Nobody knows what women want (besides "more"). But, according to Chris Rock, men want three things: (1) food; (2) sex; and, (3) quiet (Chris Rock's enumeration is much funnier, but this is a "family values" blog). I would add one more thing that many men want: heroes.
Why do men want heroes (i.e., heroic men and women, as well as big sandwiches)? I believe it's because evolutionary pressure, along with gravitation, is in opposition to the Second Law of Thermodynamics (the inexorable increase in entropy leading to the eventual heat death of the universe).
So, what attributes best define a hero? Not to put too fine a point on it, it's: (1) natural talent; (2) determination in the face of adversity; and (3) an uncanny ability to prevail. One of my personal heroes, Abraham Lincoln, had these attributes in spades. So did Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, and Joseph Stalin. The latter is not ordinarily thought of in heroic terms (except in Russia, where he is revered to this day), but how else to describe an individual who singlehandedly managed to control the destiny of hundreds of millions of people in the face of an unprecedented onslaught by the forces of another megalomaniac, and ultimately prevailed against all odds?
I am not prepared, yet, to declare Barack Obama a hero. He has not yet demonstrated an uncanny ability to prevail in the face of serious adversity. But thus far, I admire his gifted ability to project sincerity of purpose, and his determination to persevere.
I don't think my momma raised her son without arming him with a bullshit meter. It may not be foolproof, but it's really hard to fake sincerity. When I listen to Obama speak, I am inclined to believe that he means well, though he is still too naive (or possibly much more clever than anyone suspects) for me to bet the farm on his chances to ultimately prevail. We live in interesting times.
Why do men want heroes (i.e., heroic men and women, as well as big sandwiches)? I believe it's because evolutionary pressure, along with gravitation, is in opposition to the Second Law of Thermodynamics (the inexorable increase in entropy leading to the eventual heat death of the universe).
So, what attributes best define a hero? Not to put too fine a point on it, it's: (1) natural talent; (2) determination in the face of adversity; and (3) an uncanny ability to prevail. One of my personal heroes, Abraham Lincoln, had these attributes in spades. So did Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, and Joseph Stalin. The latter is not ordinarily thought of in heroic terms (except in Russia, where he is revered to this day), but how else to describe an individual who singlehandedly managed to control the destiny of hundreds of millions of people in the face of an unprecedented onslaught by the forces of another megalomaniac, and ultimately prevailed against all odds?
I am not prepared, yet, to declare Barack Obama a hero. He has not yet demonstrated an uncanny ability to prevail in the face of serious adversity. But thus far, I admire his gifted ability to project sincerity of purpose, and his determination to persevere.
I don't think my momma raised her son without arming him with a bullshit meter. It may not be foolproof, but it's really hard to fake sincerity. When I listen to Obama speak, I am inclined to believe that he means well, though he is still too naive (or possibly much more clever than anyone suspects) for me to bet the farm on his chances to ultimately prevail. We live in interesting times.
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