Thanks to Canva for sponsoring the illusionist. In the 10 years since Canva began, it has

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magic write and magic design, which use AI to help you with your first drafts, get you

through the creative block, whew, because it's easier to start from something than from

a blank page. I put in a few writing prompts and, well, if Canva learns to speak, I think

I can just hand over hosting this show to it entirely. Also, if you and your colleagues

are working together, your human colleagues, that is, you can design and collaborate with

Canva for teams. Right now, you can get a free 45 day extended trial when you go to Canva.me-alusionist.

That's C-A-N-V-A.me-slash-alusionist for a free 45 day extended trial. Canva.me-slash-alusionist.

This is the illusionist in which I, Helen Salzman, spot language and a phone booth,

horribly changing into a spandex suit. On with the show!

I still do believe in this notion that superheroes are a very flattering mirror. They are ourselves,

but better. They make the choice to help others at risk to themselves. They don't give up,

and they look out for the needs of others over those of themselves. That is not complicated,

and it's not nuanced, and it's not even particularly insightful what it is. It's a good model

to live by. It's the golden rule in spandex.

But with a lot of the names, it's easy to tell which side those are on. So Superman, Wonder Woman,

they sound like goodies. The flash, that sounds spectacular. Spider-Man, a lot of people really hate spiders.

Yeah.

So that's a little more ambiguous. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course, and Batman, I mean like what you think the guy's going to get in your hair,

or give you rabies. You don't see that in the films. Meet Super Glen.

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