Average people seek to make changes in the world through volunteering, donating their time or money, or simply helping a neighbor who is struggling. Organizations seek to do the most good with their resources such as the Red Cross. In the comic book world of Cable and Deadpool (2004), the character Cable develops a "God Complex" and truly believes that he can save the world from itself by uniting all people under his rule, despite their consternation. He seeks to eliminate racism, classism, and end nearly all human suffering. Cable builds a floating fortress in the sky, and truly believes he is doing the most good through his actions. It later is discovered that his actions are creating more strife and agony for those that don't see or share his vision of the world, as he is mentally manipulating these people into utopia. This character illustrates a clear case of Absolutism.
Though possessing a slightly inflated ego, Cable truly has the ability to reshape the world as he sees fit. He is an incredibly gifted telepath that can manipulate the world around him. In an interview with his good friend for publication, he explains the rationale behind his actions:
"'I'm sorry, does it bother you? Turning people's skin pink, changing it back and saying 'don't bother thanking me, just be glad I'm here' raising chunks of debris from all over the earth and sculpting a floating sanctuary?---Should I go on?' 'Please do. It sounds more impressive when you run it all together... 'Four days rerouting waterways to flood half the Sahara, two days to throw every single logger out of the Amazon rain forest, two hours a day soothing the pain of every single person on the planet dying of any kind of disease---' 'Well, two hours where that is my only focus. I'm doing it right now, too.' 'You think this is funny?' 'My mission or this interview?' 'Let's talk about your mission.' 'I want to save the world.' 'What would you call---' 'I can read minds, Irene---I can read yours too---I know what people want''' (Nicenza, Cable and Deadpool #7, pg. 8-9).
Cable is in the unique position of determining the needs and wants of those in pain by reading their minds and determining what they truly need of him. The hubris in this plan removes any semblance of choice for these individuals about precisely what direction their lives move in, though it is often for the greater good. In this process, though, he makes it difficult to say no, as his abilities drastically improve their lives and the world. Cable leaves no choice: join him or suffer from the trappings of human existence.
Furthermore, once he becomes too much of a threat to the world powers at large, as they don't know his true motives, they seek to eliminate his iron grip on the world. Cable, in his absolutist mentality, feels that the world powers are seeking to destroy his utopia, while oblivious of the fact that his worldwide reshaping has had dire consequences. The world powers seek to obliterate Cable's manipulation of free will. This cold, calculating nature manifests itself in a dialogue with Cyclops, a fellow X-men (mutant super-hero) member:
"'Let me go through with this, Scott. Please. Just a little while longer.' 'Until the world blows itself up trying to stop you---or until you kill yourself?' 'I know what I'm doing. Seriously. Absolutely. Completely. I can read everybody's mind. I can turn spark to flame, give people a reason to hope--nudge them away from prejudice, greed--'Nudge?' 'Not like that! Show them the path, hold their hand for the first few steps down the road--' 'which is paved with good intentions. You can convince anyone...by hook or crook? The ends justify the means? That's befitting of our savior'" (Nicenza, C&D #9, 19)?
Even among his peers, Cable's plan seems very foolhardy. He cannot rationalize his actions, outside of the mantra of "the ends justify the means." Despite his removal of choice for any human being that follows his direction and brainwashing, regardless of the "good" it is doing, Cable cannot see the harm he is causing. His intentions to nudge people out of racism or greed is noble, but at what cost? If true social change can occur, it cannot be forced upon those who truly seek a better world. Through Cable's plan, there is no choice, only conformity. Cable's absolutism removes any opportunity for a better life on humanity's own terms, or through their own actions. His manipulation threatens the strength and integrity of the world as a whole by attempting to unify it.
Finally, Cable's hubris comes (literally) crashing down around him as his utopian experiment succumbs to the weight of his opposition. In his strategical planning, he couldn't fathom a being who could truly challenge his immense powers that could destroy his floating fortress. Cable's arrogance and hubris have damned all aboard his "paradise." This horrific scenario becomes apparent once the other X-men seek to bring down Cable's utopia, Providence: "--We have a problem, these gravity generators are just props.' 'Repeat that?' 'They're not doing anything, Scott. This entire time, the island has been kept afloat by Cable's telekinesis'" (Nicenza, C&D #10, 15)!!
In his arrogance to unite the world by force, Cable has reshaped the world for the greater good, by removing any semblance of free will. As soon as his sanctuary was threatened, the entire weight of his utopia fell as soon as Cable's grip did. The strength and vitality of his mental hold on the world, coupled with his absolutism through conformity, provided a true sense of peace. His boundless invasion of consciousnesses healed the world's ills, while forcing humanity to comply with a despot's warnings of a grim future ahead. Cable simply wanted to prove the could change the world by force. Cable is a clear example of absolutism at its most invasive.
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