text; filtered away from Newton Geiszler

[mathemagier]

Hero
[heer-oh]

noun, plural heroes;

1. a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.

There are a great many heroic types among the imPort population, and this is probably a rather tired question, but indulge my curiosity if you would.

What is it the elevates a person from simply well-intentioned, to someone worthy of such a distinguished title?

Deeds? Bravery? Strength? Capability? Righteousness? Nobility? All of the above, or some combination thereof?

Or is it simply that there's one person in the world that believes it?

Comments

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[youbastard]

I think the big difference is intention. A hero doesn't expect anything from what they're doing. Some of them even go into a situation expecting the opposite of praise but they do it anyway because it's what has to be done.

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[mathemagier]

Taking the ego out of their accomplishments, that seems fair. I've admired many people like that in recent years.

[youbastard]

I think that's what sets them apart. There are other things I'm sure but that's the big thing I have seen. It's subjective though. I've met a few people that would be considered heroes by most but they were only doing it for the title. Does that really make them one?

[mathemagier]

Not properly, perhaps. It means you care for yourself more than those you're assisting. Not exactly a noble quality.

[youbastard]

Exactly. It's the opposite of noble, so maybe that's a good measure. Do you mind if I ask if anything specific made you think about this line of questioning?

[mathemagier]

A friend of mine mentioned it. I didn't entirely agree with his assessment, but it was a difficult subject to debate.

[youbastard]

What was his assessment?

[mathemagier]

He believed that a scientist could be a hero.

[youbastard]

They can be. I've seen scientists I'd consider heroes.

[mathemagier]

What sort of things did they accomplish, if you don't mind my asking?

[youbastard]

They survived, which was more than a lot of people could say and then they stepped up and joined my team. Without their help I wouldn't have been able to figure out how to potentially stop the necromorphs.

[mathemagier]

[Well that sounds.. possibly familiar, depending on what necromorphs are]

It's not difficult to imagine why you consider them such, in that case. They sound admirable.

[youbastard]

hey were great people and true heroes. One of them did their research despite knowing that it would attract a lot of unwanted attention that would put them in danger. She didn't care though, the mission was more important.

[mathemagier]

Well according to the general consensus I seem to be getting, that does sound worthy of such a title.

[youbastard]

I think they definitely are worthy. what about you? what's your assessment of what makes or doesn't make a hero?

[mathemagier]

I didn't have a very firm stance on it when I posed the query, but I think someone that inspires is perhaps the most apt, if not infallible definition that I've heard. It encompasses a great deal, but still speaks of the greatness of someone that could inspire others to greater heights- whether that's through combat or scientific pursuits.

[youbastard]

that actually sounds like the best definition I've heard. There's actually a lot of people I know that fit that description. Inspiring others can be hard to do and it takes a special kind of person to be able to.

[mathemagier]

Yes, it certainly does. But occasionally it seems, even small gestures can be inspiring.