Summary

The article discusses the science behind the character The Deep's powers in "The Boys," comparing human taste perception to that of fish and exploring the concept of Compound V as a means to unlock latent human abilities.

Abstract

The piece delves into the biological differences between human and fish taste perception, highlighting that while humans have taste buds on their tongues, fish possess them all over their bodies. It draws parallels between the sensory capabilities of fish and the fictional superhero The Deep from the Amazon Studios series "The Boys," who has the ability to taste through his gills. The article further speculates on the idea of Compound V, a fictional substance from the show, which could theoretically grant humans enhanced abilities, such as the mammalian dive reflex, allowing them to survive longer underwater. It also references real-life examples of extraordinary human abilities that mirror superpowers, suggesting that science can reveal potential beyond our current limitations.

Opinions

The author implies that the concept of Compound V, while fictional, is an allegory for the untapped potential of human abilities.
There is an underlying tone of fascination with the idea that humans could possess latent superpowers, akin to those seen in "The Boys."
The article suggests that our understanding of taste and sensory perception could be expanded by considering the capabilities of other species, like fish.
The author seems to enjoy drawing connections between the fantastical elements of "The Boys" and real scientific principles, such as the mammalian dive reflex.
By mentioning the work of Doctor Ed Hope and his analysis of superpowers, the author endorses the idea that science can explain and even mirror the extraordinary abilities depicted in fiction.
The piece encourages readers to explore the science behind superpowers and to consider the possibility that humans may have undiscovered abilities, using the article's content as a starting point for further investigation.

The Boys: Science Reveals The Most Disgusting (But Delicious?) Thing About The Deep’s Powers

If you thought the Deep’s gills were weird, wait until you hear where he keeps his taste buds

Why do we have taste buds? What does it mean to “taste” something anyway? And what if you could tell what something tastes like by taking a leisurely swim?

It turns out fish aren’t like people. Neither are superheroes with fish powers.

Maybe that seems obvious to you. I guess it kinda is, but did you know just how different they are?

I didn’t know until a recent episode of Short Wave on taste buds (video at the end).

Human have taste buds on their tongues

Our taste buds help us distinguish flavors, but also the composition of things. The compatibility of that substance to our body and our minds, whether a seemingly bad flavor is somehow still a pleasurable experience. Didn’t you ever wonder why we love stuff that tastes sour? It’s boiling acid in our mouths!

And yet if you hand me a bag of sour Skittles, I will eat the entire bag.

The Boys (Amazon Studios), graphic by me

Our taste buds are as sensitive as our fingertips. Put a treat on your tongue and while you may not be able to explain why it tastes the way it does, you know what it tastes like.

If only you didn’t have to put it in your mouth to know for sure whether it tastes like candy or curdled mother’s milk.

If only you could just hold it in your hand and know whether it was a tasty treat.

Could you secretly have fish powers?

A fish has taste buds over their entire body. Their fins, their tails, their mouths, their backs, their humps, each exposed part of the fish is constantly tasting the fluid around it.

Not just the stuff that tastes good. Think about everything else that’s in the water. Chemicals, trash, a bunch of poo.

Fish are underwater, so it’s not like they can smell the stuff.

Then again, isn’t smelling something technically just a different way of tasting it…?

Were you secretly exposed to Compound V?

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Do we all have super powers?

Just like a fish, we walk through our environment using our entire body to taste our entire world. The difference, at least when I open my imagination and forget about being so literal, is that we can’t taste much of anything when we’re in the water.

But when we’re in open air?

We smell and taste just as much disgusting stuff around us as he does in the water. Because the air isn’t just air. It’s a fluid. It’s been shifted into a different state — Short Wave will explain the technical stuff — but our lungs breathe it the same as they would a thicker liquid.

If only we’d had enough Compound V for us to breathe underwater.

Guess what mother****er?!

Compound V gave you the next best thing: the mammalian dive reflex.

A former advertising junkie and musician by night, Doctor Ed Hope now treats patients and entertains audiences with his Dr Hope Sick Notes videos.

In his video breaking down the science of each supe’s superpowers, he explained that humans can’t breathe underwater, but we have a superpower that helps us not need to.

When the mammalian dive reflex engages, “your heart rate slows down, blood gets distributed away from your limbs to your heart and brain so you can survive longer.”

Open your mouth, open your mind, close your blowhole

Yer a superhero, Harriet!

Superman’s poppa was as flawed as Homelander’s daddy, but he did give us a few words of wisdom.

Keep testing your limits, dear ones. Science shows us we’re capable of more than we can dream.

And even though Compound V isn’t totally real (at least not yet), there’s always a new season of The Boys to suggest new ways to explore our hidden potential.

PS. Here’s that episode of Short Wave on the science of sour

Further explorations of REAL super powers (offsite links)

Super speed: Using a katana to cut a pellet fired at 250 MPH

Flying: The early version of Superman also did a version of base jumping

X-ray vision: Blind man Daniel Kish uses sonar-based clicks to tell more about his environment than your eyes ever could

Super speed: Proving that super speed’s foundation is based as much in super stamina as super strength, Dean Karnazes can run 350 miles without stopping (not even to sleep!!!)

My Brain Injury Unlocked My Super Powers — And My Kryptonite

The little-known science behind Acquired Savant Syndrome (good lord that acronym)

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