237	** Process Server
238
239	* AnIcePerson:
240	** Refrigeration
241	** Climate control
242	** Firefighting
243	** Ice sculpture
244	** Creating an ice rink
245	** Snow cone vendor
246	** Shipwright
247
248	* {{Immortality}}
249	** Historian
250	** Legal counsel[[note]]As generations pass or jobs are handed down to different people, the original context of certain texts, laws, or speeches may become lost. An immortal counsel (assuming their memory is reliable) can provide insight into the intended context. However, they should NOT have final say over how it's interpreted, because they may succumb to a NostalgiaFilter.[[/note]]
251	** Stock trader
252	** Safety inspector/tester
253	** Test Pilot
254
255	* IncredibleShrinkingMan:
256	** Mechanical repair
257	** Locksmithing
258	** Watchmaking
259	** Building inspector
260	** Assistant to microsurgery
261	** Microorganism research
262
263	* IntangibleMan
264	** Surgery (XRayVision may also be needed)
265	** Disaster response
266	** Some locksmith services
267	** Mechanic/repairman (XRayVision may also be needed)
268
269	* LightTheWay
270	** Exploration
271	** Disaster response
272	** Laser surgery
273	** Welding
274	** Emergency light supply
275	** Tanning salon (depending on type/variety of light produced/controlled)
276	** Lighting technician for stage, film or photography.
277	** Magician/entertainer (using light to create illusions and light shows).[[note]] In fact, anything under MasterOfIllusion could go here, if their control of light is good enough[[/note]]
278
279	* LivingLieDetector
280	** Police interrogator
281	** Witness examiner
282	** Job interviewer
283	** Probation or parole officer
284	** Judge (if powers can be used as legal evidence)
285
286	* MagmaMan
287	** Volcanologist
288	** Geothermal energy producer
289	** Glass maker
290	** Soil creator
291
292	* MakeSomeNoise
293	** Creating sonic distress signals
294	** Disaster relief (by using their powers as sonar)
295	** Exploration (same as above)
296
297	* MakeThemRot:
298	** Organic trash disposal
299	** Demolitions expert
300	** Soil creator
301	** Brewer or vintner, using the power to ferment grain or fruit
302
303	* MakingASplash:
304	** Drought relief
305	** Irrigation
306	** Cleaning services
307	** Plumbing
308	** Human water turbine
309	** Firefighting
310	** Various types of fountains, sculptures and entertainment
311	** Flood relief or even prevention
312	** Lifeguard
313
314	* MasterOfIllusion:
315	** Home entertainment
316	** Office presentation
317	** Ceremonies
318	** Movie Effects
319	** Simulated scenarios (ex. Recreating the events of a crime for the jury)
320	** Actor. The role doesn't even have to be of a human.
321	** Magician
322
323	* MultiArmedMultitasking:
324	** Massage therapist
325	** One-man band
326	** Concierge
327	** Juggler
328	** Housewife/househusband
329
330	* {{Necromancer}} [[note]] Limiting this to the literal meaning of Necromancer, meaning "speaking to the dead", as "controlling the dead" violates the spirit of "Profession cannot violate the body, mind, sanity or sanctity of a person" even if the dead have fewer rights than the living[[/note]]
331	** Estate Attorney [[note]] If there is a dispute regarding the will of the deceased or the wishes thereof, one could just ask[[/note]]
332	** Grief Counselor [[note]] Everyone has something they wish they had said to a loved one before they died. This just makes it easier[[/note]]
333	** Witness Assistant [[note]] Who better to call to take the stand at a murder trial than the victim themselves?[[/note]]
334	** Historian [[note]] If able to speak to those who have been dead for a sufficiently long time.[[/note]]
335
336	* NighInvulnerability
337	** Firefighter
338	** Civilian demolitions expert
339	** Hazard control
340	** Safety inspection
341	** Animal control
342	** Crash test dummy
343	** Live target/sparring practice
344	** Volcanologist, and other research in dangerous environments
345	** Stunt person
346
347	* PaperMaster:
348	** Records clerk
349	** Toymaker
350	** Origami artist
351	** Office organizer
352	** Corporate shredding
353	** Casino worker (dealing cards for blackjack, poker, etc.)
354	** Paper recycling
355
356	* PeoplePuppets
357	** Personal trainer
358	** Wish-fulfillment fantasy[[note]]Such as a little kid who wishes they could fight like Creator/BruceLee.[[/note]]
359	** Physical therapy
360	** Riot control [[note]]Subject to strict guidelines, only if things get violent and the need for public safety outweighs personal liberties.[[/note]]
361
362	* PlagueMaster [[note]]Assuming control of the diseases, including the ability to remove them.[[/note]]
363	** Vaccine creation
364	** Mass vaccinations
365	** Pandemic management
366	** Disease research
367	** Doctor
368	** Pest control[[note]]Including removal of entire invasive species.[[/note]]
369
370	* PlayingWithFire:
371	** Firefighter
372	** Chef
373	** Glass production
374	** Limitless energy source
375	** Welding
376	** Sterilization -- particularly of sealed environments.
377	** Lighting
378	** Outdoor grilling chef
379	** Lighting campfires for boy scout jamborees
380	** Human cigarette lighter
381	** Circus performer
382	** Blacksmith
383	** Potter
384
385	* PowerCopying:
386	** Research & Development
387	** Training instructor
388
389	* {{Psychometry}}
390	** Archeology
391	** Identifying amnesiacs and/or corpses from their effects
392	** Expert witness about whether goods were stolen
393
394	* SelfDuplication:
395	** One-man work crew
396	** One-man sports team
397	** Film extra
398	** Control group for research
399	** One-man dance crew
400	** Riot control
401
402	* SexShifter
403	** A valuable subject of research or testimony regarding differences between biology.
404	** Actor/Actress (if both forms are recognizable, might be more useful as extras).
405	** Fashion/make-up model for both genders.
406	** Tailor for both genders.
407	** Personal trainer for both genders.
408
409	* SizeShifter
410	** Natural disaster prevention
411	** Many utility jobs, such as construction or telephone wire repair.
412	** Manufacturing and production, depending on where they get the extra size from and how stable it is.
413	** Most of the abilities listed in SuperStrength, depending on SquareCubeLaw.
414	** Some of the abilities listed in IncredibleShrinkingMan, if they can increase the size of other things and have enough space to do so.
415
416	* ShockAndAwe
417	** Limitless power source
418	** Lightning rod
419	** Electrician
420	** Electrical engineer
421	** Electrical lineman
422	** Electronics repair
423	** Electrotherapist
424	** High-voltage physics researcher
425	** Emergency power supply
426
427	* SpeaksFluentAnimal
428	** Veterinarian
429	** Animal-human diplomat
430	** Animal trainer/educator
431	** Animal psychologist
432	** Neurologist [[note]]Figuring out what animals are really thinking and how their brains work has been a challenge for scientists since the dawn of human thought.[[/note]]
433	** Animal lawyer (yes, that's a thing)
434	** Court translator ([[MakeTheDogTestify animal witnesses]])
435	*** Or a detective-if animal testimony isn't allowed in court, they could still be used to find other evidence.
436	** Drug Investigator, or anthing involving police dogs
437
438	* SuperReflexes
439	** Any type of caretaker position.
440	** Any type of medical profession.
441	** Any kind of work in dangerous environments (where other safety precautions are impractical).
442	** Play-by-play commentary
443	** Sports officiating
444	** Juggling
445	** Stuntman
446
447	* SuperSenses
448	** Any type of inspection work
449	** Stage magician
450	** Security adviser
451	** Quality assurance
452	** Post-war minesweeper
453	** Any type of medical professional
454	** Astronomer (no need for a telescope!)
455	** Surveillance
456	** Chef (assuming enhanced senses include smell and taste)
457	** Composer (hearing)
458	** Fine tuning, from musical instuments to jet engines
459
460	* SuperSmoke:
461	** Building inspector
462	** Engine repairman: No need to take the engine apart! That is, given that no part actually needs to be removed.
463	** HVAC repairman
464	** Riot control (if smoke is irritant)
465
466	* SuperSpeed:
467	** Messenger/Delivery Service
468	** Census taker
469	** Human turbine
470	** Inspector/scout (get in and out quick)
471	** Typist
472	** Riddler [[note]]Riddling is the process of turning many of bottles of wine or champagne every day to prevent settlement. Imagine doing this over and over again for ''hours''.[[/note]]
473	** Wigmaking [[note]]They need to sew each individual hair in place one at a time. A quality wig usually takes 50 hours of labor to produce...[[/note]]
474	** Speed stacking competitions-speed ''anything'' competitions, for that matter, especially if they also have a sufficiently fast metabolism.
475	** Process Server -- not only to deliver but to get away safe -- so especially for serving processes on the superpowered.
476	** Disaster relief-can get people out of the way of aftershocks, scout around to make sure no one was left behind, dash into burning buildings, etc.
477
478	* SuperStrength:
479	** Virtually any job that requires the movement of heavy materials/machinery.
480	** Depending on the volume and mass that can be moved at once and speed sacrificed, anything from mining, towing, cargo transportation, and landscaping.
481	** Any type of demolition/destruction or compaction work.
482	** Food pulping/mashing.
483	** Diamond production
484	** Human turbine, again
485
486	* TalkingInYourDreams
487	** Tutor
488	** Therapist
489	** Messenger
490
491	* {{Telekinesis}} (including some forms of magnetism)
492	** Transportation of supplies ''especially'' for hard to reach locations
493	** Blockade runner during wartime
494	** Disaster relief
495	** Cleaning. Lift dust off of surfaces, or simply lift all of the items on a crowded surface
496	** Massage therapist
497	** Tasks in sterile or otherwise sealed environments
498	** Salvage of underwater items, or from other dangerous environments.
499	** Hazardous materials handling
500
501	* {{Teleportation}}:
502	** Travel guide
503	** Courier
504	** Messenger/Delivery Service
505	** Paramedic (particularly if (s)he can teleport others)
506	** Disaster relief (same as above)
507	** Space shuttle (depending on their limits of carrying)
508	** Magician's assistant
509
510	* {{Technopath}}:
511	** Astronaut
512	** Pretty much any tech support or information technology job
513	** Online community manager
514	** Repairman
515	** Technological researcher
516	** Engineer
517	** Security and Surveillance Consultant
518
519	* {{Telepathy}}:
520	** Witness examiner [[note]]This will require ''strict'' regulations to avoid violating someone's rights.[[/note]]
521	** Psychotherapist
522	** Distance communication (dependent on range)
523	** Communication facilitation (Movie director wants a stage set like this? Telepath could put the image right in the set designer's thoughts.)
524	** Diplomat's assistant
525	** Prisoner interrogator
526	** Sports official[[note]]To determine "intent" in such cases where it matters--for instance, the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roller_(American_football) "Holy Roller" incident]] in American football, where a team intentionally (and illegally) fumbled a ball and kicked it into the endzone.[[/note]]
527
528	* VoiceChangeling
529	** Voice actor
530	** Musician
531	** Stand-up comedian/impressionist
532	** Virtually any customer service job over the phone
533	** Sound research (depending on how wide their range is)
534
535	* WalkingWasteland[[note]]Assuming there's a way to control/contain it.[[/note]]
536	** Deforestation
537	** Groundskeeping (needs extremely finite control)
538	** Pest control
539	** Corpse disposal
540
541	* WeatherManipulation
542	** Meteorologist
543	** Drought relief
544	** Directing hurricanes and tornadoes away from populated areas
545	** Firefighter, especially effective for forest and grass fires
546	** Farmer or farm hand: who needs irrigation when you have controlled rainfall?
547	** Environmentalist/conservationist
548	** Live stage performance effects (e.g. if Act 2 Scene IV takes place in a snowstorm)
549
550	* XRayVision
551	** Spotting tumors or internal injuries
552	** Home inspector

Context JustForFun / TheseLookLikeJobsForTheSuperman