I just read an interesting and somewhat disturbing study. It concerned the attitude of people who identify with the comic book character SUPERMAN when they think of heroes. The study revealed that these people are least likely to help others in need--whether taking action when confronted with an emergency or accident, or by volunteering to help in the community. The reason given was that fans of the Man of Steel have such a extreme notion of the measure of a hero, that they know they can never live up to that standard--essentially, they know that they can never be Superman, so why even try?

I daresay most people here identify with a different hero, but I'm curious to know if anyone has ever thought about it in those terms. Would you say that you try to emulate the character traits of Dirk Pitt, or whomever you think of when thinking about heroes? Or do you feel like Clive has set the bar unreachably high?

I'd love to hear some chatter on this, in between trivia games.

That is disturbing, to think that somebody thinks they are not able to help someone just because they aren't 'superman' is crazy to me.

my definition of a hero is someone who trys,regardless if its to help by being a big brother or sister or as high as say Dirk Pitt.

It always gives me a warm feeling in my heart when i hear stories of others who help those in need. w: As for myself i have helped my grandma and mom with things since i have been on my own. :)

You don't have to be a super hero to help someone. Any small act can be as important to a person as a VERY large act that fictional super heros perform. Where would the human race be without kindess and consideration to other people. It should be a way of life for all of us. Do one good thing every day and you will feel good about yourself when your day is done. w:

Sometimes a small act can have large results. Be a hero in your own neighborhood. A considerate act is not forgotten.

At the risk of pissing in the punchbowl, I'd like to clarify something about heroism.

Webster's defines the word as:

Considerate acts, kindness, helping relative, friends and strangers--those are admirable things and everyone ought to be doing them for no reason other than the simple goodness of their own heart...
But it does not a hero make.

The definition of hero implies putting one's own safety at risk for the sake of another person or a greater good. It is the fireman who risks his life (whether in the moment, or in the long range--firefighters have an unusually high rate of cancer from constant exposure to toxic substances released when a building burns.) It is the police officer who must run after the malcontent with the gun, while everyone else runs away. And yes, whether you support war or not, it is the soldier who risks his life to save his buddies, or win the battle. Not all of the people who wear those uniforms will demonstrate heroism, just as not all of the people who demonstrate heroism will wear a uniform. Anyone who risks their life to help someone--the person who steps in to stop a fight, or prevent an abusive husband from harming his wife, the person who jumps in to save the drowning vicitim, or who exposes a criminal--these people are all heroes.

Making sure that an elderly person doesn't get lost in the shuffle, mentoring a child, or whatever--those are good and commendable acts--but they don't fall under the heading of heroism. But to take this a step further, not all heroes will show compassion or neighborliness.

It's apples and oranges. The ideal person will of course do both, the average person will do neither.

Fictional heroes give us something to aspire to, but of course they aren't really risking their lives. What that study demonstrated to me is that the type of hero people identify with, often affects the degree to which they will try to demonstrate the afforementioned qualities.

Sorry to get so bombastic about this, but heroism is something I hold in high regard, and I feel like our common usage of the word has diluted its potency. Love your brother, love your neighbor, love a stranger...but also be a hero!

Very well put, Nick! th:

Yes, very well put. th:

A hero is an ordinary peron who takes some selfless extraordinary action, probably without really thinking about it ... something like that ...

In this day and age of celebrities there are no heroes anymore except for those who have the big heart to help others out. That is a sure sign of a giving heart. w: