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06 April, 2005 - 10:45 a.m. Months ago I proclaimed that I was curious as to the how's and why's of hero-worship. It seems to show up not only in the SCA but with sports and entertainment "stars". I was serious about understanding at least some of the mechanisms of hero-worship --- most especially for myself and the role it played in my life for so many years. There is an amazing assortment of stuff on the web: A book which looks really interesting though focused on a football 'hero': "The nature of hero worship -- which, like religion and love, tells us as much about ourselves as about the object of our desire...... Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper is a must-read for anyone who has ever had a hero or wanted one; and especially for those who read about others to find the truth in themselves." Then I found this play, The Wild Duck which seems to cover the pitfalls of being human and dealing with the mundane while holding to lofty ideals - as though you can't have both in the same person: "In The Wild Duck, the hero is most explicitly demystified: His handsomeness, superficially emotional temperament, sympathetic voice, and talent for declaiming the verses and thoughts of others have always made him appear the "great light of the future" within his personal circles. The play debunks this fantasy of idolatry throughout." Now that sounds all to familiar to me. Can others see that as well? I wonder if it is with all hero-types. Leaders in Mind covers the role of hero worship in the office and other day-to-day situations. Apparently younger people are more prone to full blown hero worship than older people because they're still looking for role models on which to base their own identity. If you overly admire heroes at a more mature age, you might be avoiding some aspect of reality you find unpleasant especially within yourself. The emotionally damaged are found here. Even if you don't go so far as to put photos of your 'hero' up, you may be deferring too blindly to his or her authority, too reliant on your him/her to look after you and, hence, too let down when your expectations are disappointed. On Heroes and Cults is an interesting article linking the two which is something I had not thought to do before..... yet according to this, the Moose Lodge would be considered a cult. And then there is this statement but with no notes explaining this philosopher's position..... After all this reading and some discussion with friends, what I found was that there was a part of me that was once truly inspired to do better and be better than I had ever imagined being because of my interactions with a man who consistently spouted some very lofty values and standards..... Yup, I was inspired in a way I had never been before in my life. And, I must admit, if there is nothing else I can credit him with, it is that he does know how to inspire other to be their best selves. Should his human failings in other areas detract from this? It does for me, although many seem to be not only able and willing but absolutely insistent on overlooking and even denying these failings. Somehow we expect our heroes to be exceptional in every area of their lives, no exceptions, no mistakes. I am not sure why that is but I do see that it seems to be that way. For myself, I am aware of too many of the incongruencies and contradictions.... I really want people, not just heroes, to be consistent. You know - if you are going to talk the talk then walk the walk. � � |