Things You Are Not, for 1000
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 12:05AM It's difficult enough to get through your day to day (especially with that ridiculous haircut) without the constant added pressure of having to be heroic.
I write this because of the obsession we have, as erect (ha!) homo (HA!) sapiens (ha?), to define people into categories that are logically unattainable. Specifically, I'm angry-ed up by the omnipresent term "Hero".
In my exhaustive research for this post (somethingsomethingipedia), I read that following the traditional Greek definition of hero, a more general (literary) definition arose to encompass those who, "in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice – that is, heroism – for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence."
I think that generally fits with what most of us think - a hero is someone who displays courage and self-sacrifice for some greater good. And the idea of hero representing martial courage (say, that of a soldier fighting for his country), is spot on. But even in that scenario, it really depends on your perspective, right? My guy is the hero, but the guy on the other side is a terrorist. Not getting political here, I'm just saying, even villains are heroes to someone. Which is why Heath Ledger got that last Oscar. Boom. Lawyered.
MY POINT IS, as if I ever have one, that not only the word but the concept of hero is just nonsense in all practical ways. People can be courageous or outstanding or extraordinary, but heroic is a step too far. Because to me, courageous or outstanding or extraordinary are temporary. A moment in time. But hero is a label that's meant to define a person. Forever.
To define that person and then later used to tear him down.
This happens because of that last tricky bit in the quote above, where the definition was "extended to more general moral excellence." I'm here to tell you, there's nobody left anywhere that has maintained a general moral excellence throughout his or her lifetime. Everyone disappoints. And we looooooove that about our fellow human beings. Oh my god, we roll in that like it's mud on our disgusting porcine bodies.
Because when others fail, it's vindication of our own pathetic lives. We might enjoy labeling someone a hero, but we crave watching the hero fall from grace.
I'm not breaking ground on the observations here, I know. But in an effort to be a better person yourself - more courageous or outstanding or extraordinary - maybe try a little harder not to get wrapped up in the fall of everyone else.
That means when Tiger Woods scatters, smothers and covers a Waffle House waitress, it's not the fall of a hero, it's just another person being human in a manner not condoned by everyone. And it's none of your business. It really, really isn't.
Reader Comments (3)
Yep. You beat me to it, but I wanted to say the same thing. I've avoided that mess as much as possible. And it's only the latest mess to avoid. There's always some shit to slip in if you like watching other people poop.
"We might enjoy labeling someone a hero, but we crave watching the hero fall from grace. "
This is at the core of so much of my work, it's frightening.
Hey, nice new site! Love the look, and I'm glad you've come back from the dead. I never lost hope.