What does the phrase "going pass human's physical limits" mean to you?

[NotaNuffian]

So I had been hearing this phrase a lot because I'm reading a wuxia/ xuanhuan novel.

And I come to hate this phrase "going pass human's physical limits".

Because a martial artist who practise Iron Shroud and can block knives with their bare body is "going pass human's physical limits".

Hawkeye and his insane aimbot ability is "going pass human's physical limits".

Femboy Yi Shiwoon smashing up concrete and breaking arms is "going pass human's physical limits".

A level one mage casting a firebolt cantrip is "going pass human's physical limits".

To hell, to a common dweeb, Usain Bolt and Olympic gold medalists are "going pass human's physical limits".

Then I looked at Peakhuman Superpower https://powerlisting.fandom.com/wiki/Peak_Human_Condition and feel my blood boiling.

 

[Forcalor]

Like it's something from Dragon Ball Z

 

[Deleted member 206441]

 

[Corty]

Like having a human with the jaw strength of a crock:

 

[Garolymar]

For me it's that moment when the person is bleeding out, doesn't know he's dead yet, but he keeps going, taking down as many as he needs to, or carrying out that last child from the fire before he collapses. When the goal is so important that death can wait a few minutes.

 

[MasterY001]

Honestly, I can't read wuxia any more than I can eat poison ivy. The idea that some Chinese stick figure with zero hours in the gym can turn me, a well-built dude with training in multiple forms of self-defense, into a pretzel because he's the protagonist makes me sick.

If you hadn't read some of my previous posts, I consider myself to be quite athletic. However, maintaining that state takes a lot (and I mean A LOT) of pain and sacrifice. I can't drink alcohol or take any drugs (besides Tylenol), I rarely eat junk food and only in emergencies, I can't drink soda, and I often start my day in a lot of pain. So, you can imagine how frustrated mystical wuxia (and even some isekais) can make me.

As for "going past Human limits," that has a very broad interpretation. The minimum, of course, is to be "above average" mentally, physically, and emotionally. And with the right genes, practice, lifestyle choices, and motivation, that could be anyone. You brought up Hawkeye, a "superhero" whose "superpower" is a talent he had to discover and hone throughout his life. His story is not that much different from pro athletes.

Bottom line: If you want to be the main character, put down the calligraphy brush, and pick up a barbell

 

[BearlyAlive]

It's everything that's more than average. When you need to laud your character but are too tryhard to just say "character stronk" you use flowery bs like "they have transcended human limitations by farting at a level 2 while being level 1" or something.

But I'm more the "pass on physical limitations" then "surpass them" kind of person, so what do I know, right?

 

[MasterY001]

For me it's that moment when the person is bleeding out, doesn't know he's dead yet, but he keeps going, taking down as many as he needs to, or carrying out that last child from the fire before he collapses. When the goal is so important that death can wait a few minutes.

In this person's defense, the idea of "delaying" death out of emotional obligation is scientifically possible. The Human brain is capable of a lot of funky things. Although, "seconds" would be more plausible than "minutes" in most cases.

For example, I don't plan to die until after the New York Jets win the Super Bowl. i.e. 2069 (the 100th anniversary of their only title) or later

 

[ArcadiaBlade]

When you clutch a 1v1 against death herself? I dunno. I usually run into her usually on sundays. She mostly complains how I always asking for death but avoids it like I'm Simon himself fighting against Anti-Spiral.

 

[TheBestofSome]

To me, it's performing an action which would cause a normal human's body to break down. Lifting something so heavy it rips your muscles apart (or should), shrugging off a hit that really ought to liquify your internal organs, reacting near instantly (we're talking less than ten milliseconds), that kinda thing. Athletes like Usain Bolt aren't surpassing humans' physical limits, they're only pushing at the boundaries. If they were surpassing them, they'd be tearing themselves apart.

In fiction, characters get to go past human physical limits without consequences. In the real world, trying to do so tends to either kill or cripple you.

 

[Ruti]

Going past humans physical limits should literally be just that- going past the limits your body sets.
In otherwords, it should be used when a character goes from fighting normally to literally breaking their own bones every attack

 

[Representing_Tromba]

For me it's pushing beyond normal human limits, Usian Bolt is a perfect example of someone who exceeds human limits. Drugs can also help you to do this, like crack.

 

[Dark_Phoenix_Zaetyk]

It means attaining quasi sensor realm the state between extraordinary and superhuman.It like when people have that adrenaline that's makes you do impossible things but we can't control it yet so we are still humans.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

It means being a vampire because we're just built different.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Mixing pre-workout with an energy drink and Cialis.

 

[ConansWitchBaby]

Adrenaline.

 

[AYM]

 

[Sola-sama]

By definition, I have surpassed human limit, both intellectually and physically.

 

[Fairemont]

In terms of Xianxia/Wuxia it typically means youre going beyond what a human can achieve with raw, physical training. So, introducing qi and cultivation. This allows yoy to surpass basic humanity, hence it usually leads to immortality.