SoulPancake / Conversations / What makes a hero, a hero?

Jump into a Conversation about Life's' Big Questions

Free2bBrie

- 2 years ago

Feature
0
Like
Follow

What makes a hero, a hero?

We've all probably been asked the question, "Who's your hero?" The answer is typically, "my mom" or "the soldiers fighting abroad" or "Gandhi," but what exactly is the criteria for heroism? What makes someone who is an average joe to most people, exceptional to others? Why are some people almost universally respected as heroes? What pushes someone from being a regular person into someone to be admired? You tell me.

Recent Discussed Liked

First level responses second level responses

@free2bbrie honesty empathy respect openmindedness.

When I read this question, I thought of Captain "Sully" Sullenberger....pilot of the jet forced to land in the Hudson River, saving all crew and passengers. But, is he a hero, or a man, well trained to make the best outcome of his position as pilot?

Several years ago, in Cincinnati a guy called up several spots around the city (including police HQ) and said:

"There's a bomb in there..."

They would evacuate the places and do a complete search.

The police enlisted the local news channels for their help in caching this person and they played his clip several times over and over and offered a reward for his apprehension.

it sounded like the guy was holding in pot smoke in his lungs and you could hear a bit of laughter at the tail end of his threat... Instantly, I thought it was probably someone I knew, and it still might be, I dont know.

But the guy was NEVER caught and this story and any mention thereof has been taken off all local news websites since then.

This guy, whoever he is, is ONE of my hero's.

Im not sure what criteria any of this meets, because I will admit, his act was criminal (by societys definitions) but anyway, I admire this guy.

courage to act, a heart to see with, doing what is needed without thinking, finding what your hands find to do, and doing it, and of course living.

and Lady Bird Johnson.

For me, a hero is:

Someone who has overcome their personal failings to achieve their personal desires. Someone who gives of themselves for the sake of others while maintain their personal esteem, integrity, and self-respect.

I would say that any move that puts the well-being of another over your own, could qualify as "heroic". It's an accepting (sublimating?) of perceived risk to self in order to reach out to another in a dire situation.

A definition, I'm aware, could put the guy with the red cape out of the hero biz -- as there is rarely any "risk to self" if self is invulnerable.

Any persons, real or fictional, who do what you are afraid to do risking themselves in any form for the greater good.

Rare acts of personal courage.

I don't know what others may use to qualify "hero", but to me, it's someone who speaks to me without ever addressing me directly, or meeting me, or knowing I exist. My hero was Barbara Jordan, who, to me, was the perfect "who should be the first woman President?" and "who should be the first black President?". A brilliant woman who was never blinded by the political side of politics; a marvelous, intelligent speaker; a great teacher; and a superlative human being. When I told my father he had been supplanted as my A#1 hero, and who had supplanted him, he responded, "Good choice. Not hurting my feelings a bit."

if you think about it; you will know that all heroism starts when one person goes against what we label as normal.. its knowing how to go against the wind.. to follow the river ...

@Free2bBrie Iowa

Follow Message

More Conversations from Free2bBrie

Is there ever a time when it's wrong to tell someone you love them? 16 Responses If you could say anything to anyone with no consequences, what would it be? 12 Responses How do you deal with people who drive you crazy? 23 Responses Are you okay with how people will remember you? 13 Responses How are you going to kick the shit out of 2010? 9 Responses

Show More ↓

SoulPancake

Free2bBrie

What makes a hero, a hero?

DanielPotashov

@free2bbrie honesty empathy respect openmindedness.

realitycheckplease2

When I read this question, I thought of Captain "Sully" Sullenberger....pilot of the jet forced to land in the Hudson River, saving all crew and passengers. But, is he a hero, or a man, well trained to make the best outcome of his position as pilot?

ShawnAbnoxious

littlehart

courage to act, a heart to see with, doing what is needed without thinking, finding what your hands find to do, and doing it, and of course living.

PopeSkippyXVI

and Lady Bird Johnson.

Skippy

For me, a hero is:

Someone who has overcome their personal failings to achieve their personal desires. Someone who gives of themselves for the sake of others while maintain their personal esteem, integrity, and self-respect.

Griz

TGMTEL

Any persons, real or fictional, who do what you are afraid to do risking themselves in any form for the greater good.

chantarella

Rare acts of personal courage.

idamines

eclipsia

if you think about it; you will know that all heroism starts when one person goes against what we label as normal.. its knowing how to go against the wind.. to follow the river ...

What makes a hero, a hero?

@free2bbrie honesty empathy respect openmindedness.

When I read this question, I thought of Captain "Sully" Sullenberger....pilot of the jet forced to land in the Hudson River, saving all crew and passengers. But, is he a hero, or a man, well trained to make the best outcome of his position as pilot?

courage to act, a heart to see with, doing what is needed without thinking, finding what your hands find to do, and doing it, and of course living.

and Lady Bird Johnson.

For me, a hero is:Someone who has overcome their personal failings to achieve their personal desires. Someone who gives of themselves for the sake of others while maintain their personal esteem, integrity, and self-respect.

Any persons, real or fictional, who do what you are afraid to do risking themselves in any form for the greater good.

Rare acts of personal courage.

if you think about it; you will know that all heroism starts when one person goes against what we label as normal.. its knowing how to go against the wind.. to follow the river ...

What's Next?

For me, a hero is:

Someone who has overcome their personal failings to achieve their personal desires. Someone who gives of themselves for the sake of others while maintain their personal esteem, integrity, and self-respect.