TheMikidusBalox [2015-01-08 07:18:21 +0000 UTC]

Patrick brown

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LeChaoss [2015-01-04 14:39:13 +0000 UTC]

1. Real human beings

2. I think some people in my area, which is bit older generation of me, and who is more artistic or unique and inspirational & motivational to me
3. I dunno... maybe a joker or batman... maybe... but i don't think i get addicted to them much, just bcuz they r fictional,
Oh yeah i think i got one, Anime characters i guess, Those main characters from #karekano !! I think i liked them bcuz they felt like they bit same as my character...
4. Agree with the last question. And yeah bit disappointing... sad to see it when it happens...
5. None that i know... Cuz i'm not that very open person to show my works or active with life, & act like i want to role... maybe this is just an excuse... But it'll feel very heavy if i had one... and will get so related/ depended to it... that's the scariest... so i be "unknown"/ hide my true identity for the most of the time, even if i don't get the adoration i will be in peace at least... that's importance to me

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CreaturemasterProds [2015-01-02 03:38:19 +0000 UTC]

1. Fictional Character
2. Steve Irwin
3. Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
4. It hurts a lot because the person you look up to no longer can be your hero. It's not because they don't want to or it 's a law or something, it just . . . happens. This is why fictional characters seem to be desired role models: they never disappoint.
5. No

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NothingbutNoodles [2015-01-01 12:30:59 +0000 UTC]

Richard Ayoade.
That is all I have to contribute to the subject.

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Blueknight001 [2014-12-31 17:29:27 +0000 UTC]

My role models or mostly fictional but I do have a few real life ones as well. On the fictional side of things my hero's are the black panther and the amazing spider-man. The black panther embodies some of the things I want to be in life a black man of power, wleath and influence and spidy well fuck it spidy's cool no explanation need there. As for real life side you know the stuff that's more realistic the current president regardless off what people might say he's still pretty amazing there are other but shit this list could go on for ever.

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cljohnston108 [2014-12-31 14:46:24 +0000 UTC]

Constable Benton Fraser, RCMP
Nuff said.

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KarstenHarrington [2014-12-30 06:35:06 +0000 UTC]

1. My role models are mostly real people
2. karichristensen has been my role model all my life. I was named after this guy. He is inspirational and s as my biggest motivation for doing stuff.
3. I don't really have a fictional role model...
4. If Kari fails, I will be upset. But i have failed to in the exact same context, so I could relate.
5. Nobody has said that I was their role model. But, hey, I'm working for this.

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SoulSprite [2014-12-30 02:50:57 +0000 UTC]

My father has been my role model for a long time. Intelligent and caring, his life's work is admirable and nothing can take that away. The inevitable time came that I realized he wasn't perfect. Work pushed him to extreme stress, and he began to change. He became very critical of everyone and lacked faith in my abilities to do much of anything. I met his imperfection with denial then with bitterness. While I am still feeling somewhat bitter, I've begun to realize that I have become what I like in my role models: intelligent, driven, and kind. That realization has kept me afloat during times of self doubt when he's made me feel worthless. I admire my father's intelligence, and for that, he is ONE of my role models. Realizing that my role model was not perfect allowed me to see people as they are, possessing both strengths and weaknesses. It's allowed me to seek out a variety of admirable traits, to be inspired by other people, and to reflect on the woman I am becoming.

Currently, my real-life role model is my professor. She is a social worker involved in political advocacy, homeless outreach, research, and teaching. She is kind, bright, and compassionate. She sees the potential in people and loves to help foster it. My fictional role model is one of my OC's, a plain-looking gryphon whose realization of her own strength has amazingly beautiful impacts on her abilities. By loving and accepting who she is, she finds the greatest power. I have no real *need* to create a fictional role model, but because this gryphon has always been meant to be me, it's nice to remember that I am looking to myself for inner strength and wisdom.

No one has ever told me that I am their role model. As nice as that might be, it isn't a hurtful thing. I am proud of who I am, even if I am not perfect.

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j-shortt [2014-12-30 02:29:06 +0000 UTC]

I do not particularly believe in role models. Are there qualities worth emulating from both fictional and real life people? Sure. However, not everything a person or character does or says will work for you. Only you can figure out what is best for you through experience and reflection. I would also like to add that there is a fine line between valuing a real person or a character. Even a real person has had their public perception shaped and constructed by various forces. To some extent, they are fictional too. To say they are entirely better as a role model simply due their status as a "real person" is suspect to me. Additionally, a fictitious character has the advantage of never changing. This makes them entirely reliable for whatever qualities you may value them for. They can never let you down the way a real person might. However, even then, you yourself and your opinions can change. You will value different things throughout your life. That's partially what I mean when I say only experience can tell you what will work for you in the long run, fictional characters or not.

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KJOtaku [2014-12-30 01:04:42 +0000 UTC]

I miss George Carlin (Q.Q)

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00AD00 [2014-12-30 00:52:14 +0000 UTC]

Looking up to a fictional role model strikes me as childish. I know the characters were fabricated to someones or a teams viewpoint and I don't feel it to be genuinely human. More like an artificial idea.

As you grow older you learn of real impacting people. After all youre only limited to the knowledge you collect, as a kid you limit yourself to the world of the videogame, comicbook, and Tv, for theyre ideas translated and tailored for your comprehension.

As you get older you pick up your materials to follow in translating your own ideas into something. Thats When you find what you love, you start to learn about people who are on the same path as you or who have already followed it.
You learn of the people who brought their message to the world.
A fictional story is railroaded into its place.
As for the real people have proven themselves to you what is possible in this world

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Link-Tesla [2014-12-30 00:28:10 +0000 UTC]

1. My role models are usually real people.

2. I've had many over the years, but Jesus Christ has been and always will be my greatest role model.

3. Probably my OC Link Tesla. He's kind of a representation of my ideal.

4. It's a little disappointing when that happens, but with Jesus, that's never an issue-he will never disappoint!

5. Knowing me...I doubt anyone would see me as someone to look up to. If they did, I'd be seriously concerned about them.

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Sechmet5 [2014-12-29 23:59:45 +0000 UTC]

First of all - I was a bit offended that your article didn't include female role models (the gallery is not enough). Now to the questions.

1. Are your personal role models at present more likely to be actual human beings or fictional characters?
Both: fictional if you only count the people others would have heard about; real if you count all my models. I don't really make role models often - it's more like "I want to make them proud" than "I want to be like them"

2. Which living human being has been your most important role model and why?
My parents (duh) - they're amazing people and I want to grow to make them proud but I also want to avoid some of their characteristics. 
My dance teacher from when I was a little girl (I guess she was my first conscious role model) - she's a kind and beautiful woman (a ballerina) and she's always made beautiful choreography

3. Which fictional character has served you as an important role model and why?
Buffy - she's a strong, funny girl/woman who manages to get through everything no matter how hard it it

4. When a lifelong beloved role model suddenly disappoints in a spectacular fashion, how devastating is the experience to your emotional/mental health?  Is this why some people prefer fictional role models who never disappoint?
I don't know really. When I'm disappointed, I focus on the good stuff about the person and use the disappointment as an inspiration to avoid doing something like that. I actually am more often inspired "not to be like that" than "to be like that".

I don't like putting too much faith in fictional characters unless their creators are finished with them, because they often mess up spectacularly.

5. Has anyone ever told you that you are his or her role model?
No. I'm still young and I haven't done anything role-model-worthy yet and there are no kids around me to use me as an inspiration. People have admired my ability to stay calm even when anyone else would at least start freaking out, but not to the point of being a role model.

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Myriam-Mitsune [2014-12-29 20:33:02 +0000 UTC]

Usually? Fictional characters. It's not that there aren't great people around -there sure are!-. It's just that, being a person that is mostly surrounded by fiction, for saying it in any way, I connect better with fictional characters.

2. Which living human being has been your most important role model and why?

I guess that would be Malala. She insisted in going to school even though she knew that they could attack her.

3. Which fictional character has served you as an important role model and why?

Probably Mulan. She was a young girl in a society that always told her that she deserved nothing. And yet, she went to the war and fought for the ones she loved. She alwas was a really strong role model for me. Hermione was really important for me, too! As a kid, and even now, I could really connect with her.

4. When a lifelong beloved role model suddenly disappoints in a spectacular fashion, how devastating is the experience to your emotional/mental health?  Is this why some people prefer fictional role models who never disappoint?

I don't really know how to respond to that. I think that the fact that they make mistakes makes them more of humans! And, even if they mess up, we can still learn from them.

5. Has anyone ever told you that you are his or her role model?

Not directly! They've told me that I am "admirable", though.

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II-edison-II [2014-12-29 18:59:15 +0000 UTC]

And the other questions confused me so that's all I could answer 

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Philip-Storm [2014-12-29 18:25:38 +0000 UTC]

1) Are your personal role models at present more likely to be actual human beings or fictional characters?

Human beings. At the end of the day, fictional characters are still created and developed by human beings: I'd rather witness real faults and real advantages as opposed to do those manufactured artificially.

2) Which living human being has been your most important role model and why?

J.K Rowling. She has taught me that we can start with nothing and be dealt constant shit in life, but that anybody can rise up and seize the golden apple if we put every single goddamn ounce of energy into doing so. Doubly so considering I aspire to be an author: If she can create a creative empire, then I, too, will cross the Rubicon someday.

3) Which fictional character has served you as an important role model and why?

None of them have.

4) When a lifelong beloved role model suddenly disappoints in a spectacular fashion, how devastating is the experience to your emotional/mental health?  Is this why some people prefer fictional role models who never disappoint?

Not very. Humans have flaws: Yes, it is harrowing to see somebody you like and aspire to be like disappoint you, but they are human, just like everybody else. At the end of the day, it is actually quite admirable to see a role model disappoint: Far too many of the people that we place on pedestals are deified without us realising that they can have flaws as well.

5) Has anyone ever told you that you are his or her role model?

No, and to be quite frank, I would be disturbed if anybody considered me their role model. I would rather be looked at as an example to subvert rather than as an example to follow.

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OfficialByraine [2014-12-29 17:44:56 +0000 UTC]

I: My role models at present are fictional characters.
II: I would have to say Malala Yousafzai, who fights for women's greater education in countries where women are denied such things.
III: Can I say Hinamori Amu from Shugo Chara, who fights for her own and others' dreams?
IV: I wouldn't be happy, for certain. Not devastated, though. But I think I can understand why this would make others prefer fictional role models.
V: Yes. My best friend simply adores me for my crazy.

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Ex0rtus [2014-12-29 15:05:30 +0000 UTC]

1) Few are fictional characters, but even then I actually look up to the person who created them.

2) The one that comes to mind and I can't leave unmentioned is Mark Twain. A quote of his has helped me tremendously with figuring out what I want to do with my life and what type of person I want to be. The quote goes like this:
   "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than       by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the     trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." 

3) A lot of Ancient Greek heroes whose tales were told to inspire people for many years to come. Also, the modern take on a similar subject, comic book superheroes. Almost exclusively the ones created by DC.

4) I know that no matter how incredible they seem to us, they are still people. To me, it doesn't matter if a role model of mine turns out to be a horrible person or a fraud. It's about what he/she taught me and how that helped me. If they go down, it doesn't mean that others won't come to fill in their shoes or even do a better job.

5) No. I like talking about flaws, generally and personally, to try and make me or others better. That translates to always being looked upon as a very flawed person and sometimes others don't like what they hear, elt alone consider them and see if they are true, in order to better themselves.

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TheHeartlessBastard [2014-12-29 12:48:37 +0000 UTC]

"real human beings"
*Jesus is at the bottom of the page*
That's too subjective.

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Aya-Wavedancer [2014-12-29 04:42:46 +0000 UTC]

Alexander the Great was known for growing up on the myths of his time and wishing to be like his heroes. In particular, he wished to be like Achilles.

Nothing new here. We have always had examples to wish to strive to be like throughout history.

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AudioWaves [2014-12-29 03:42:17 +0000 UTC]

Fictional Characters. Mainly Fictional Characters, to me at least. There are so many shows now based with super hero's, I honestly don't see many human beings as role models. Then again, people come in your life for a reason, and they could be your role model. I don't think fictional characters should be compared to real life role models, but I grew up watching kid shows like Disney and transformers.

2.Which living human being has been your most important role model and why?

When I was younger, I never thought that I could draw. I always thought famous people were the only ones who could do it, and being we lost our house at that moment and I lived in my grandmas basement, I didn't think much of it. Then my mom befriended somebody named Pharoh, who drew anime. I've already seen anime before since my brother introduced me to it, but I suddenly thought, "Hey, That could be me. I could be that person making mangas, drawing the latest and greatest art for all to see." So, I got to work. Yeah, I suppose it hasn't happened yet..but one day, I can do something. I want to help animators, I want to just be part of something bigger.

3.Which fictional character has served you as an important role model and why?

Optimus Prime, really. When I was younger I used to watch the older generations, 20th anniversary, and even Rodimus when he came in. But even though I was so little and didn't know much of Optimus, I cried when he died because I thought he was such a great leader. He knew what to do in risky situations, and he always got the Autobots out of trouble. He was just..there. Not to mention the voice actor! I remember watching a video of him, and it inspired me to do voice acting myself, even if it is complicated to get into. I'm just kind of bad in front of crowds, but I guess it's a fear worth getting over. But Optimus prime..He's a prime, there's no other way to explain it.

4.When a lifelong beloved role model suddenly disappoints in a spectacular fashion, how devastating is the experience to your emotional/mental health?  Is this why some people prefer fictional role models who never disappoint?

Personally,  I get upset because how other people treat them. They may be your role model but we are called humans for a reason, and we make mistakes. People should know that by now, especially because we've all made mistakes at least once in our life.  Maybe this is why people choose fictional characters over human beings, because for a fictional character, anything can happen. While in real life, people are so judge-full, maybe they're better off knowing they are in the crowd with everybody else? I do like fictional characters, but I do have my role models in real life as well.

5.Has anyone ever told you that you are his or her role model?

Nobody has ever gone up to me and literally say, "You are my role model." That would mean the world to me if they did, but in different terms..I guess so.. A friend of mine was upset though, saying that I was better at everything else than her. I could draw better, I could do more pull ups, I could write better. I just felt kind of broken-hearted to know my best friend was jealous of me, I suppose she was..maybe people see me as a role model, but I never hear it. People do say though that I should be a lawyer, a president, or a doctor. One of those more serious jobs, maybe because I like to make long speeches.

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radiumlowi [2014-12-29 01:42:17 +0000 UTC]

As a high school senior myself, I will go for real life role models over fictional ones. Despite real figures have numerous of flaws, To err is human, it is much more worthwhile appreciate how they overcome their weaknesses for success. While movies and fiction works are highly simplified, you can't copy and follow the characters' experience. Just like fables and tales, only extract the symbolism and idea, but never overdo it on real life.

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starsworne [2014-12-28 20:49:27 +0000 UTC]

Fictional characters, no question.

2. Which living human being has been your most important role model and why?

I had a teacher my senior year of high school that I respected and liked very much. I appreciated him because he didn't seem quite real - he seemed like heroes from my stories. He'd get passionate, he'd make a speech, he really enjoyed life and seemed to be one of those people who's lives would be worthy of being the 'main character'. He didn't seem like he was in control of his world, but he certainly seemed like he was in the pilot's chair. His code was the sort of thing I could get behind, and his personality made life sing. Most real people don't do that.

There's someone else closer to my own age that arguably has been my most important role model, instead of him, but there's too many mixed feelings for me to say for sure.

3. Which fictional character has served you as an important role model and why?

It's more like which one hasn't that'd be a shorter list. I guess as a role model, I'd have to say Optimus Prime. I really idolize leaders and thinkers, and Optimus Prime has definitely been a great resevoir for that. But I see myself, or idealized versions of myself, or my struggles in so many characters - N Harmonia from Pokemon, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Twilight Sparkle or Luna from My Little Pony, the list could go on and on. The people that make this list do so because they're something I want to be, doing things that I want to be doing - or at least, can really see myself having to do. Real life people usually don't hold a candle to the power of their experiences, personalities, and stories - real people just aren't as intense. I don't feel gravity towards most real people. But fictional? They grab my heart immediately. 

4. When a lifelong beloved role model suddenly disappoints in a spectacular fashion, how devastating is the experience to your emotional/mental health?  Is this why some people prefer fictional role models who never disappoint?

Absolutely devastating. I place a lot of my hope in the idols I have - I tell myself 'you know what, most folks can't but there's at least ONE example in the sea of nope that CAN'. Even fictional characters disappoint, but they tend to address it immediately and turn it around. At nothing else, fictional characters tend to have better reasons for why they're disappointing today - in real life, a lot of people seem to just 'not feel that way anymore' or just were too tired today to make it happen. I can't respect that. I used to have certain historical figures I respected, or ideologies - but the more I learn, the more I realize those people were flawed in ways that I could never support. Fictional characters just seem more aware of what they are, what they do, and what that means - even if it's on a subconcious level. Problems get addressed, and there's always time to finish.

5. Has anyone ever told you that you are his or her role model?

Not in that particular phrasing, but yes. It really is a great thing to hear. I've had people tell me that I've changed their outlook on things, or really made a huge impact on their feelings. I think that's what role models do for me, so I feel like I've done this for others, too. Once I had the other teacher of the same class as the one I mentioned in answer one tell me that he was trying to raise his child to be like me, and hoped he succeeded. Knowing that he saw me as someone who worked hard, persevered, and had a good strong code of ethics while at the same time, being proud to run around an atheletic suburban school wearing a cape and talking about fantasy novels or giant robots usually reserved for 6 year olds, that really had weight behind it. I felt like he knew me, and so to have him say that he wanted his own son to turn out like me, that felt really amazing to think I was someone he wanted his own son to model after.

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IronBrony1981 [2014-12-28 19:03:52 +0000 UTC]

Awesome!

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zoe00007 [2014-12-28 17:36:43 +0000 UTC]

Flagged as Spam

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runenstein [2014-12-28 13:15:49 +0000 UTC]

1. Mostly real human beings.
2. Lzzy Hale - sounds cheesy because I'm such a big fan of her, but she really is my perfect role model. She knew what she wanted to do with her life from such an early age, and look where she is now - on her way to the success she fought for all her life, and I think it's just very empowering to see how much she's achieved just by believing she could do it and by going on whatever happened, by getting up again when it was hard, by fighting back when people tried to keep her from doing what she loved. Also, she's just an incredible vocalist and fronts an amazing band, and she's such a sweetheart. After every show she stays at the venue for an hour or two and talks to the fans, regardless of whether they have VIP tickets or not, she really appreciates her fans and she's very thankful for everything they have done for her, and that's not something usual nowadays, when most celebrities only care about themselves. And there's another thing that makes Lzzy a great role model in my opinion, especially for very young girls: she is very often told how beautiful and sexy she is, which is totally true, but the thing is - she is beautiful and sexy without being super thin, without having gigantic tits, without being blonde and tan or whatever society wants people to see as perfect beauty. And I think that's very empowering if you don't look like all those top models and pop stars yourself, and you see how Lzzy is pretty anyway, and how she's confident and loves herself the way she is. 
3. If I'm quite honest, the pirate princess Soledad from Kai Meyer's "Die Wellenläufer", which is an amazing German fantasy novel. I think it's called The Wave Runners or something in English. I looked up to Soledad for a long time because she seemed so perfect, I think, perfect without being perfect. You know, she's incredibly pretty, she's snappy, she can fight, she can steer a ship, she can do, like, everything! And still she has her flaws - she is way too stubborn and doesn't know when she has lost, she is also a bit quick-tempered and refuses to believe in anything except what she has being told all her life. A few years ago, when I was still very young, I almost worshipped her, I even tried to dye my hair dark red because hers was dark red too. I'm not saying that she's a good role model, but she was the only fictional character I ever really looked up to.
4. That hasn't really happened to me yet, fortunately... except for that one time, which isn't so long ago, actually, when Lzzy Hale wore something that looked like a fur coat. It was only one picture from one photoshoot, but of course everybody started screaming bloody murder, even though it's not even confirmed that that thing is a real fur coat, but I'll admit, I was a bit disappointed in her because I love animals with all my heart and the thought of Lzzy wearing fur... I really didn't like that. It wasn't really "devastating" though. It just made me feel a little uncomfortable.
5. No. 

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MarcosDeDiego [2014-12-28 11:58:18 +0000 UTC]

There has always been fictional role models, the ancient gods, titans and heroes  of every religion served that purpose.  And i strongly disagree with Star Trek being the first.
Also i disagree with your vision of REAL vs Fictional role models, the storytelling and history rewriting involved sometimes makes the real human beings fictional and vice versa: Making a hero out of a human being is a work fiction, you can simplify the life of Muhammad Ali and say he was an example of courage, honour and hard work, but i can say likewise that he also was full of anger, a womanizer and thug. but I choose to remember Ali as the greatest boxer ever.


The article is a very example of how, as subjetive beings, we differ in our perception of a role model and how we transfer to fictional and real-human role models our own values and hopes.
For example:
1:      i wouldn't consider Steve Jobs as a role model instead i see in him the worst example of a role model. A man that made buying a lifestyle, capitalism at it's best. A man that made software more restrictive, closed, hidden and esoteric, he transformed a beatiful thing into a religion and his own figure a tailored hand made prophet of the absolute void.
If i had to choose a real role model in this area and real inovators i would choose Richard Stallman (the man who made "open source software" possible, the man that made software free again) or Dijkstra, Turing or Gödel.

2. Avatar is the worst example of how we look over our shoulder at primitive cultures and the worst example of how we should deal with nature and science. Also, it borrows a lot of wrong and dated theories about our own relationship with more primitive cultures in our history. A most accurate vision of how, as humans, we tend to deal with our sorroundings take "Apocalypto" and his "fractal vision" of history or the endless cicle of man vs. Man / culture shock.

3. Iron Man was there long before the movies appeared, and it was a pseudo role model for comic readers for decades as Batman, Superman and many many more.
 Stark/Iron Man, in the movies, was shaped out of real life entreperneurs and (not without a great amount of criticism and mockery) real life well known beings as Steve Jobs. Not the other way around. Also i want to note that the father of Stark is based on the real life Walt Disney (One of my personal heroes).

4.  It's strange to read the article with the words "war heroes" and "anti-militaristic" in the same article. Even if "war heroes" means passive-agresive fighters like Ghandi.

5.    The example of Indy is another example of what you want to see in the movies instead of what is told. I agree with you, Indy is the worst example of an Archeologist, but it never was intended to be a role model for archeologist ( despite he was modeled after Quatermain and some real life adventurers/archeologist of the very early stages of the science) it was meant to be a vehicle for entertainment, a Role Model of an Adventured, not a scientist. everything in the movie is depicted as a stereotype and not meant to be realistic. It's like saying that Victor Frankestein is to blame for a chld wanting to become a Mad scientist and that depicts science in it's worst state (wich, by the way, was the goal of Mary Shelley making Victor the ultimate summ of fears about the god complex vs science, wich is a nice Role Model of what science should not become).

6. I've never had Role Models, i have inspirational figures, people i admire (very flawed ones) and the ones iadmire most are the ones, like Carling or Bill hicks, that told me not to trust role models and be aware and ready to criticise even his own legacy.

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Moriadat [2014-12-28 08:26:06 +0000 UTC]

My father was killed when I was only a baby, so for the longer part of my childhood, all my role models were fictional: Conan the Barbarian (by R E Howard), Tarzan of the Apes, John Carter of Mars (and most of Edgar Rice Burroughs other heroes, for that matter). I like to think they instilled me with a sense of honour, though I'm the first to admit it hasn't done me much good.

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mario-metzler [2014-12-28 06:52:00 +0000 UTC]

Every role model will in the end be followed by its own humanity, with all its flaws.

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Realmwright [2014-12-28 04:17:50 +0000 UTC]

Right....in the.....feels.!
1) A mixture of both. The fictional ones tend to be more overtly awesome in their heroic actions and derring-do. The real life ones don't strike as instantly 'heroic'. It's not until I've had time to think things over that you realize you live alongside awesome quite regularly.

2) Call it corny, but my dad is top of the list. He beats out favorite teachers, authors, artists, and inventors. The everyday hero is the guy that will get up early, work a job all day that takes a lasting, physical toll, and continues to do it day in and day out. Why? Because he needs to. Whether it's because expectations of other say so, or more powerfully their own drives says so.

3) Perrin Aybara from the Wheel of Time. Also Tam al'Thor from the same series. Stephen King's Gunslingers, namely Cuthbert Allgood and Eddie Dean. Drizzt Do'Urden. Faramir. They take what's given to them, good or bad, and they just keep on keeping on. Some of them learn profound lessons in profound ways. Some stay true to what's right just because it simply is. And a couple of them waded through piles of guts and $hit and died with laughter on their lips. Just because life gives you lemons doesn't mean you can't make a bad joke of it right before you're cut down in a hail of gunfire.

4) I'm not gonna name names, but when someone you respect the hell out of shows their true colors and smash a vision you've held onto for decades...well there ain't much more you can do than to crawl into the bathtub with a bottle of whiskey. Eventually you learn from it and say "I won't be like that." Then you try and hope like hell that you won't be that guy to someone else.

5) The actual words "role model" weren't used, but several people have told me that I've impressed them because when the chips were down I reacted they way they expected I would, and in a way that I didn't know I had in me. It's a really weird feeling when that happens. When people who know you are like "Yeah. I totally saw that coming." meanwhile you're thinking "How did I get through that?"
I like to think that it's those good...nay GREAT role models, affected me a lot deeper than I knew, and it is them that got me through the hard times.
I had a very good philosophy professor that broke Joseph Campbell's teaching down to: There are thresholds in life. Those thresholds are guarded by great beasts. You can either step up and slay them or convince them to allow you passage, or you can retreat and turn from your true path to become lost in the wastelands. Conquer your threshold guardians and soldier on. Doing so proves to yourself and the universe that you will do what you must - not for praise or glory - but just because you acknowledge that it's what needs doing. Then go on about your life.

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Katfeathers [2014-12-28 03:52:01 +0000 UTC]

Eventually the heroes we know today to be real will someday be thought to only be storys. So if the heroes we know are made up are written of good values then why not emulate them when we can.

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Sorrowscoldfrost [2014-12-28 03:32:57 +0000 UTC]

I don't really have any role models, fictional or real. There are fictional characters and people from history that I admire, but I wouldn't call them role models.

No one has ever told me I'm their role model, and honestly, I'd never want to be told that; I'd make a terrible role model.

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ShoujoMichelleDck [2014-12-28 02:45:52 +0000 UTC]

Avatar is a great film, but it was not like a real, i think the film animator must make a better effect for it

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DeviousViet [2014-12-28 02:42:41 +0000 UTC]

I'd say it's more of a recent thing to westerners. The shows i watched as a child were primarily of myths, legends, heroes that could never be real or real heroes that had turned into legends(old asian pugilists are often shown to be able to do things like fly and heal through meditation, think jet-li movies but much more far fetched).

Western culture has only recently become more comfortable with using fantasy in television and movies but I don't see it having any real effect on how children set their goals. They've just gone from sarcastic, unrealistically intelligent doctor saving patients while offending them, to fantasy warriors and superheroes defending the people.

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RonenTheGamer [2014-12-28 01:51:13 +0000 UTC]

1. My role models would more likely to be real human beings, and not even, because even plants, animals, and inamitate objects also inspire me. The thing with fictional characters is that their stories and personalities and such can be altered anytime by the creators, so they could go from a lovable hero to a dastardly villain.

2. My biggest role model is Benjamin Franklin. He's achieved so much in his life it seems like he's a fictional character. I think he relates to some people in the sense of attention. In a family of about 17 children, he was often overlooked because he was a troublemaker. This eventually led him to run away from home. But he soon learned that he had so much potential and applied his knowledge, skills, and ideas in his life to the point that people now know him as a scientist, writer, inventor, and politician(?).

3. I think Eliza from The Wild Thornberrys has served me as an important fictional role model. She's very respectful of the differences of others. She can also strike up a conversation with any animal, which is a really cool power.

4. I am not accepting of the negative actions of my role model, but I do believe that everyone makes mistake, and I usually forgive them for it. I think that's better than looking up to a cardboard cutout or a Mary Sue.

5. Not that I can recall, but wouldn't it be heartwarming to hear that?

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DJGO [2014-12-28 01:19:09 +0000 UTC]

1. Real ones.
2. Varius, but I like Bruce Lee because he created his own martial style.
3.No one.
4.I hate that, but I think that even fictional characters dissapoints people sometimes.
5. No (so sad).

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Gamaray89 [2014-12-28 00:43:54 +0000 UTC]

Wow it's amazing 😮

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TookieKat [2014-12-27 23:42:48 +0000 UTC]

I agree with pookaheart, people have been using role models like Beowulf, Coyote (native American Lore), and  Captain Ahab for a very long time. To say that we are losing touch with  reality and real heroes isn't fair to the real (human) heroes. I think its best to  say that there are more mediums and ways  to here stories(tv,i phones,computers)  than every before. Also If you think about it, what would most people like to hear about. A story where a man hunts down a giant white beast,or say a story about an astrophysicist.  That being said I'm not saying the astrophysicists  isn't more interesting but I think its human nature to go with what is more shocking or exciting at least at face value.

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pookaheart [2014-12-27 22:50:07 +0000 UTC]

This is not new. Humans have looked to myth and legend for our role models for as long as we can recall. What has changed is the value represented by them, due to who our storytellers are.

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DarkArchangel666 [2014-12-27 19:19:25 +0000 UTC]

I think that its a double edged sword really. There are wonderful fictional role models and really really bad human ones but the reverse is true as well. I agree we should be our own person, not emulating others. Learn to develop the good traits in ourselves and learn from the mistakes of our role models.

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XtheXKXX [2014-12-27 18:59:55 +0000 UTC]

I think either real or fictional who you chose as a role model does have a severe impact on your life. I think valuing yourself as a individual, rather than emulating someone is the best way to live. Take things you love and make them your own from your role models. Try to become a good role model for youths.

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