Brave Ordinary People Who Changed the World

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the theme of "brave ordinary people who changed the world," exploring various individuals who have inspired participants through their actions, beliefs, or contributions. The scope includes historical figures, personal heroes, and contemporary examples, with a mix of admiration and critique regarding their impact and significance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Participants mention a variety of individuals they consider brave or heroic, including Tank Man, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, and Dorothy Counts.
  • Some participants propose Muhammad Yunus and the Tuskegee Airmen as examples of impactful figures.
  • There are mentions of personal heroes, such as family members and teachers, with one participant highlighting the contributions of nuns as unsung heroes.
  • Discussion includes differing views on what constitutes a hero, with one participant arguing that significant risk or hardship is necessary for someone to be considered a hero, while others include artists and musicians in their lists.
  • Some participants express admiration for historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Tesla, while others focus on contemporary figures like astronauts.
  • There are critiques of certain figures, such as Kurt Cobain and John Lennon, with questions raised about their legacies and what they stood for.
  • One participant reflects on the societal implications of the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute, sharing personal experiences related to race and identity.
  • Discussions also touch on the influence of musicians like Jaco Pastorius, with some emphasizing his importance in music history.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on who qualifies as a hero, with no clear consensus on the criteria for heroism. Some agree on specific individuals, while others challenge the inclusion of certain figures based on their definitions of bravery and impact.

Contextual Notes

There are varying interpretations of heroism and bravery, with some participants emphasizing personal sacrifice while others focus on broader societal contributions. The discussion reflects diverse perspectives influenced by personal experiences and cultural contexts.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in discussions about heroism, historical figures, and personal inspiration may find this thread engaging.

  • #31
Richard Dawkins.
 
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  • #32
I don't really have any heroes. The way I see it, people do things for one of two reasons:

-They either have to do it
or
-They enjoy doing it.

Either way, it seems stupid to look up to someone who's doing what they have to do and why would I look up to someone who was just doing something they enjoy doing?

Besides, if I looked up to someone I'd have to spend time trying to be them and why would I want to be them when I can be me?
 
  • #33
Cyrus said:
What did Kurt Cobain stand for?

Ok, not necessarily what he stood for what he went through growing up, etc, I see parallels.
 
  • #34
SticksandStones said:
-They either have to do it
or
-They enjoy doing it.

Here's what I think. ...
Most of the people I mentioned didn't have good lives (So, I don't think they really enjoyed their lives). And, they weren't forced into what they did. They rather made a distinction between right and wrong and screwed their lives for making this society better. They had guts (see China man) to stand against what is wrong and that's what made them hero (better than good people - now good people can easily stand for the right because of those heroes - see Tribdog quote above.) And because of them, we are living in better society (See Obama who is very talented but couldn't have made to presidential election if some people hadn't fought for the equal rights. Now it is so easy for good people to stand against racism.).
 

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