Who Inspired You to Follow Your Career Path?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of role models and personal inspirations that have influenced participants in their career paths. It encompasses a variety of perspectives, including personal anecdotes, admiration for historical figures, and reflections on the nature of role models.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for unconventional role models, such as animals like sloths and platypuses, highlighting their unique traits.
  • Others mention influential figures from their educational experiences, such as teachers and scientists, who inspired their interest in science and mathematics.
  • A few participants state they do not have a specific role model, preferring to draw inspiration from various individuals or to focus on self-improvement.
  • Some contributions reflect on historical figures like Gandhi, Malcolm X, and Carl Sagan, discussing their impact and the complexities of their legacies.
  • There are contrasting views on the significance of role models from the entertainment industry, with some dismissing them as unworthy of emulation.
  • Participants also share humorous or light-hearted takes on role models, mixing serious influences with playful references.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reveals a lack of consensus on the concept of role models, with many participants expressing differing views on who qualifies as a role model and the reasons behind their choices. Some participants agree on the value of diverse inspirations, while others challenge the notion of having a singular role model.

Contextual Notes

Participants' views are influenced by personal experiences and cultural backgrounds, leading to a wide range of interpretations of what constitutes a role model. Some statements reflect complex feelings about historical figures and their legacies, indicating a nuanced understanding of their impacts.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring the concept of role models in personal and professional development, as well as those reflecting on the influences that shape their career paths.

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Most everyone has a role model in their life. They could be a parent, a friend, a teacher, or a sports hero.
Who is ur role model ... and why u picked him/her as a role model ...
 
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I honestly have never had a role model. There has never been anyone I wanted to be like. That doesn't mean that there weren't things that I was interested in and wanted to do.

Arildno's sloth is pretty cool though. I think the sloth may be my first role model. Those claws are awesome. :approve:
 
My Chemistry tutor. He inspired me to love sciences and mathematics.
 
It's a toss up between Einstein and Jenna Jameson. On the one hand, Einstein was the master of physics. On the other, Jenna Jameson DEFIES physics.

:smile:

The Rev
 
My dad comes to mind first off, but not for my career motivations as much as everything else.
When it comes to the person who gave me direction as in "now I know what I want to do with my life" sense the person has changed around over the years. The two primary people, however, are my 8th grade science teacher and Carl Sagan. My science teacher was nothing but supportive when I first started going out into the world of astronomy, and Sagan's outlook on the universe really got to me as well (combined with his charecter Ellie Arroway who I just thought was the most awesome person ever).
 
no name said:
Who is ur role model ... and why u picked him/her as a role model ...
I don't have one. Even the most significant people have faults, (eg. Washington supporting slavery, Howard Hughes being a flaming fruitcake, etc.), some of which might even outweigh their contributions. It's easier to just pick and choose among the best attributes of everybody. If I absolutely had to pick one, I'd probably go with Da Vinci, just because he seems to have had the most fascinating mind ever, and endless curiosity.



edit: Damn! I should have said 'Evo' to nail some brownie points.
 
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it was nice reading yours guys ...
mine is Gandhi ...
cheeeeerz
 
Me, I'm my own role model. :biggrin: Seriously, I don't have one. I always hated those essay questions in school where they asked you to write about your role model. I usually just made up something that I thought would make the teacher happy, so did several of my friends (the more of a sob story you could build up with it, the better the grade). I'm too busy being my own unique self to be bothered trying to be just like someone else.
 
  • #10
I never had a role-model either. I don't really want to emulate anyone in particular. There are many people that I do admire though. At the top of that list today would be Helen Keller.
 
  • #11
Jenna Jameson.

I'd have to say... Isaac Asimov.

He inspired me to join the world of mathematics and sciences.
 
  • #13
It used to be my uncle, a successful and happy engineer.

However, now that I've met Danger...
 
  • #14
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  • #15
Moonbear said:
...I usually just made up something that I thought would make the teacher happy, so did several of my friends (the more of a sob story you could build up with it, the better the grade).
So that's how you gained such skill. :biggrin:

I never worship anyone or anything to be sure--definitely not anyone from the entertainment industry. While I can appreciate their achievements, what difference will it make to our world and future? I have learned wonderful things from other people. And do admire people, like Leonardo da Vinci--not that he is better than Newton, for example, but because he was so good at so many things--really amazing. I always felt the best person to compete with is yourself--to compare if you are improving yourself over time, and this should be enough.
 
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  • #16
For me its a toss up between Captain Kirk, Frank Zappa, and Mr. Rogers.
 
  • #17
inha said:
the platypus> the sloth + the great panda.

Cool...a mammal with a bill that lays eggs AND has a poison barb on its ankle!
 
  • #18
Mine would half to be the Leakey family, because of the committed research on human origins.
 
  • #19
Malcolm X, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

for inspiring me to stand up for my beliefs and to be proud of my country... Also their exemplary personal lives, complete honesty, respectful, courteous, kind, but when the moment struck, they were ready in the battlefied prepared to fight and die for people... I don't even measure up to an iota of their thoughts and actions, but I want to improve...
 
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  • #20
no name said:
it was nice reading yours guys ...
mine is Gandhi ...
cheeeeerz

brother, are you indian? if you are, I would like to give a link to you on him later..

I admire him for how he lived his life, but his actions and his actions during the latter stages of 1940s just affected India for the definite worse and I am prepared to defend this statement against anyone. India and Pakistan, one of the most unfortunate and sad events of history, could have been united if it hadn't been for him and the Nehru monarchy.. Also, the Indian independence cannot be attributed to him, he played some parts, but Subhash Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army, even after his plane crash, had more of an effect on the Indian independence than Gandhi.. But the sad part is that only a few Indians realize this, everyone else is brainwashed at schools...
 
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  • #21
A role model?

If only it was so easy to have an external reference!


On second thought, maybe http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/abraxas.jpg
 
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  • #22
Who would take Tomàs de Torquemada to be his role model ?

Just wondering

marlon
 
  • #24
I have always been inspired by the wisdom of the elders. That spurred the idealism and desire for knowledge like no other.

As for a particular person, the only one I can think of is the physicist David Bohm, but that is about it.
 
  • #25
My High School math teacher (for alg2 and ap calc). He kind of inspired me to not only love and do well in math, but also to major in math education (not that he directly advised me to do so, but heavily influenced).
 

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