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

text

[superposition]

Good heavens, there are a lot of opinions on this, aren't there?

text

[mathemagier]

Far more than I expected.

Also if Newton asks, we're involved in a lengthy discussion about the technical specifics of automotives.

[superposition]

To be honest, I'm not sure why you've filtered this from him? Other than to keep him from butting in everywhere, I suppose. But, if you say so.

I think the title's basically immaterial, personally. Because it's so subjective (as is amply demonstrated above), it's impossible to be a hero to everyone.

[mathemagier]

It has to do with him, in a sense. I'm already aware of his point of view. I don't need him harassing everyone with it.

And while it is highly subjective in definition, there do seem to be some very similar lines of thought.

[superposition]

Fair enough.

Right, right. Sacrifice, selflessness, responsibility, everyday courage... things that inspire others. If you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have defined it as that last one. Heroes inspire hope, villains inspire fear and despair. But it's not so cut and dry as that, is it? It's entirely possible for the same person to do both.

[mathemagier]

Yes, I suppose that's true enough. There will be no blanket definition, or one trait that's truly definitive when there's such a broad spectrum, but I have a better grasp on it now at least. Newton will be pleased.

[superposition]

Speaking of, what is his point of view on this? Color me curious.

private text;

[mathemagier]

Newton...

He seems to hold a rather similar ideal of me. He was very adamant about it, actually. I didn't know what to think. I'm still not sure. But the scales are tipping in his favor.

private text;

[superposition]

[Okay he is amused. You would, Newton.]

Well, the two of you were instrumental in saving the world. Not to say you should let it go to your heads too much, but that's something worth being proud of.

private text;

[mathemagier]

Yes, it is. But everyone in that Shatterdome was instrumental in their own way. Perhaps that makes all of us heroes to an extent.

private text;

[superposition]

Perhaps it does. [It totally does.]

private text;

[mathemagier]

But I don't know if that remains true here, as neither of us have done anything of note so far. At the moment, I'd say it's even unlikely.

private text;

[superposition]

Switching worlds doesn't invalidate what you've already accomplished. People here may not find it relevant to their experience, true, but it still happened.

private text;

[mathemagier]

I suppose saving the world does have a certain ring to it, even if it's not this one.