posted August 01, 2013 10:36 PM            

"That's the most worthless idea ever; go become an hero."

posted August 01, 2013 11:08 PM            

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted August 02, 2013 12:45 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
People often equate heroism with firefighters and other types like that, and while I do agree, I also think many people are unsung heroes--people that help others with no fanfare or publicity...or even anonymously. I also think many mothers fit that criteria, as they often sacrifice themselves and their dreams for their children.

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Earlier today I got into a real life conversation on this...about how I've never seen a poster of people who volunteer their time and risk their lives to bring free medical care to people who desperately need it, while jocks, stars, action heroes, and even violent video games ARE popular poster material.

And then there's a NY Pizza place I've eaten at, and to brag of NY they have pix of athletes and mobsters (that is pimps, drug dealers, thieves, and murderers), but not any of say scientists or artists or even the firefighters on the scene after 9/11 to show resilience. And it's so normal I was just glad they didn't have NY serial killers honored as well.

So what's a hero? Obviously that depends on the person. I think the majority of people hold some people to be heroes whom I'd consider perhaps notable but not particularly heroic, and others who are in my book outright villains (OTOH, I've supported some villains myself, though not for the usual reasons, and I'm aware plenty of my choices would be considered controversial even if not villainous).

posted August 02, 2013 03:43 AM            

(music) Hero (Mariah Carey) Lyrics [4:19] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFfXTwdVbY

There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are

There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

[CHORUS] And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fear aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within your self
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

[chorus]

Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time you'll find the way

Then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fear aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you

posted August 02, 2013 07:18 AM            

.A young Marine is showing us that nice guys really do finish last.

While running in The Jeff Drench Memorial 5K in Charlevoix, Mich., Lance Cpl. Myles Kerr stopped to help out a young boy struggling to finish the race. Kerr, 19, put aside his ambition to beat his fellow Marines and instead helped motivate 9 year-old Brandon Fuchs, who lost his party during the race, to make it to the finish line.

According to the 5K results online, the Marine ended up with the slowest time in his age group.

Now, thousands of social media users are now celebrating his act of kindness after Seals Of Honor, a Facebook group commemorating the life of Navy Lt. Michael P. Murphy who died fighting in Afghanistan, posted a photo of Kerr and Fuchs running together.

Semper Fi!

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posted August 03, 2013 12:47 AM            

I'm going to bring this up with a couple of people IRL who I know will have more to say on it! I may or may not share afterward depending on how interesting I think others here may find it.

posted August 03, 2013 12:58 AM            

And hero status being entirely dependent on others views, even the most noble of actions can be misconstrued to turn heroism into villainy, and villainy into heroism.

posted August 03, 2013 02:37 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Padre35:

I believe no one can "be" a hero, as that is something others put upon them.

And hero status being entirely dependent on others views, even the most noble of actions can be misconstrued to turn heroism into villainy, and villainy into heroism.

Which would mean a "hero" just goes about whatever it is they do and let others debate what it all means.

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I was actually going to put this instead of what I did end up writing.

Being anything depends on someone calling you that. You can be a hero if you just decide that your acts are heroic.

posted August 03, 2013 04:03 AM            

'In the life destined for the hero, the historical and the symbolic are one and the same thing. The first object of the hero is to conquer himself. ... '

'There is the struggle with the material outside enemies,... and the combat with the spiritual enemies inside the personality.'

I love the story and quest of the character "Don Quixote," a knight-errant....

No matter how confusing or deluded his outer life was, what counted at the very end was that he had stirred the 'possibilities' and nudged the 'potentials' in each life he touched, wherever he met them. His spirit changed the inner and outer atmospheres of individuals and the community. He died having left them with the awakening and 'feeling' that they had a purpose; that they were restored to dignity; that they had that 'ineffable-something' inside to point their direction towards something better-- He moved their collective lives forward with a more focused meaning...

"The Mission and Duty of Each True Knight..."

(clip.music) The Impossible Dream (Man of La Mancha, 1972) [8:51]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfHnzYEHAow&NR=1&feature=endscreen

(Long clip is Music, then the "death-bed scene" SUMMATION with 'Dulcinea' reviving him... It's really really worth seeing this to the end of the clip... )

LYRICS

"The Impossible Dream"
from MAN OF LA MANCHA (1972)
music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

posted August 03, 2013 06:33 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by mirage29:

"The Mission and Duty of Each True Knight..."

(clip.music) The Impossible Dream (Man of La Mancha, 1972) [8:51]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfHnzYEHAow&NR=1&feature=endscreen

(Long clip is Music, then the "death-bed scene" SUMMATION with 'Dulcinea' reviving him... It's really really worth seeing this to the end of the clip... )

LYRICS

"The Impossible Dream"
from MAN OF LA MANCHA (1972)
music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/O%27Toole/impossibledream-lyrics.htm

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posted August 03, 2013 08:32 AM            

If someone needs social approval to act, he will never be a hero.

However, the hard part is that we all need social approval. That is why being a hero is so rare.

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted August 03, 2013 12:18 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
To be aware of the risks/ dangers/unpleasant consequences of a certain action, and STILL going in there and doing it anyway, in order to protect people/animals/environment and/ or preventing harm from happening.

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posted August 03, 2013 12:22 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
I think a hero is someone who puts others before himself/herself and someone who gives selflessly with no expectation of receiving anything in return. What's your idea of a hero?

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Someone who risks his life to save a dog comes to mind.

posted August 03, 2013 01:17 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
Those are definitely heroes in my book.

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posted August 04, 2013 09:07 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
Anyone see that Firefly ep on heroes? I LOVED that song about the amoral Jayne sung of as a hero!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4oYX3oPB4o

"It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of him was one kind of *** or another. Ain't about you, Jayne. It's about what they need."

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posted August 04, 2013 09:28 AM            

Not letting it harm their life but gives them the power to help others and to make a difference for the positive in life.

posted August 04, 2013 10:07 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
Anyone see that Firefly ep on heroes? I LOVED that song about the amoral Jayne sung of as a hero!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4oYX3oPB4o

"It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of him was one kind of *** or another. Ain't about you, Jayne. It's about what they need."

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This thread brings up a point I've never thought of before: Heroes require an audience.
That is, in order for something to be defined as "heroid", it requires definition outside of itself.