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

[incendere]

While it's true that the qualities you listed are generally thought of as heroic traits, what qualifies a person as a "hero" would depend on who you ask. I doubt there are many here who would actually identify themselves as one, even if others believed it to be the case.

[mathemagier]

Yes, that has been my experience with it so far. An unexpected bit of overarching data.

[incendere]

Unexpected, huh? What exactly were you expecting the results to be, then?

[mathemagier]

With the superpowers granted to those that arrive here, and a good number of them that already possessed those abilities beforehand, it's reminded me of comics and movies from my world, where there's much more ego involved than I've witnessed here.

[incendere]

[That gets a small chuckle, even if it can't be heard.]

Well, I suppose that would depend on the person as well.

Though, that may have to do with the fact that the definition of what it means to be a hero here differs from some of the ones you provided, or what is usually expected. After all, not everyone who was brought here has experience or an interest in being a part of their war.

[Even if they've been in one before]

[mathemagier]

Yes. I don't imagine this world's war is the reason we've been brought here, if one exists.

[incendere]

If that's the case, they have an interesting way of denying it.

[Asking for volunteers to help at the border? The mission in Alaska so many months ago? They didn't seem to mind gaining aide in this war.]

What makes you think aiding them isn't why we were brought here?

[mathemagier]

Oh, they're most certainly taking advantage of the situation, I've no doubt of that.

But every one of us is a security risk. Perhaps they have nullifiers, but it would not take a direct assault to collapse the US military if anyone was truly inclined.

Now I do believe we likely are here for a reason, but it's on a grander scale than the ancient ideological war that's being fought now.