Superman

I have already waxed philosophical on the puzzling question of why awesome Superman needs Clark Kent (because he can't be a true hero without maintaining humility), but the less obvious riddle is why a nice, normal fellow like Clark Kent bothers being Superman.

When I was young and naive, I used to read Superman comic books. Now I mostly go for the exotic and erotic stuff, but Superman was a good appetizer. I mean, a guy who wears tights, has a dope crib and two girlfriends to enjoy it with.... come on! Tell me that's not a lead-in to the freaky stuff!

Anyway, it used to perplex me why Superman needed to front as Clark Kent. You've got this alien with superpowers, and he has to act like this bumbling nerd? That makes no sense at all. Why can't he just be what he really is, i.e., Superman?