Society seems obsessed with 'super-heros' but what about REAL heros? Who's picture would you hang on your wall as inspiration for your life?
3
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Toss up between Neil Degrasse Tyson and George Carlin. Ricky Gervais for caring about animals.
SheBeSecular
Level 6
June 21, 2018
1
I'm with you on Neil deGrasse Tyson but don't know anything about George Carlin and Ricky Gervais. Why are they your heros? 
There's probably no greater hero than Mr. Rodgers.
FarmerFritz52
Level 3
June 20, 2018
2
Leonardo da Vinci.
maldunc98
Level 4
June 20, 2018
2
Pure genius! So far ahead of his time; lived the life of 9 men... in his field who in this day comes even close to matching him?
@Earthling50 A genius indeed! exceptionally talented in the arts and science. To be quite honest, I'm not sure if I can think of anyone as intelligent as Leonardo. Maybe Nikola Tesla? The man spoke eight languages, had photographic memory, and created inventions without having to write them down.
@maldunc98 thank god we’ve got people like that around us - they’re like the gems of mineral world- precious rare and beautiful. ..Nikola Tesla too - genius beyond the beyond.
@Earthling50 And that's the most interesting thing about life, it seems to replicate scripts within people like them every so often. They aren't the first and won't be the last genius to come.
Keanu Reeves
LadyAlyxandrea
Level 8
June 20, 2018
0
Keanu Reeves is your hero? Interesting ... Why is he your hero?
@Earthling50 right before he filmed the matrix he lost his fiancee and unborn child in a car accident and had to have his neck fused. He did all his own stunts while still recovering from neck surgery AND losing his family. He donated almost every cent from the matrix trilogy to fighting leukemia which his sister died from.
The guy lost every person close to him. He doesn't keep hardly any of his money. He donates it all to charities. He takes the subway and he will buy himself a small birthday cake and share it with strangers. He lives like a normal average person. He's had horrific loss and pain, as well as fame and succes, and he doesn't let either stop him from being a good person.
When my life is shitty I look at him and remember that that even taking the worst hits, I should still work hard to be a good person. And when my life is great I shouldn't forget to keep doing good.
I know it may seem silly, but I respect him more than most human beings
@LadyAlyxandrea wow I had no idea...thank you so much for this. I see him in a new light beyond being an actor... he’s truly rare.
Harry Chapin
273kelvin
Level 8
June 20, 2018
1
He must be a special person; but why? I have not heard of him.
@Earthling50 Song writer, film director, musician. He wrote W.O.L.D. and cats in the cradle amongst others but every other gig was a benefit. One gig for him and his family then one gig for the other guy. Before live aid etc. He was pushing people to do more.
@273kelvin thoughtful melancholy songs ...he sure died young ...[en.wikipedia.org] I like the tribute by Springsteen; he's one of the greats too!
That's easy. My Mom. And she's in a frame on my mantle. Also, just a short walk from my place, I get to see her, anytime I want. I know that (most likely) there will come a day when I'll have to go on living, and she'll have died, so I try to make every second count. I try to absorb her wisdom, to make her laugh, to be willing to help in any way, to remember each time spent with her more faithfully. I'm not certain how I'll go on without her, but I don't want to regret too much when (and if) it happens. The one thing I can really try to do is outlive her. She shouldn't have to deal with the pain of spreading my ashes.
Artisan1992
Level 5
June 20, 2018
2
You really understand the meaning and importance of loving relationships; thanks for sharing your thoughts. The one thing I miss the most is my family who most of which are no longer on this earthly plane.
I have a picture of David Bowie on my wall. That guy was a cool cat, and a very good human. I've been thinking about adding Patrick Stewart to my wall as well, he's a strong activist and a very heroic human being.
AudrinAlexander
Level 3
June 20, 2018
3
In the realm of music, David Bowie for sure was one of the greats ... I admire how fearless he was to express himself. Many musicians end up in a box, doing variations of a theme but not truly stepping out as he did. I think of Prince along the same lines; he was so intensely creative.
My parents and grandparents
Sticks48
Level 9
June 20, 2018
0
You are so very lucky; there is nothing more heart warming than to have grandparents who embody goodness and love. Life doesn't get much better than to have that kind of relationship.
Dr. Jane Goodall. Malala. Anyone who's gone into space. Sacajaweah. (Yes, I'm serious.)
LucyLoohoo
Level 9
June 20, 2018
2
They’re courageous and so dedicated to their cause and convictions. Their qualities make them the heroes they are.....genuine, courageous, thoughtful, enduring...
@Earthling50 Glad I'm not the only one!
Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist who brought science into the household. He has a way of breaking down and explaining complex ideas so that any ordinary lay person can understand it. Whenever I see him on TV, he’s always sporting a well fitting suit to go with his long flowing white hair. That Asian brother is the epitome of smart and sexy and hence my role model.
jujuofthesea
Level 7
June 20, 2018
4
You’re right! He’s one brilliant handsome man— i love his gentle spirit and the thoughtful way he has of sharing his knowledge.
Steve Irwin. Not only was he an activist for nature conservation but he promoted respect and keeping a positive attitude. He’s a childhood hero who’s message I’ll always carry.
RandyMoose
Level 7
June 19, 2018
3
One of the most genuine caring inspirational people that ever lived - I’m so glad his family is caring on his legacy.
Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, and Richard Dawkins. Both very educated, and work to inspire people to use critical thinking.
I remember a vid with the two of them talking about what they called "The poetry of Science". One of my favorite lines was, Neil saying, " I do not require you to believe in anything". I know I listed two, but to be honest I have somewhere around 10 people that have given me to insperation to go back to school to learn more about the Scientific method, and a more developed understanding of maths.
TristanNuvo
Level 8
June 19, 2018
5
I think this is an interesting observation! For me, you have hit on something major that our society has done to itself. As ridiculous as it sounds, I blame reality tv! As reality shows got started, we turned the cameras inward, and got a close look at the lives of random strangers, B-list celebs, celebutants, and bona fide celebrities alike. What those shows, in my opinion, actually did was show us that none of the people were worth idolizing or being called a hero. I think the shows simply showed us that those people were just humans, who lived ridiculous lives, some entitled by power (cop shows), some by wealth (Kardashians/Hiltons). We were able to Humanize them, for the first time in history.... The idea of reality TV humanized, and de-throned those with AND without "Fame"... and fame was the category that we typically pulled our idols (heroes) from! This is not to put down real heroism of people putting their lives on the line to save lives...but the kids aren't looking to these people as the saviors of society anymore either. Neither firemen nor the local teacher can feed their families on their salaries, and cops are currently being vilified (be that right or wrong). Given the way we have humanized even those who could be idols, what are we left with? We seem to be best at idolizing those who remain enigmatic, infallible, and are..... fictional. How the heck could a kid wade through all of this these days?? What are the ramifications of a generation raised in a land where real life heroes have been removed from their pedestal, and the only "heroes" aren't actually human??
(To actually answer the question... Personally, I put Bill Gates up there... but he probably wasn't much of a hero while building his empire, before he had super-hero money...but he sure is Mr. Philanthropy and saving millions of people right now! I also put Elon Musk up there... but he's pretty much a "Marvel Comics" Fictional Super-Hero in human form, with all the super-hero money, and plans to colonize Mars. To me, both of those people have the means, minds, and plans to really change the world in which we live, and that makes them my Heroes, in a world with few or no actual human heroes)
APaleBlueDot
Level 7
June 19, 2018
3
Thanks for bringing up Elon Musk - he’s maybe the most inspiring entrepreneur in the world - a visionary doing important things for humanity like all his work in the field of renewable energy & more ... yes he certainly is a hero.
Alan Watts
AlanWatts
Level 3
June 19, 2018
1
A brilliant eccentric - I’ve listened to many of his lectures including one filmed on his house boat in Sausalito where he’s wearing a tunic & leotards smoking cigars talking about the importance of the concept of ‘nothingness’ - one of my all time favourite lectures.
OR? .... are you nominating yourself? I see your name is the same
@Earthling50 Nope.....I'm just a fan of Alan's work....and Secular Buddhism. After eliminating the ego, why would one nominate themselves?
@AlanWatts You are funny ... and so right!
Chronically ill survivors and abused victims etc....
yaya87
Level 5
June 19, 2018
2
How does that inspire you?
@Earthling50 people who suffer with some sort of chronic illness like an autoimmune disease, renal failure ,brain injury, cancer,PTSD,ADD etc.... Because it is not easy everyday in the morning when you are in constant pain and you have to deal. It takes alot of energy each day to do what we do when suffering with chronic illness. so I would call them and myself a hero because we battle every day.
@yaya87 you’re so right- I watched my sister slowly die a most horrible painful death - she was so courageous and humble never complained- I honestly don’t know how she endured it; breaks my heart thinking about it. I miss her so much- she was the light of my life.
Eleanor Roosevelt for starters.
jlynn37
Level 8
June 19, 2018
2
She really was inspirational. Anyone else’s?
@Earthling50 She was my first thought.
I just read that Eleanor Roosevelt once challenged us all to, ‘do one thing every day that scares you.’ I like that
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