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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Titan in the Playground
     
    DrowGuy

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    Default What's A Hero Means To You?

    In your own definition, what's a hero means to you? To me, is to be heroic and be a good Samaritan.

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    Ettin in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    A hero is someone you admire, look up to, and want to emulate.

    That's the essence. Everything else is accidental. Whether they are good or bad, real or imaginary, tough or gentle, fearless or smart - all of that is completely up to you.
    "None of us likes to be hated, none of us likes to be shunned. A natural result of these conditions is, that we consciously or unconsciously pay more attention to tuning our opinions to our neighbor’s pitch and preserving his approval than we do to examining the opinions searchingly and seeing to it that they are right and sound." - Mark Twain

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    Asmotherion's Avatar

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    A Role Model.

    Someone that is Brave. Not afraid to express their oppinion even when in minority but will also respect other's oppinions or at least their right to express them. Someone who protects his country/family and friends. Not prone to violance but won't shy away from it if there's no other way. A charismatic personality with the ability to have other people follow his vision. Will believe in a just cause strongly enough and wiling to put themselves in dire situations for it. Has a personal moral code not necesseraly imposed by society and will stay true to his ethics no matter the cost. Has the ability to relax and has humor even under stress. Activelly contributes to major events in society or at least intends to do so.

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    Fyraltari's Avatar

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Someone who does the right thing regardless of personal cost.
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    ElfRangerGuy

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bartmanhomer View Post
    In your own definition, what's a hero means to you? To me, is to be heroic and be a good Samaritan.
    You can't define a hero by saying "someone who is heroic". That's a tautology. Why don't you try actually describing the individual qualities you think are essential for someone to be called a hero?

    I'll go first.

    To me, a hero is someone who has some amount of these 4 qualities: selfless, brave, dedicated, and steadfast. A hero needs to put the needs of others before their own the majority of the time, even sometimes risking their own life or safety to help or protect someone else. They need to be able to conquer their own fears and operate in a calm manner in dangerous situations. They need to show up when there's a problem, and they need to stick with the job of helping people over the long term and not just when they feel like it. And most importantly, they need to be able to get back up when things are bad and keep going when all seems lost.

    They never give up, never surrender. They try to make a difference, even if they don't always succeed. They don't need to be infallible, just always do their best. They always try to do what is right because they have a higher calling to serve justice or protect the weak or heal the sick and injured.

    A hero doesn't have to be nice, but they are always good.

    That's what a hero is to me.
    "Nothing you can't spell will ever work." - Will Rogers

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    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Well I just read Watchmen so...

    -a murderer/vigilante
    -a war criminal/murderer
    -a naked person with the power of a god that's just a puppet
    -a person who can only have intimate relations dressed in a costume
    -someone who destroys half a city

    ......I think I need to rethink everything.

  7. - Top - End - #7
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    ElfRangerGuy

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Hat View Post
    Well I just read Watchmen so...

    -a murderer/vigilante
    -a war criminal/murderer
    -a naked person with the power of a god that's just a puppet
    -a person who can only have intimate relations dressed in a costume
    -someone who destroys half a city

    ......I think I need to rethink everything.
    Yeah, maybe....

    I admit I haven't read Watchmen, but the movie didn't make me think any of the characters were really heroes, and I think that's sort of the point. It's a darker, more real view of what "super hero" vigilantes might be like when idealism is removed from the equation.

    I mean, that's like how you shouldn't base your conception of heroism off of the Punisher....
    "Nothing you can't spell will ever work." - Will Rogers

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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    Kobold

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Y'all are getting very specific about the qualification for heroism...

    I think there are many ways to be a hero. It doesn't have to involve physical courage, it doesn't preclude ever giving up, a hero doesn't need to be charismatic or strong or witty or even particularly good. They just have to do something good, at some significant cost to themselves.

    A doctor who gives up a promising specialism to go work with refugees or the homeless. A scientist who insists on publishing a result that embarrasses their own sponsor. A politician who sacrifices their career to make a stand for something they believe in, or an entertainer who speaks out even at the cost of alienating their own fans. These are all instances of heroism.

    I don't believe in heroes. Heroes will always let you down in the end. But I believe in heroism. It's a mantle that anyone can take up sometimes. Just... Remember to put it down again, or it will drive you insane.
    "None of us likes to be hated, none of us likes to be shunned. A natural result of these conditions is, that we consciously or unconsciously pay more attention to tuning our opinions to our neighbor’s pitch and preserving his approval than we do to examining the opinions searchingly and seeing to it that they are right and sound." - Mark Twain

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by KillianHawkeye View Post
    Yeah, maybe....

    I admit I haven't read Watchmen, but the movie didn't make me think any of the characters were really heroes, and I think that's sort of the point. It's a darker, more real view of what "super hero" vigilantes might be like when idealism is removed from the equation.

    I mean, that's like how you shouldn't base your conception of heroism off of the Punisher....
    And there's your problem. My advise: stay far away from anything relating to Zack Snyder unless it involves a half-naked Scottish Spartan fighting Persians.

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    Aedilred's Avatar

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Someone who lives and fights (and usually dies) in pursuit of honour.

    Committal of hubris is not an automatic disqualification, but it should be avoided as far as possible.
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    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Aedilred View Post
    Someone who lives and fights (and usually dies) in pursuit of honour.
    "There is no shame in dying for nothing. That's why most people die."
    I wonder how many people will actually fact check this reference.
    -Ray Bradbury

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    Eldritch Horror in the Playground Moderator
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Hat View Post
    "There is no shame in dying for nothing. That's why most people die."

    -Ray Bradbury
    "87% of all quotes you see on the Internet are made up." - Abraham Lincoln
    Last edited by The Glyphstone; 2019-08-31 at 07:17 PM.

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    Ettin in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Aedilred View Post
    Someone who lives and fights (and usually dies) in pursuit of honour.

    Committal of hubris is not an automatic disqualification, but it should be avoided as far as possible.
    I don't think that hubris should necessarily be factored in unless it actually impacts the heroic action. Like if your vainglory causes you to risks others as well as yourself... then you should be concerned about it, but not otherwise.

    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Hat View Post
    "There is no shame in dying for nothing. That's why most people die."
    I wonder how many people will actually fact check this reference.
    -Ray Bradbury
    I'm not sure it matters too much in the end. It's not like Bradbury was a particular expert on either death or heroism, and as such putting him as the originator doesn't add extra validity to the quote, it'll just confuse historians later.
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  14. - Top - End - #14
    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by The Glyphstone View Post
    "87% of all quotes you see on the Internet are made up." - Abraham Lincoln
    What a brilliant man! Truly ahead of his time!

    Quote Originally Posted by AMFV View Post
    I'm not sure it matters too much in the end. It's not like Bradbury was a particular expert on either death or heroism, and as such putting him as the originator doesn't add extra validity to the quote, it'll just confuse historians later.
    Did anyone actually check to see where the quote did come from? Just curious. And as to why I chose Ray Bradbury I recently read Fahrenheit 451 recently and had him on my mind.
    Last edited by Magic_Hat; 2019-08-31 at 07:32 PM.

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    ElfWarriorGuy

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    A hero is one who, in the eyes of the describer, is one who does heroic acts or demonstrates heroic qualities.

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    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Isn't a hero a type of sandwich?

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    Lizardfolk

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Hat View Post
    "There is no shame in dying for nothing. That's why most people die."
    I wonder how many people will actually fact check this reference.
    -Ray Bradbury
    Isn't that a line from Bojack Horseman?

    I think a hero is someone who chooses to risk themselves for a cause that doesn't directly benefit them.
    Quote Originally Posted by The Glyphstone View Post
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    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tvtyrant View Post
    Isn't that a line from Bojack Horseman?
    Yep! Henry Winkler!

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    Ettin in the Playground
     
    Crow's Avatar

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    I don't know what makes a hero; but you know one when you see one.
    Last edited by Crow; 2019-09-03 at 01:29 AM.

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    Flumph

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    one who steps beyond the boundaries of social norms...
    by leaving the accepted the accepted zone of behavior (spiritually, physically, socially) faces challenges an comes back to share gains (wisdom most commonly but can be otherwise) with their social group.

    I may be a Campbell fan

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    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    WolfInSheepsClothing

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Fyraltari View Post
    Someone who does the right thing regardless of personal cost.
    I agree doing something without any effort is less heroic. Warren Buffet donating $100,000 to a charity might be a huge thing for the charity, but likely would likely not come at any great personal cost. Writing the check, and showing up to a fundraiser . . . that would be another level.

    -----

    [1] Someone who does the right thing at a personal cost.

    It is one thing to give a homeless man some pocket-change, but another to volunteer at a homeless shelter.

    [2] A role-model that serves as an archetype for emulation.

    My father is a great role-model is my personal hero. He is dependable. I learned a great deal from him.

    [3] Someone that positively effects others and makes them in turn better people.

    Fred Rogers and Jim Henson are good examples of those who teach morals and ethics.

    Fred Rogers - I advise you all to search for and watch a clip with Fred Rogers testifying before congress in defense of PBS. That man was a TITAN. He cut though all the politics like they were nothing. Also look up the clip where they tried to prank Fred Rogers . . . he just rolled with EVERYTHING!

    Jim Henson - He had so many moral and ethical parables. His stories were entertaining, and they taught people how to be better to each other and to themselves.

    Before Sesame Street kids would show up to their first day of school not knowing anything, and after Sesame Street things WILDLY changed.

    -----

    Daryl Davis - this African-American man talked over 200 people out of being KKK members! Wow!

    Dr. Jonas Edward Salk - gave away the Polio vaccine to the world for FREE!
    Last edited by darkrose50; 2019-09-03 at 10:57 AM.

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    A gyro is a kind of Greek sandwich meat, that gets mistaken for Hero because of mispronunciation :3

    A hero is one who is heroic. That may sound simplistic, but given how diverse and ubiquitous a "hero" is in today's literature and pop culture, that is essentially the only objective statement that can be said.

    I suppose it's kind of zen in a way.

    Quote Originally Posted by darkrose50 View Post
    Fred Rogers - I advise you all to search for and watch a clip with Fred Rogers testifying before congress in defense of PBS. That man was a TITAN. He cut though all the politics like they were nothing. Also look up the clip where they tried to prank Fred Rogers . . . he just rolled with EVERYTHING!
    Wait, Mr. Rogers? As in Mr. Rogers's Neighborhood?

    How did I enter a conversation about heroes and forget Mr. Rogers?!
    Last edited by Squire Doodad; 2019-09-07 at 05:34 PM.
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  23. - Top - End - #23
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Magic_Hat View Post
    And there's your problem. My advise: stay far away from anything relating to Zack Snyder unless it involves a half-naked Scottish Spartan fighting Persians.
    Personally, I'd include that film among those worth staying away from...

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    Zombie

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tvtyrant View Post
    I think a hero is someone who chooses to risk themselves for a cause that doesn't directly benefit them.
    I think this is perfect.

    Back in the Heroic Age of Greece being a "hero" had a lot different connotation. Hero's were special, often related to the gods and sometimes had god level powers, but were still mortal. It was their power that was important, not that they were the good guys as we see hero's today. In fact many hero's were rather nasty people or at least have very nasty sides to them. {Scrubbed}
    Last edited by truemane; 2019-09-11 at 05:39 PM.
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  25. - Top - End - #25
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by HandofShadows View Post
    {Scrub the post, scrub the quote}
    {Scrubbed}

    But yes, fair to say in general about Greek Heroes that they were often deeply flawed people. {Scrubbed}
    Last edited by flat_footed; 2019-09-30 at 11:03 PM.

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    The Fury's Avatar

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by Squire Doodad View Post
    Wait, Mr. Rogers? As in Mr. Rogers's Neighborhood?

    How did I enter a conversation about heroes and forget Mr. Rogers?!
    Oh yeah. Mr. Rogers is definitely a hero of mine. Honestly, it's hard to examine the man and his work and not feel a little better about... well, everything. Just looking at why people call Mr. Rogers a hero, really because he was so unfailingly kind and always saw the best in people. Maybe these are qualities that we value more than we let on. If I may get personal for a moment.

    It's not a secret that I suffer from anxiety and depression. Though I don't think I ever mentioned that I have since grade school. During those years I was told that I needed to "shape up," and "behave." I mostly did, and got pretty good at stuffing my feelings down to fester into a mental illness. Even then, it was nice to have someone tell me that it was OK for me to be the way I was, to tell me that it was OK to have feelings. On some level, I really needed to hear that and it may have saved my life.

    Bob Ross is another hero of mine. Honestly, after revisiting his show, he's actually better than I remember. From adding another "happy little tree" because everyone should have a friend to his warm and gently encouraging demeanor, he's another kind figure. That gently encouraging aspect is the heroic side to Bob Ross-- you should believe in yourself because Bob Ross believes in you.
    Last edited by The Fury; 2019-09-18 at 02:13 PM.

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    Halfling in the Playground
     
    Flumph

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    I once had to write an essay about our hero, how they affect us, and what it means to be a hero. I ended up writing a 5 page essay (the minimum was 2) about how I have never really had a hero and that the only real comparisons to heros we have are all fictional. So I ultimately said that no one is truly a hero unless they don't exist irl.

    My teacher at least thought it was quite different but I still sucked at writing and got a C-

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by The Fury View Post
    Oh yeah. Mr. Rogers is definitely a hero of mine. Honestly, it's hard to examine the man and his work and not feel a little better about... well, everything. Just looking at why people call Mr. Rogers a hero, really because he was so unfailingly kind and always saw the best in people. Maybe these are qualities that we value more than we let on. If I may get personal for a moment.

    It's not a secret that I suffer from anxiety and depression. Though I don't think I ever mentioned that I have since grade school. During those years I was told that I needed to "shape up," and "behave." I mostly did, and got pretty good at stuffing my feelings down to fester into a mental illness. Even then, it was nice to have someone tell me that it was OK for me to be the way I was, to tell me that it was OK to have feelings. On some level, I really needed to hear that and it may have saved my life.

    Bob Ross is another hero of mine. Honestly, after revisiting his show, he's actually better than I remember. From adding another "happy little tree" because everyone should have a friend to his warm and gently encouraging demeanor, he's another kind figure. That gently encouraging aspect is the heroic side to Bob Ross-- you should believe in yourself because Bob Ross believes in you.
    So...Bill Nye. If you think about it, he's a person who has taken a bachelor's degree in engineering, then turned around and said "hi, let's go teach kids science for an act" and wound up basically revolutionizing the average person's view of science (because all the people who grew up watching his show when it came out are now adults) because of what he has done. Sure, a lot of it was corny, and some parts were more wacky than particularly scientific, but that's probably the allure and why it was so good. He's done a lot of stuff that has had an amazing impact on the world in a way that no amount of educational legislature could accomplish (well, except for "let's add 3 billion dollars to the educational budget and do huge student loan reform" but that's a different issue).
    Last edited by Squire Doodad; 2019-09-25 at 08:08 PM.
    An explanation of why MitD being any larger than Huge is implausible.

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    Purple is humorous descriptions made up on the fly
    Green is serious talk about hypothetical
    Blue is irony and sarcasm


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    I joke, therefore I meme."
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    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    SolithKnightGuy

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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Someone who shows LDRSHIP

    Loyalty - Bear true faith and allegiance to a cause and those who seek the same ends

    Duty - Fulfill your obligations.

    Respect - Treat people as they should be treated.

    Selfless Service - Put the welfare of others before your own.

    Honor - Living the whole acronym.

    Integrity - Do what’s right, legally and morally.

    Personal Courage - Face fear, danger, or adversity [physical or moral].


    (The Army Values, great guidepost in life)

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    Barbarian in the Playground
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    Default Re: What's A Hero Means To You?

    Quote Originally Posted by OnceUponAnAxe View Post
    Someone who shows LDRSHIP

    Loyalty - Bear true faith and allegiance to a cause and those who seek the same ends

    Duty - Fulfill your obligations.

    Respect - Treat people as they should be treated.

    Selfless Service - Put the welfare of others before your own.

    Honor - Living the whole acronym.

    Integrity - Do what’s right, legally and morally.

    Personal Courage - Face fear, danger, or adversity [physical or moral].


    (The Army Values, great guidepost in life)
    Fearless
    Authentic
    Responsible
    True


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