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

[acclimatized]

It's difficult to say, but I'm going for the latter. Heroes can have none of those traits and still be considered a hero by the people who care about them.

[mathemagier]

Does that simply mean they're biased?

[acclimatized]

Not necessarily. It could count for people you don't even know too. These "have-a-go-heroes" and what not.

[mathemagier]

Yes, there do seem to be a lot of those. And then there's the native population that insists on such in regards to the imPort community.

[acclimatized]

To be hones, I think they would quickly change their mind if they had access to this network. And I don't know about anyone else, but I usually try and keep my head down.

[mathemagier]

Entirely possible. But it does help when you look nothing like the heroic type. Of course, it can also a fair bit concerning where the majority of imPorts seem like highly capable and inherently unpredictable individuals in comparison.

[acclimatized]

Well, there are always a couple of bad eggs in every lot. In my experience, they tend to burn out pretty fast. They either get ported out, arrested, or go into hiding.

[mathemagier]

It sounds as though you've been here for some time.

[acclimatized]

Far too long. Two years in February.

[mathemagier]

I can't imagine.

[he kind of can actually, but the scale is a bit more profound.]

Though there are some that may consider this world an improvement for many reasons, I suppose.

1/2

[acclimatized]

Compared to others, it really isn't that bad.

[acclimatized]

Wow, that is a sentence I never thought that I would type.

How long have you been here?

[mathemagier]

I suppose that's likely true enough.

I was brought here on August 4th of this year.

[acclimatized]

Right, only a few months then.

How are you finding it so far?

[mathemagier]

Yes, not long. But it seems only two weeks were enough to understand that discretion is the better part of valour here. We've since been very cautious.

[acclimatized]

That's a wise decision. You say "we" -- did you arrive with someone else?

[mathemagier]

Ah yes, a colleague of mine. A brilliant man, if endlessly vexing.

[acclimatized]

That sounds familiar. What's his name?

[mathemagier]

Dr. Newton Geiszler, although he prefers 'Newt' and regularly fails to introduce himself properly. Have you met him?

[Kind of feeling sorry for you if you have]

[acclimatized]

Nope, can't say that I have.

[mathemagier]

That's something of a relief, then. He doesn't tend to get on with most at first impression.