Well, today has been much like yesterday, sleep and work. Can you think of a better activity to do with your weekend? Me either. Last night I did study my Thermodynamics, and it is no longer ‘clear as mud’ so to speak. I still have more to do, but the biggest part of the ‘catch-up’ is behind me for now. And now for something completely different:
Hunter S. Thompson, 7-18-37 to 2-20-05
I realize that I am a couple of days late on this, but this month is the memorial for the passing of one of my heroes. A lot of you may be wondering why he is one of my heroes. That is an interesting subject I put a lot of time and thought into myself, and is also going to launch an ‘essay’ of sorts. So here we go:
On Heroes and Idols
In our society the people we look to for inspiration, guidance and strength are considered to be our ‘heroes’ or ‘idols’. However, in our social structure, they are not always perfect people. In fact, the farther we stray from fiction (both literary and cinematic), the less perfect they become. Most fictional heroes now are considered to be flawed, or have some personal struggle with their specific moral issue or challenge they are confronted with. Moreover, the days of the awesome Sports Star or the Superman are over. With that being said, to idolize someone is almost a lost cause, or a sort of Nihilism that we are forced into, and near the point of ‘defeating the purpose’ so to speak. So why bother?
We all need someone to look to in our times of trouble and self doubt. Not only that, but we need something to aspire to as well. We need a goal to achieve, something not just for comfort, but something ultimately to make us a better person. We always look to our heroes for these standards. And with the above mentioned circumstances, the question is still posed: Why bother? And now there is another: How will these inherent needs we have be filled now?
To use Hunter S. Thompson as an example, the physical person of Dr. Thompson was a drugged out journalist, a womanizer and a drunk past his prime. It’s not those specific qualities that I find fascinating, or make him worthy of being a hero at all, but in any hero you should not look at he flaws and failures and short comings. They are human after all, and if anything, that can teach us that since our heroes are not perfect, then we should understand that we are not as well, and more importantly it is ok not to be perfect, just be as perfect as you can be. This is a subject that I have had a great deal of concern with, and something that I will probably be dealing with for a lifetime. However, when the solution is present, or as I see it in this case, there will always be a road to travel. I have many other examples of my personal heroes: Albert Einstein, who called himself an emotional failure (2 failed marriages) and graduated college with a C average, and became one of the most influential and recognized people in Physics next to Newton. From Russia with Love, who comforts me when I am down, and tells me that she loves me anyways in spite of myself. In fiction I have Spiderman and Batman, both confronted with doubt in their abilities and what exactly is right and wrong, and need to look for guidance themselves to become the legends they are. And last nut not least: my parents, just for putting up with me and my weird ways, and that’s the least they do.
Now back to Hunter Thompson, the spark of this rant. It is not his irresponsible self destruction, pervasive drug use or near complete lack of adherence to federal law that I find worthy of Idolization, it’s the fact that he always walked his own path. All of my heroes have, and give me the courage to do so as well. They took what they had and chased their dreams down whatever road they reside, sometimes to success or failure, and other times to ends that will live forever beyond the means.
T
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