Polymathy as a superpower?

An existential question about framing Polymathy as a superpower.

 For a superhero with a polymathic array of skills and knowledge, a compelling vulnerability would lie not in diminishing their physical strengths but in challenging the foundation of their power: their mind and its ability to process and integrate information. Here's a nuanced vulnerability tailored to such a character:

Vulnerability: Cognitive Overload Syndrome (COS)

Description: Cognitive Overload Syndrome (COS) is a unique condition that affects the superhero's brain, the primary source of their polymathic abilities. While they possess an extraordinary capacity for learning, understanding, and applying knowledge from various disciplines, COS is triggered when the hero is exposed to an overwhelming influx of information or sensory input that exceeds their exceptional processing capabilities. This could result from a villain's device, a natural phenomenon, or a side effect of their powers pushing beyond their limits.

Effects: When afflicted by COS, the superhero experiences severe cognitive dissonance, migraines, and a temporary but debilitating inability to focus or apply their knowledge effectively. Their mind becomes a battleground of conflicting ideas and thoughts, rendering them incapable of distinguishing relevant information from the irrelevant. In severe cases, it can cause temporary amnesia, erasing their ability to access specific skills or knowledge areas until they recover.

Counteraction and Recovery: The key to overcoming COS lies in mental discipline and possibly technological aids designed to filter and prioritize information processing. Meditation, cognitive exercises, or a specially designed neural dampener could help mitigate the effects, allowing the hero to regain control over their mental faculties. Recovery might also involve retreating to a sensory-deprived environment, allowing their brain to "reset" and recover from the overload.

Thought experiment: This vulnerability introduces psychological and emotional depth to the superhero's journey. It challenges a Polymath to confront the limitations of their intellect, emphasizing the need for balance between their mental and physical prowess. It also opens avenues for character development, as the hero must learn to acknowledge their limits and seek help when necessary, fostering relationships with allies who can aid in their recovery or protect them during periods of weakness.

COS serves as a dramatic foil to the superhero's capabilities and a reminder that the greatest strength can also be an Achilles' heel, pushing the narrative beyond physical battles into internal struggles and the pursuit of mental resilience.

One might ask. Why define it as a superpower at all?