iwakar
crush the fences
- Joined
- May 2, 2007
- Messages
- 4,877
- Instinctual Variant
- sx/sp
Why do people have such a hard time distinguishing qualities from individuals, individuals from single-common-denominator groups, and (in)competence from (anti)heroism?
If my Facebook newsfeed over the past week is any indication, it seems to me that there is a cultural tug-of-war between different factions of the populace that believe it is acceptable to deify or vilify certain individuals or groups of people based on their particular view of what is 'praise-worthy'.
A few recurring hero-or-villain debates seem to pop up again and again with people fist-pumping from either side of the aisle:
I believe that neither individual ability or voluntary, compensatory public service should be confused with heroism. I believe personal sacrifice, courage, and intent can be indicative of heroism, but do not always warrant the title. I prefer to admire qualities rather than (groups of) people, so I ask you...
Why do people have such a hard time distinguishing qualities from individuals, individuals from single-common-denominator groups, and (in)competence from (anti)heroism?
If my Facebook newsfeed over the past week is any indication, it seems to me that there is a cultural tug-of-war between different factions of the populace that believe it is acceptable to deify or vilify certain individuals or groups of people based on their particular view of what is 'praise-worthy'.
A few recurring hero-or-villain debates seem to pop up again and again with people fist-pumping from either side of the aisle:
- celebrities
- politicians
- public servants
- members of the armed forces
- the wealthy
- the poor
- any group/individual that is a combination of any of the above
I believe that neither individual ability or voluntary, compensatory public service should be confused with heroism. I believe personal sacrifice, courage, and intent can be indicative of heroism, but do not always warrant the title. I prefer to admire qualities rather than (groups of) people, so I ask you...
Why do people have such a hard time distinguishing qualities from individuals, individuals from single-common-denominator groups, and (in)competence from (anti)heroism?