Appreciation

It was superhero day at school, and a senior had donned some fake glasses as his costume.  Confused, I inquired as to which superhero he was supposed to be.  “Clark Kent,” he said.  “Clark Kent is not a superhero,” I said.  “Superman is a superhero, and Clark Kent is his alter ego.”

A rousing debate ensued.  Well, it wasn’t really a debate; it was pretty much me against everyone else.

“No one calls out for Clark Kent in desperation,” I said.  I was being difficult in my typical way.  Yes, I was trying to make a legitimate philosophical point, but mostly I was just trying to intellectually irritate the students.  The controlled chaos of classroom debate continued

“Bruce Wayne is not a superhero!”   I was growing more confident in my stance, and sensed the argument drawing to a close.  I was ready to claim victory.  Then a clever student raised her hand.  The class quieted.

“Clark Kent is Superman.  Superman is a superhero.  Therefore, by transitivity, Clark Kent is a superhero.”

In a rare moment, I had no clever response.  In light of this stunningly elegant argument, I was forced to concede.  But I’ll be back.