in

Tech Wiz on Heros…

I think about heroes from time to time. In part because my heroes change over time. When I was nine years old, Thomas Jefferson was my hero. When I learned more about him, he was my hero when I was 15. When I finally learned the full story, he was no longer my hero. My grandfather and father were my heroes and still are, but that is more normal I suspect. Robert Montgomery Knight remains a hero. I felt like he was an incredible coach and he remains a pretty good person. I do not, since wandering away from Jefferson often select heroes from the world of politics. I do, however, personally find the behavior, actions, and presence of Barack Obama to be another hero in recent years.

That got me thinking, what is a hero? Bill Gates is and was a hero of mine for many years. His willingness to do the right things is something that I have found impressive over the years.  I do also have heroes from the world of sports as well. Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg is former Cubs players that I have long admired. Walter Payton is my all time favorite professional football player. Payton is also a hero of mine because of who and what he was as a person.

What is a hero? Someone that is exceptional or someone that behaves exceptionally? I find both to be true, but the latter is always the critical one for me. Jefferson didn’t behave well in the last few years of his life. Based on that he slipped from my hero garden. I haven’t really replaced Jefferson with another of the first US leaders, many of them had honor, but most of them also had a few warts.

The reality of heroes is they have to live up to your expectation.

Report

What do you think?

Written by DocAndersen

One fan, One team and a long time dream Go Cubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

33 Comments

      • And thus serve as better examples. Much better than the wife beating, steroid taking, self aggrandizing sociopaths that generally pass for heroes these days

        1
        • The problem with idealizing anyone, even heroes that do not walk the earth, is we don’t allow them to be human. Overcoming where you are can be a heroic act. The measure of a hero shouldn’t be athletic prowess. It should be the actions they undertake to leave the world a better place.

          1
          • I agree with you entirely. However, true mythological figures aren’t meant to be human so much as examples…

            But only recognizing the least of achievements as heroic demonstrates simplicity in the beholder

            1
          • My understanding of heroes is that the state is largely unattainable, but we are only meant to strive for it. One of those “the journey is more important than the destination” type deals…

            1
  1. I have shared an article about Thomas Jefferson , I would recommend you to read it since he was your hero in the past. You may find something special in it and it may surprise you.

    1