The Physics of Superheroes Quotes

“At one point in the story, following a brazen daytime bank robbery, Electro is shown escaping from the authorities by climbing up the side of a building, as easily as Spider-Man . . . we see one observer exclaim, "Look!! That strangely-garbed man is racing up the side of the building!" A second man on the street picks up the narrative: "He's holding on to the iron beams in the building by means of electric rays—using them like a magnet!! Incredible!"

There are three feelings inspired by this scene. The first is wonder as to why people rarely use the phrase "strangely-garbed" anymore. The second is nostalgia for the bygone era when pedestrians would routinely narrate events occurring in front of them, providing exposition for any casual bystander. And the third is pleasure at the realization that Electro's climbing this building is actually a physically plausible use of his powers.”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes

“Physics is not about having memorized all the answers, but rather about asking the right questions. For when the right question is posed of a phenomenon, either the answer becomes clear or at least a path to further and more fruitful questioning is revealed.”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes

“There'd be no molecules, no chemistry and, hence, no life without static cling.”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes

“This is not a "guilty pleasure" of mine, simply because I don't believe in "guilty" pleasures. Snobbery is just the public face of insecurity.”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes: Spectacular Second Edition

“Snobbery is just the public face of insecurity.”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes

“What initial velocity would Superman need, lifting off from the sidewalk, to vertically rise 660 feet?”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes

“As a kid I was deeply curious as to what college life would be like. Now that I am a university professor, I realize that this was a premonition that once I entered college I would never get out, and that my matriculation would turn into some sort of life sentence.”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes: Spectacular Second Edition

“Interestingly enough, whenever I cite examples from superhero comic books in a lecture, my students never wonder when they will use this information in their "real life". Apparently they all have plans, post-graduation, that involve protecting the City from all threat while wearing spandex. As a law-abiding citizen, this notion fills me with a great sense of security, knowing as I do how many of my scientist colleagues could charitably be termed "mad".”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes: Spectacular Second Edition

“However, I would argue that there is one simple question that implies all of the above questions and gets to the heart of the issues concerning the ball’s motion. That one single question is the following: Does the ball have any choice?”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes

“The publishers developed a set of rules governing acceptable comic-book content, with explicit instructions that gore, lewdness, drug use, zombies, and vampires were prohibited in any comic book bearing the Comics Code Authority seal of approval on its cover.”
― James Kakalios, The Physics of Superheroes