Influences: Fantasy can inspire real life
Mikey 6 comments
Long before our parents asked us what we wanted to do with our lives, or before our guidance counsellor tried to pigeon hole us, we all had a fantasy idea of what we wanted to be when we grew up.
I see my little girl at just 4 years old who longs to be a princess when she grows up (she already is in my eyes!). When I was her age all my friends wanted to be astronauts, fireman, cowboys or policeman. All cool and interesting occupations that would actually be achieved.
But for me, and for reasons I can't explain, my idea of cool and interesting was a little more 'out there'. My hero, the person I most wanted to be like, was real fantasy. He wore a blue shirt and could knock a man out with a pinch to the neck. He sported black bangs, played three dimensional chess and lived his life around one simple premise: Logic. His name is Spock.
To me the pointy eared half Human half Vulcan scientist is still the most interesting and complex character in the entire science fiction universe. Among other 'peculiar' traits he chooses diplomacy over confrontation, and always takes the route dictated by logic. I tend to follow these same ideas today except logic doesn't always apply. As much as I appreciate logic I have found since being a parent that decisions coming from the heart occur more often. Spocks' human side would understand but he would never admit it. In any event, growing up I always tried to at least let logic be a starting point with decisions, and I am certain Spock planted that seed.
So where am I going with this? A friend with whom I lost contact a long long time ago went into a law career, and said he was inspired as a child watching by Perry Mason. I want to know if your childhood hero has played a part in where you are today. Perhaps they planted a seed that inspired your career, or maybe influenced you in some other way. You might be surprised when you think hard about it, to see similarities between your heroes' traits and your own.
Joe Marco
Monday 17th March 2008 | 03:19 AMThe Holy Trinity of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. Star Trek has always had great moral and philisophical lessons to offer, and such a show should be used as a learning tool for children.
All three characters definitely influenced me as a child, and as a man. Sometimes I can be very passionate about things and can only hope for my logical sense to calm me, but sometimes you just got to fire from the gut and get it done.
Another Hero of mine has always been Bruce Lee.
Jim-Just a Guy
Monday 17th March 2008 | 03:47 AMFrom time to time I like to go back and watch old Bruce Lee interviews. The man was truly one of the most amazing people that ever lived. His philosophy was the way he lived. I have always admired him but it was not until later in life that I truly appreciated him for the incredible person he was.
Anders
Monday 17th March 2008 | 12:22 PMI'm a doctor damn it! Not a brick layer!
Wazza
Monday 17th March 2008 | 06:44 PMI always wondered how many male hookers were inspired by Kirk.... ;-)
Tuesday 18th March 2008 | 12:14 AM
...in response to this comment by Wazza. That was funny.
Jim-Just a Guy
Monday 17th March 2008 | 02:00 AM(she already is in my eyes!) Spoken like a true dad. I think a lot of us dads see our little girls the same way.
As for me my hero was actually Capitan James T. Kirk. He was bold and brash. He was a man of action. He was a sneaky sucker too. He knew sometimes you had to break the rules to do the right thing. He stood up for the little guy.
Over the 10+ years I have worked primarily in management. Those above me loved the results I got but did not always agree with how I got there. My subordinates respected me because I would go out of my way to stick up for them. I got in more trouble over the years trying to do right by my subordinates instead following the company line (Prime Directive)
I also was intrigued by Spock. I loved in the later movies when Spock said "Logic is but only the first step to attaining wisdom" or something very similar. I believe it was in Star Trek 6 The Undiscovered Country. As sad as this may be, but it was seeing that movie and hearing that line that took me from Christian upbringing thinking that the only answers were to life were in my faith. It opened my eyes to the idea that faith and science could be brought together to find the meaning to life. However I do respect that it is the individuals choice when it comes to matters of spirituality.