moral conundrum

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   Stevennix2001posted 13 years ago

   in the hit film kick ass, the main protagonists questions why doesn't anyone in real life ever try to be a super hero?  seriously, he honestly asks this question in the film.  therefore, i would like to know if you all ever felt the same way, and if so what's stopping you from being a real life super hero?  no, this isn't a stupid joke forum for you guys to joke around about, as im actually quite serious. why doesn't anyone in real life ever try to be a super hero?  please discuss.

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      Jeff Berndtposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      In real life, being a "super hero" is called being a "vigilante."

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         Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         good point. do you think there's many of these so called vigilantes?  if not, then what do you think is stopping people like you and me from becoming vigilantes?

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         Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         A person who interferes with a crime and tries to stop it is not a vigilante!
         
         A person who interferes with a crime and stops it then summarily punishes the one committing the crime is a vigilante!
         
         Words mean things!

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      LegendaryHeroposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Because doing that would be risking death.
      
      Here are some real superheroes:
      
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-life_superhero

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         Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         wow, what a bunch of f***ing idiots! 

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      goldenpathposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What is a superhero?
      
      To me superheros are seen everyday.  A father and mother teaching principles of basic right and wrong is heroic as the residual affect of those teachings last for generations.  A counselor struggling hard to reach and understand a troubled youth is a hero as that effort may bring happiness, joy and a productive life to that youth.  A policeman daily putting himself in harms way to protect the innocent is heroic as he helps to maintain order in a nation.  A mother cradling a child out of love is a superhero as that child may know love throughout it's life.
      
      I may be off base from what you are looking for, but a superhero goes far deeper and in more humbling terms than the superheros of the film studios. 
      
      The true superheros are out there everyday including those defending our freedoms.

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   TLMinutposted 13 years ago

   I bet people do - don't you think Obama went into office with plans to be exactly that? The one who would fix so many problems in America that everyone would be thrilled and amazed?
   
   People who work so hard trying to bring schools, wells, food, and medical care to other countries are trying too. I don't know anyone trying to use their superpowers though.

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      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      well to be fair, neither does kick ass have any powers.  no, he's basically just a kid who dons a costume and starts to fight crime just because he has good intentions.  what im asking is do you think anyone else has ever thought of that, and if so, then what's stopping them from heading into the streets and taking on gangs and mafia hit men?  that's bascially what im asking.

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         Justine76posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         the law, cops, "obstruction of justice" getting sued, all that might stop a guy from trying to get involved.

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            Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            lol.  that's true too.  although you should also add in the factor that it's very dangerous and you could end up getting yourself killed too.  or if you do happen to mess with any gangs, then there's always a possibility they'll go after your family and friends too.

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            Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Justine, true.   Not to mention, some of us are mothers; and it would irresponsible to risk our lives and leave our kids (or bring serious, dangerous, mess into their lives). 
            
            So, while I'd be more willing than to try to be a super-hero, I must play the "mother card" - and one day I'll play the "grandmother" card as well.     (Looks like being a super-hero isn't in those cards for me.    )

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               raisingmeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               It is my experience as a mother of four and soon to be grandmother that mothers have super powers in multiple areas of life and as a mother one often finds themselves doing things they would never have dreamed themselves capable of.  I read an account of where a mother had even lifted a vehicle in order to free her child who was pinned underneath it.  Super-  yes - it's all part of motherhood.  If there are super heroes among us - I would say hundreds of thousands of mothers would qualify for membership in that exclusive club.
               
               A super hero protects those who are unable to protect themselves as in not "risk our lives and leave our kids (or bring serious, dangerous, mess into their lives"!
               
               I think that you are a Super Hero - I know I am one

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         aka-djposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         They don't have a camera crew with them, and they don't get paid any royalties from it.

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   luvpassionposted 13 years ago

   We are surrounded by hero's the distinction between super-hero and hero is something to be considered...no one is bullet proof.

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      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yeah, that is true.  good point there.

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   Justine76posted 13 years ago

   I guess it depends on your definiton of "Real life super hero." I think there are tons of them. Teachers who take the time to go the extra bit and actually make a difference in a kids life. Doctors who will work at clinics, making far less money then they deseve yet helping people who are in need. A father who works 60 hours a week to provide for his familly witout complaint. A mother who stays up all night with a sick child. A freind who drops everything and drives 150  miles to hold your hand when you think your life is over. I dont think you actually need to "kick ass" to be a hero.

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      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yeah, i agree with you there.  i think anyone who fits into the description you just described is a autmatic hero in my book.  heck, i would also like to add that i think any american soldier who's fighting over in iraq and afghanistan right now, are the real life supermen as far as im concerned as well.

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      ThoughtfulSpotposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Justine - I think you've nailed it here.

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   TLMinutposted 13 years ago

   When you hit the streets ready to take them on, they disappear.

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      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yeah, that's true.

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   Stevennix2001posted 13 years ago

   i guess nobody else has anything to add. lol.

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   Arthur Fontesposted 13 years ago

   I think firefighters are superheros.  IMO  when everone else is running out our brave firefighters are rushing in to try and save lives.

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   cosetteposted 13 years ago

   well some guys try it like those dudes in New York who wore red berets and kicked a$$ but they were called vigilantes although i think people like that are kind of cool (except for that Dog The Bounty Hunter, he rubs me the wrong way for some reason). most people like you and i don't do that because we don't want to get arrested.
   
   p.s. and i think we have superheroes - our men & women in uniform. my nephew leaves for boot camp on the 26th and after that he will train for a year for service as an IED tech, then he will go to either Aghanistan or Iraq. i don't know why i mentioned this i guess i was thinking about him today

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      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      wow, you must be very proud of him.  if you ask me cosette, your nephew is a hero in my book.  anyone who's brave enough to fight for his country are the real life supermen as far as i'm concerned.

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      Arthur Fontesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      The Guardian Angels.
      
      They are still around, they just opened a chapter in New Bedford Ma.  They just keep an eye out in the neighborhood and call the police if there is trouble.  It took them awhile to get permission from the city.

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9. 0

   cosetteposted 13 years ago

   thank you Steven. i am. we all are. scared for him too. i had a hub about him, and my son, but i took it down because of all the forum drama. anyway when i think about him it feels like a veil is wrapping around my heart, or vapors, and i want to cry, so i don't think about that part. just him. anyway bless you for saying that. ((hugs))

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      Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      (hugs back) well, for what it's worth, i hope your nephew comes back home safe and sound soon.  as far as your hub goes, i can understand why.  in fact, i think with the mass hysteria this whole sock puppet fiasco has caused, it's making everyone uneasy.  even me as i just previously mentioned in another forum.  anyway, are you going to be okay though?

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      h.a.borcichposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry I am off topic...Cosette I will put him in my daily prayers. My son served in Iraq and I remember my first breath feeling better when I knew he was back on US soil. God speed and God Bless, Holly

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         cosetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         yes. even though i am delicate looking, my loved ones call me Old Ironsides, heh. i bend but don't break. you just gave me an idea for a hub. i will dedicate it to you since i thought i had lost my muse. thank you.
         
         
         
         
         they were kind of hot looking from pictures i've seen
         
         
         
         
         
         thank you to your son for his service Holly.

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            Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            wow, really?  you don't have to dedicate a hub to me.  however, i am flattered that you would say that though.  it means a lot coming from you, as i consider you one of the best writers here. 

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    angela_michelleposted 13 years ago

    I will be honest, I don't help people stopped by the side of the road, because I am a woman, and I'm afraid that they are just trying to get someone to stop by the side of the road to abduct them.
    
    I don't give money to a homeless man, because I am a woman, and I'm afraid of getting hurt.
    
    I don't help hitchhikers because.... well you get the point.
    
    My husband on the other hand does help these people, but only when me and my daughter are not with him. Plus he has told me never to help them for reasons I stated above. So I think people do not try to be a super hero because they are afraid of getting hurt themselves.

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    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    one must first define "Super Hero"

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       Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I thought all heroes were super.

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          Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          no.. guys like Aquaman were on a lower rung

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             Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             There was always something fishy about him.

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    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    At least he was cooler than the Wonder Twins.. remember them?

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       Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Guess not. was that the young girl and boy that had the dog?

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          Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          They had a space monkey named Gleek (no relation to yours truely)
          
          

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             Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             No, I don't remember them, Ive had a few beers since the 70's.

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                Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                lol... after about 6 or 7, I begin to think I am the guy on the left... 10 or 11, and i pretend i am the chic on the right,... and after 20 to 25, I'm the space monkey

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                   Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   It happens.

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    Padrinoposted 13 years ago

    I was thinking of Wendy,Marvin and Wonderdog from the original Super Friends.

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       Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Wendy was HOT

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          Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          She wasn't Daphne from Scoobydoo hot, but she would do in a rush!

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             Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Is it healthy and/or natural to get aroused be 2 dimensional cartoon images?

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                Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Doubt it, but do you care?

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                   Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   too late now...
                   
                   

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    ThoughtfulSpotposted 13 years ago

    Also, you have to consider the societal structures.  I may think that my form of justice is correct, however, I might not agree with yours.  In theory (although, admittedly it doesn't always work) we here in America appointed officials and institutions to be certain that everyone gets fair treatment and justice.  I don't think our system is perfect, but even if I did feel that I wanted to attempt the "super hero" life, I don't know that I have the right to be judge and jury.  There's a reason that a system of checks and balances were put into place.
    
    That said, I do not believe that our government and institutions are responsible for the behavior of the people in every instance.  I do think that individuals need to stand up.  I try to do what is right and abide by my own "moral code" - whatever that means - and, if I see that someone is being treated unfairly, I do try to speak up about it.  I try to teach my children to do the same.
    
    (I also agree with the "bullet proof" comment someone made.  I might be more inclined to jump off a building if I knew I could fly, so to speak.)

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