We tend to have a certain "all or nothing" approach within our culture, especially with regards to those we call heroes. This is unfortunate because it changes one of the most important aspects of people that I want to look up to: they did astonishing things even though they are human. When we start thinking that a person did superhuman things because he or she is superhuman we stop idealizing and start worshiping. When this happens, unpleasant facts and realities need to be shunned lest they potentially tarnish the reputation of this newly created deity and the discussion devolves into a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations. The important part, that there was a person who did great things while being human, filled with faults and failings, loses the real power for inspiration. We are complicated beings, none either all good or all bad so it is in overcoming the limitations that we should find the admirable, not in the manufactured predestination.Continued . . .
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