I was inspired by this radio story that was on NPR the other day that was all about Superpowers. Not U.S. and U.S.S.R. Superpowers, but superhero superpowers. This American Life is always broken up into acts, and act 1 was focused on whether you would want the power of flight or invisibility. The story delved into what psychological insights might be found by reading into the decisions and comments of the people interviewed, but what I really want to know is what every money obsessed MBA like us wants to know: Which one could you monetize best and how?
At an informal discussion over pizza late at night, several of the "staff writers" talked about this very topic. The best our slightly buzzed brains could come up with for invisibility was espionage, whether corporate or for some national security agency. Of course, your body, once it is dissected to determine what allows you to be invisible, would be worth quite a bit but you won't be able to spend the money on a new Aston Martin and that mansion you have had your eye on since you'll be dead and in several pieces of varying size.
For flight, we came up with delivery (like quick delivery of sensitive items) or, for those who still have a small shriveled black organ that looks like a heart, emergency rescue. Now there probably isn't a ton of money in emergency rescue, but I suppose we didn't want to feel like total jerks.
Now that I'm looking at these "solutions" in the cold hard light of day, and after the buzz has worn off, I have to admit I'm really not that impressed. Seriously, we came up with a James Bond wannabee who will likely spend more time in women's dressing rooms at Victoria's Secret and a glorified UPS delivery guy? Where is the big money? Where is the glory? Apparently not with either of our solutions. I wonder if an invisible marketer or flying consultant would get paid more than non-powered versions?
Can you do better? Probably, since the bar is pretty low. Would you please put me out of my misery and tell me what my poor overeducated MBA automaton brain overlooked? As with all brainstorms, we will accept any idea, even if it's only partially formulated, and will withhold criticism until you have left the room.
Time Travel - If I had the power to go see what is out there in the future..imagine all the possibilities, we could create or rid the world of recessions, wars and in the process make tons of money by playing the market.
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