Evolution Fist,
this is for you
http://europe.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/americas/01/13/cuba.obit.fuentes.ap/
Cuba Libre!
A āheroā is a literal thing from history. Itās not necessarily relative. The meanings that people put on the word may be relative, but the actual āheroā as a literal thing is not. All cultures and countries have had them, and they follow the same definition that I gave before. Thatās why I donāt think it should be thrown around. BUT aspects like compassion, wisdom, helping, loving, inspiring people to be their best, etc. These are all QUALITIES of the ātraditional heroā therefore they are indeed heroic. I wonāt argue with that. Yes, many people can show heroic qualities.
My point is that they are not a āheroā unless they fit the real definition throughout history. Itās kind of like saying someone is a āsamuraiā because he has some of their qualities (good with a sword, studies bushido, etc)
The two are NOT the same. 
Hope you can see where Iām coming from.
The word has been minced a little throughout history. It was almost like a titleā¦
But thatās not to say the things youāre talking about are not heroic. They most indeed are.
My favorite line of all times is from the Simpsons.
Homer: Come on Lisa! Little Timmy is a hero!
Lisa: Why is he a hero?
Homer: ā¦wellā¦uh he fell in a well, and canāt get out.
Lisa: How does that make him a hero?
Homer:ā¦well itās more than you did!
LOL
Ryu
The man of science in me agrees with you. The poet doesnāt.
ShaolinTiger, thanks. I just saw that guy on channel 13 (PBS) not to long ago.
An example of heroes
The men and women who freely gave up their Christmas celebrations to save other peopleās homes from the recent bushfires in Australia.
i havenāt read the thread yet, but
A hero does what he believes is right despite the consequences
i relize that there are holes in that def. but thats what i imagine a hero to be.
A true hero doesnāt do anything heroic ā he just does what he does. A person that goes forth seeking to commit acts of heroism and be remembered is not a true hero, regardless of what he does or does not do. He may be a hero to some, but not a ātrue hero.ā
A firefighter pulls a woman out of a blazing building, only to rush back in to save the womanās cat. The building collapses seconds after he rushes out with the cat in his arms. Firefighter suffers from smoke inhalation and some minor burns. When asked why he went back for the cat, he replies, āIām just doing what I do.ā And he goes out and does it again and again, always putting his life on the line. To others, heās a hero, to him, itās just a job. "Iām sure everybody else would do the same, " he says.
But the truth is that Iām not sure everyone would risk their lives for another person, much less a cat.
That in my mind is a true hero.