This month’s question makes a return from four years ago, but it truly falls into the category of an “oldie but a goodie.”
In this column, adopted from the familiar “Heard on the Street” format, we offer our responders a chance to revisit the question posed in the title. These are their replies, reported verbatim. Enjoy!
Practical & Bold Powers
I once read about a hypothetical superpower: the ability to refill anything. A propane tank running low? Refilled. A bank balance that could use a boost? Restored. On the surface, it sounds like the ultimate solution — practical, efficient and endlessly useful. But as with any superpower, benefits can carry unintended consequences. Coworkers disrupting your day? Refill their email inbox. A dinner guest makes an ill-timed comment? Refill their bladder when they return from the bathroom! The power to replenish, it turns out, can be just as disruptive as it is helpful when placed in the wrong hands. Every advantage carries responsibility, and every solution demands thoughtful application.
Lucy Schaffer
Shaffer’s Bottled Gas Inc.
Hooversville, Pennsylvania
My superpower would be strategic foresight: the ability to see second- and third-order consequences clearly and early. Why? I value defensibility first — not vibes, not hype. I want reasonable positions when things get messy. I like high-probability analysis and confidence levels because I value decision quality over speed of decision making. I tend to think in systems: ‘If I do X, what breaks? Who reacts? What happens next quarter or next year, not just today or next week?’ What this means in practice: I want to spot hidden risks in ‘good ideas’ before they become expensive lessons. I want to make decisions that quietly compound instead of options that look smart but decay over time. I want to know when not to act — which often may be more valuable than action. Why not flashier powers? Flashier powers like super-intelligence or time control are blunt instruments. Foresight is sharper and aligns with how I already try to operate: calm, structured and a little allergic to chaos masquerading as opportunity.
Chris Caywood
Caywood Propane Gas Inc.
Delray Beach, Florida
If I could have one superpower, since I have always had poor vision, I would ask for supernatural eyesight. But not just in the physical. I would also ask for it in a spiritual sense. Not only to have twenty-twenty vision for my eyes, but to be able to look at someone or something and be able to see good! In this world where there’s so much negative, I want to see the light and life in people and situations. See good, be good, do good.
Judy Taranovic
Proctor Gas Inc.
Proctor, Vermont
If I could choose any superpower, it would easily be the ability to breathe underwater. A couple of months ago, I went snorkeling in Hawaii, and it reminded me that there is an entire world of absolute breathtaking beauty beneath the waves. I’ve always been drawn to the ocean. Being near the water brings me such a sense of calm and clarity. With this power, I could ditch any snorkel gear and spend forever ‘playing mermaids’ and exploring the peaceful wonders of the water!
Steph Hennen
Lakes Gas Co.
Wyoming, Minnesota
Definitely time travel, although I am unsure if that would fall under superpower or scientific breakthrough. But to be able to go back and learn from all the great thinkers of the past would be amazing while blowing their mind with my iPhone.
Robert Kenney
Metsa
McCallum, Texas
My superpower would be endless energy. I would never have to sleep to recharge my mind and regenerate my body. Every superhero has to have a great costume. I imagine mine to look like something ‘Emily in Paris’ would wear. The perfect outfit for every occasion.
Julie Johnson
Ted Johnson Propane
Baldwin Park, California
More Time to Do Good
If I could have one superpower, it would be to teleport anywhere at any time. I love to travel; my superpower would allow me to bring people with me, and I would travel the world with my family. I could visit the mountains one day and then the beach the next, all on the weekend and still be back at work on Monday. No more sitting in traffic or dealing with airports!
Trevor Beaudry
Beaudry Oil & Propane
Elk River, Minnesota
If I could have one superpower, it would be the ability to make another person’s hurt or bad situation either go away or at least be more tolerable. That doesn’t always mean the illness or the situation is always solved or healed. Not all hurt is bad. But there are times when you want to help someone you love or a dear friend and mere words seem shallow. I would request one caveat with this superpower, and that is it comes with the cloak of total anonymity. True love or friendship never requires repayment or recognition.
Daniel R. Richardson
Conger LP Gas Inc.
Tifton, Georgia
One superpower I’d love to have is the ability to always feel rested, no matter how little sleep I get. Being able to feel refreshed and energized all the time would make life so much easier. I could push through a long, exhausting day at work and still come home with plenty of energy for my family. I would love that!
Charlie Criswell
Criswell Propane Inc.
Grinnell, Iowa
If I could choose a superpower, it would be teleportation. I absolutely love to travel, but not the actual traveling part. Being able to teleport would let me see more of the world without the time and hassle. Less time commuting would also mean more time with my family, which is the most important thing to me. I could have breakfast beignets in New Orleans, visit my family out of state whenever I wanted or pop over to a warm beach, which sounds especially tempting after the winter we have been having in the Northeast.
Staci Rammel
Woodruff Energy
Bridgeton, New Jersey
If I could have one superpower in this life, I would choose the ability to pause time. My daughter is seven months old, and these past seven months have flown by more quickly than I anticipated. I’m so glad she’s growing, but I’d love to be able just to press pause every now and then.
Kirsten U. McAlpin
Conger LP Gas Inc.
Tifton, Georgia
I never thought of having a superpower. However, if I was able to have one, it would likely be to make people calm and happy. There is tons of stuff in our lives today. Maybe people are overwhelmed daily by a variety of elements. Life balance is important to be a happy person. We live in a world of instant and ‘in your face’ information. Some we like, and some we don’t. I see friends and families being divided by politics and social issues. This causes stress. People feel like they have to respond to everything. I don’t think that is a healthy way of life. We all need to reflect on what’s important to us and not get sucked into the craziness. If I could make people calm and take more vacations, it might be a better place for all of us. We are only on this earth for a short time. Focus on what is important to you and your loved ones.
Ed Varney
Topline Management LLC
McKinney, Texas
To slow time in order to appreciate things more and smell the flowers for what they are. Today’s world moves at hyper speed, and we work hard to keep up. Slowing down to appreciate the good things in life would be a superpower in itself.
Mike Dodd
Propane Ninja
Tampa, Florida
‘Beam me up, Scotty.’ I would love the superpower of quickly being able to transport from one place to another. It would be amazing to go visit customers and family with the push of a button!
Abby Thurston
Rural Computer Consultants
Bird Island, Minnesota
Beyond the Superpower
As varied as these answers are, the reasons behind them are strikingly similar. They reflect a shared desire to be more present, to connect more deeply, to care for others and to experience life with greater meaning and intention.
