“Mazlan, of all the characters in the literary and cinematic universe, why would you choose someone in a wheelchair?”
That’s the first question that popped into my head. And honestly, it’s the kind of self-interrogation I often indulge in when I stumble upon a simple question with unexpectedly deep layers.
Yes. If I could be a character from a book or film, I would be Professor Charles Xavier — the founder of the X-Men, the brilliant mind behind the Cerebro machine, and the one who saw potential in those whom the world feared. Not Iron Man with his billions. Not Batman with his vengeance. Not even the charming Sherlock Holmes. But Charles Xavier, the bald telepath who sat in a wheelchair and built a school that became a sanctuary.
Let me tell you why.
The Power to Influence Minds — Not Control, But Guide
Professor X didn’t just read minds. He empathized. He understood. And he used his powers not to dominate but to educate and elevate others.
Isn’t that what I’ve been doing all my life?
When I was lecturing in universities, building IoT platforms, or even writing these articles, I was not here to force ideas. I’m here to plant seeds. Maybe even open doors that others didn’t realize existed. Much like Charles Xavier did for hiding, scared, or rejected mutants.
He never wanted them to suppress their uniqueness — he wanted them to harness it.
I thought this sounded a bit like how I feel when someone discovers the magic of IoT for the first time.
The Leader Who Built Others to Lead
Something about Charles Xavier’s leadership style has always resonated with me. He wasn’t the one on the front lines throwing punches. He was the strategist, the mentor, and the visionary who built an environment where others could thrive.
When I started FAVORIOT, I didn’t want to build a business myself. I wanted to build a platform—literally and metaphorically—a place where startups, students, and developers could create, innovate, and solve real-world problems using IoT.
That dream wasn’t just about tech. It was about empowerment.
Like the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, FAVORIOT became a space for hidden talents to shine. Not everyone sees themselves as a hero, but with the proper guidance, they could become one.
Yes, Xavier didn’t fight every battle but enabled others to win wars.
Living with Limitations, Thriving Despite Them
Let’s talk about the wheelchair. It’s not a weakness. It’s a symbol. Of resilience. Of a man who, despite his physical limitations, carried the weight of the world’s rejected children on his shoulders.
“Would you really choose a character who’s paralyzed?”
Yes. Because strength isn’t in the limbs — it’s in the will.
I’ve also faced moments where I felt limited. Whether by corporate bureaucracy, academic red tape, or just plain disbelief from others who didn’t see the future I saw, there were many days when it felt like I was rolling uphill. But I kept moving forward.
I learned to surround myself with others who believed in the mission — just like Xavier did.
The Struggle Between Hope and Realism
What makes Xavier compelling is his constant moral dilemma. He believes in peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans. But he also knows that the world isn’t always ready to change. His long-time friend-turned-nemesis, Magneto, is a living reminder of what happens when hope turns into cynicism.
Have I ever been Magneto? I ask myself.
Maybe. In the moments when I felt the system failed us—when smart city projects were abandoned halfway or when innovation was stifled by bureaucracy—I felt rage, but I always pulled myself back.
Because I still believe in dialogue over domination and in partnerships over power plays.
Xavier always believed people could change. And so do I.
The Legacy of a Teacher
If there’s one thing that makes Xavier immortal, it’s not his telepathy. It’s his students. Cyclops. Jean Grey. Storm. Wolverine. Nightcrawler. Every one of them carried a piece of him, not just in their tactics, but in their principles.
I remember my students, too—the ones who now work in top tech firms, the ones who built startups, and the ones who still message me to say, “Dr. Mazlan, your IoT class changed my life.”
Isn’t that what every teacher lives for?
A legacy not built with bricks or code but with minds inspired and hearts ignited.
Why Not Someone Else?
I could’ve picked Tony Stark — he’s got the gadgets and flair. Or maybe Bruce Wayne — the detective with a moral code. Or even Gandalf, with his wisdom and beard.
But they didn’t build people. They didn’t create platforms that empowered others to grow beyond their shadows.
Charles Xavier did.
And that’s what I want to be remembered for.
A Fictional Character with a Real-World Impact
Do you know what’s funny? Charles Xavier might be fictional, but his spirit lives in every mentor, every teacher, every visionary who sees beyond the surface.
He lives in school principals who believe in troubled students, leaders who nurture instead of command, engineers who share knowledge freely, and writers who plant thoughts like time bombs in the reader’s mind.
Maybe even in me.
Final Thoughts from the Cerebro Room
If I had Cerebro, I wouldn’t use it to invade minds. I’d use it to listen.
I want to find the girl in Penang who wants to solve traffic with smart sensors but doesn’t know where to start.
I want to find the boy in Johor who thinks coding is challenging but could build the next big IoT solution with a little nudge.
To amplify the unheard and guide the uncertain.
That’s the Professor X I admire.
That’s the character I’d choose to be.
Not because he’s the most powerful.
But because he made others powerful.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 