(the bloody photo won't post, so here's the link:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/mediablitzpics/blog/obama.jpg
I feel like people who want to consider themselves heroes, such as Obama (who eventually very well could be a hero if he keeps the promises all pre-presidents make), are making a transition to become icons/celebrities so the young people will connect with them. Gone are the days of the stoic sage being looked up to by millions as an iconic figure. Now, if you're not hip, you're not hip basically. With today's media/social marketing/etc, people simply MUST be icons or celebrities to get any type of notoriety. Eventually they may become heroic in history's eyes, but it all starts somewhere.
34 comments:
It really depends on what kind of hero you are talking about if the hero needs to be a celebrity. A child can see his father as a hero without being a celebrity. I think most of the true heroes were not popular when they were in their prime. I really don't think politicians become heroes until they die.
Obama is an icon and represents something, but he will not become a true hero unless he delivers what he has promised and it withstands the winds of time.
I agree with brett. A hero is kind of a status that comes to famous people after their time. Unsung heroes are more likely to be identified during their lives. I often identify qualities in people that I admire and wish to gain myself. I would probably label these as a role-models. A hero is more of someone you will forever look up to because you feel you will never be able to become what they have, but you will try. Take the quote from sandlot, "Heroes get remembered but legends never die."
Well said Brett, Obama has gained his status because people are clambering for change and he has fulfilled that need (for now). If his is able to solve all economic problems, get the country out of debt, stop all war and find endless sources of energy - then we can talk about hero.
I would have to agree with Brett as well... Obama is the celebrity of the presidential race, I don't think he's any hero (yet). I think you need to earn the title of hero, and I don't think it comes easy. Hero's must prove themselves to be a hero because it's society that tells them whether they are that hero or not.
I'd say that a hero lies in the eyes of the beholder. A hero to me, might be a hero to someone else. I think that type of hero you get from our parents generation would differ greatly from the heroes of the rising generation. It seems the heroes of the past were heroes because they did something or achieved something that was truly remarkable. Their influence can be felt and see by many.
Today's heroes see to apply only to certain niches. There are heroes in the music world, heroes in Hollywood, political "heroes" (Obama). However, the difference today is that these heroes only seem to last as long as their popularity. These heroes will be forgotten as time goes on, but the heroes of the past are the ones that will always be heroes, even though we weren't alive to be a part of what they did.
With the new SNL sketches, I think Palin will give Obama a run for his money for the title of political celebrity. I think Obama has the potential to become a hero to the american people if he can fulfill all the promises for change he is making. Only time will tell. However, I think that he has definately cemented his place in history as an american icon, at the least by becoming the first ethnically diverse presidential candidate.
I don't know much about politics either. But apparently Obama had made his way to be recognized by people like me. It is true that in today society, a lot people tried their best to achieve the icon/celeb status. However, I don't think they try to be called hero or anything. The heroes from previous generations didn't do what they did to be called heroes. And neither are the people at our time. I agree with Mitch that history will decide who is the hero and who is not.
Yeah, I can see what you're saying. Just this past weekend Sarah Palin was on Saturday Night Live. But Obama, Mccain, and even Hilary Clinton each took a turn at making fun of themselves (while plugging themselves) on SNL. It seems that if you can't make fun of yourself on this "hip" show, you aren't cool enough to be an icon.
It does seem that as far as political heroes go, you have to connect to the youth somehow.
The problem now-a-days is that too many people are trying way too hard to become celebrities. I would guess that the majority of them are only in it for themselves. These people ARE NOT heroes. They have done absolutely nothing heroic.
I don't know if anyone else noticed this but the first thing I thought when I saw the cover of Rolling Stone I thought it looked like they were trying to make Obama look like a superhero. It seriously looks like he is about ready to rip open his shirt and reveal his secret identity of ObamaMan!
I found it very interesting the way they visually portrayed him as a hero.
OBAMAMAN TO THE RESCUE!!!
I think this is so true, especially after watching Sarah Palin on SNL the other night. She is more of an entertainer than a candidate, but people seem to like that for some reason. I think this is happening because politicians aren't stupid they can see that people love watching celberities and knowing everything about their lives, so it makes sense that they would try to create that kind fo fasccination about themselves as well.
This reminded me of the commercial that McCain put out comparing Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I do agree that Obama has this celebrity status that is amazing. I think he is an amazing man, but I just wish he had different beliefs. I hate McCain and Obama so I'm pretty much screwed as to having a presidential hero. I don't think Obama will ever be a hero, but he is definitely the icon of 2008.
I think this idea of today's heroes starting out as icons is really interesting. I kind of see the Beatles in the same way...they started out as popular singers, but they went on to make heroic contributions to the world. I agree that for now, Obama is just an icon...I guess we will see if he becomes a hero.
Obama already is a hero to many, for better or worse. Let's see if he can become a good leader, and not just a great public speaker.
I agree with your idea that hero's are only created through time. Hero's are people who last through cultural trends and different eras, they have done the things that last, they have changed history, not simply recorded a song that made it to the top of the charts.
I disagree with the idea that a current people who are aiming to be heroes focus on becoming an icon. I feel like these are the people who will become neither. Heroes are built through time, and icons are built through society's following.
Obama has potential, but I agree he is not a hero at all and has a long, winding road to becoming one. No matter how much "love" he is getting now, his approval rating will fall and there will be broken promises. In my humble opinion, I am sure people will be disappointed with him. Anyways, he is iconic - these days the process of becoming heroic is longer and almost post-death. Maybe in your waning days like Mother Teresa, but for the most part it's a honor granted after death. However, let's say Obama turns out to be one of the best president of all time. Then the way that he rallied people as a president will be the process of creating heroic status. He can be a hero to somebody, but it takes hindsight to grant that title.
The young generation loves Obama! He has successfully become an American icon because of his smooth talking, big promises, and most importantly, he's got the look! However, he is definitely not a hero (yet). A celebrity is what I'll call him now.
This post reminds me of another celebrity/icon/politician- Governor Schwarzenegger!
http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/time-cover.jpg
I just love this guy, and check out that belt!
i really don't see any of today's icons becoming heroes. and if it does happen somewhere down the road, i'll be sad for our generation. JFK, MLK, Britney Spears? it just doesn't fit.
while of course i will vote, i'm just excited for the race to be over. i feel like it's dragged on long enough. i agree with sable, i don't think obama is a hero yet. he hasn't done anything to prove that he is. saying words and having ideas doesn't make you a hero. acting on those things does. guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens...
I agree with Nathan all Heros are judged on their actions and not their promises! I think Mitch is taking it a bit far by saying "Obama (who eventually very well could be a hero if he keeps the promises all pre-presidents make), are making a transition to become icons/celebrities so the young people will connect with them" Obama's picture on the front of the rolling stones magazine is just 1 factor among many to gain the votes he will need to win the presidency. I don't think he agreed to being on the cover thinking, " oh man... after this magazine is published I am going to the next big celeb!"
Obama really has become a celebrity as well as a politican. He's able to keep up with the time. In my opinion, McCain really hasn't achieved celebrity status, though Sarah Palin has.
For Obama to be a hero, like everyone else has said, he'd have to follow through with what he's promising us. But even so far, he's a hero in his own right because he's broken racial barriers. A black man for president would've neverhappened 50-60 years ago.
I think that I am of the opinion that we really can't quantify a time period that makes a hero. Heroism comes from the audience to which someone is heroic. I agree that many people aren't recognized until after their time, but I don't feel that that means all heroes aren't made until later...a few examples to make the point....
1. University of Texas fans made Vince Young a hero the moment they won the National Championship against USC. Despite his struggles in the NFL, he is still a Texas hero.
2. Michael Phelphs became an American hero in the course of two weeks. He serves as a hero and example to youth of our generation.
3. Whether you agree with him or not, Obama is a hero to his followers. It's funny, you don't see this as much with McCain supporters, but Obama supporters LOVE Obama. To them, he is the hero they have been waiting for.
Heroes are defined by the audience to which they are a hero to. Hence why a child's hero could be his father, even if to the world, he may not be define as "heroic"
yeah i think that it is really interesting how big of an impact mccain's age is against obama's youth! I've seen pictures in magazines of obama with his shirt off at the beach right next to mccain with an old man look on his face and his bright white hair. I think that obama is getting a lot of support because of his iconic assets, like his youth, black skin (i'm 100% not against having a black president, but i do think that some people want him to win simply BECAUSE of his color), heroic speeches put to a music video with tons of celebrity supporters involved. it is insane how well it is working with the youth- i gotta admit, it is a pretty smart way to get support in today's pop culture obsessed world.
This kind of sound like something McCain said about Obama. He called Obama a celebrity like Paris Hilton and Donal Trump. But from our reading I guess McCain might as well have called him an anti-icon.. Anyway back to the point... Paris Hilton retaliated and had this to say
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHd2crpMpaI&feature=related
I couldn't get the entire ad on it's own. I just thought that it was hilarious...
If Obama does win the election, and he does stay true to his promises, he will be a hero to many Americans. Our country is craving for change. We want to see it happen, and we still have some hope that it is possible. But change cannot happen over night. I believe it will take several presidents and support of the American people in order for this to happen. We all have the potential to do heroic things. I just think sometimes we are scared to try.
It depends on the Hero you want to become, if you want to appeal to the younger crowds you have to market yourself to them but if you go after older people you market yourself to them! So i don't necessarily agree, saying you have to be a pop icon to be a Hero! There are many who arent!
I think everyone wants to be a hero. The difference with icons and heroes versus celebrities to me is celebrities are famous for being famous. They may have done one thing in their lives, but generally they're just famous. Icons have a longer lasting fame and are more well-known than celebrities, the word iconic actually means something. Heroes are known for their actions.
I can't believe the Rolling Stone is changing its format! That's what made it cool. It will take me a while to adjust because the size made it stand out from other magazines. Now it's just lumped in the same catagory as People, Time, and OK!.
Is Obama the hero we all want him to be? I hope so, if not, God help us all.
well said! doubtfully obama will not keep all the promises he's made, but he will probably remain a hero to those who voted for him, because they'll be ashamed if they all of a sudden aren't supporters once he's elected.
I don't really think presidents or presidents elect are necessarily icons until they do something great. What has Obama done for this country so far, except make clear the lines between Democrats and Republicans and divide them further? You have your Clintons who are icons because of their time and experience with the country, the Bushes, who are as much infamous as they are iconic, but who really cares about Obama if he loses the election? Does sparking a media frenzy really mean Obama is a lasting icon for our generation?
As far as politicians go, yes, they would all love to be revered as heroes. But as far as vote-seeking goes, becoming iconic is the way to go.
To have your image be synonymous with a certain principle or ideal should be every politicians ultimate campaign goal.
-Michael Williams
I do agree with what you said how society simply doesn't think you're hip if you're not hip. It does seem simple enough. I think when we look at how icons become heroes nowadays it has really changed from days past. I think the heroes of today aren't held up to the same standards as say Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., and others.
To add to some of the interesting thoughts already presented, I'd like to say that NO politician is a hero in my book ever... period. A leader can be and maybe history will decide that about Barack Obama, but I think we as the public are being duped into believing that any of these politicians are the genuine article. The just want the office. I also think that it's a shame that leaders have to become politicians and pander to the masses through the media. Why in the name of all that is holy should it be a requirement for the potential leaders of the free world to appear on programs as daft as Saturday Night Live, Letterman or the Daily Show? (Sorry Letterman you were relevant 10 years ago, but you're slipping in your old age).
I think now we're faced with media constructed outlooks and definitions of heroes. They're not necessarily defining what it means to be a hero, but defining the candidates to be/ or not be heroes.
I agree with the majority of these posts as well. Most of our current icons haven't proven themselves yet or even had time to for that matter. So a hero may not become a hero until after they die or perhaps they aren't noticed until the end of thier life. But a hero takes guts and time to create.
I pretty much agree with everyone. Celebrities do not necessarily mean hero or the either way around.... looking for more to say... but that's pretty much it...
Post a Comment