heroes

Heroes have too long stood as ideals, as shining, perfect people seen on the television screen or in movies. Those who mourn the lack of heroes demand that we admire people we have never met, on the basis of appearances and second-hand information. In this regard, the concept of a hero is irrelevant; it forces us to esteem false premises, to respect a celebrity because of what he or she seems to be, only because we are expected to honor celebrity status and popularity as if they were the highest virtues.
It is no wonder that celebrities have proven to be disappointing heroes. Every human being possesses both good and bad qualities, and when we worship the good and ignore the bad in people, we are setting ourselves up for major disappointment. Learning to revere the masks donned by television personalities and world leaders allows us to slip into a cozy charade in whi...