Heroes

I don't believe in celebrity.

That's not to say I don't believe in fame. I think that being recognized for the work you have done and who you are (good or bad) is a good thing. I'd like to be known someday as a great game designer, and hopefully that reputation will help me sell more games.

But I don't like the idea of turning famous people into gods -- consuming the lifestyles of people we barely know, glorifying them as exemplars when (most of the time) their morality is worse than our own. That's why tabloids and celebrity gossip has always made me uneasy.

Let's take Weird Al.



 I like Weird Al's music a lot. He is one of the world's greatest parodists, and his original work is funny too. Everything I've ever heard says he's a pretty nice guy, a respectable guy. It's good to hear he's a good guy, at least. But I don't know him. Even if I meet him, I won't ever know him. he could be a despicable person. His music brightens my day, but that's the extent of it. So I don't consider Weird Al to be my hero, or anyone other celebrity, for that matter.

My heroes are the people I've met who have impacted my life in profoundly positive ways. My mom, who has homeschooled eight children and put up with all the fighting and bad attitudes all day for thirty-some years now. She always puts her family first and doesn't always receive the recognition she deserves.



My dad, whose dedication is apparent in everything he does. When he sets a goal, his discipline and hard work consistently allow him to reach that goal. He, too, has given up a lot for his family.

My high school geometry teacher, Scott Hinkley, who was one of the first people to believe in me. To tell me I had talent. Who could always tell when I was down on myself and would try to change my perspective.

These are the people I look up to.

But despite that, they are still people. They say to never meet your heroes, because you may not like what you see. But it's important to remember that everyone is disappointing. Everyone you know and love has probably done something recently that would disappoint you if you knew.

So while I consider these people my heroes, I have to remember that they are not perfect. I take what inspiration I can from them and I move on using what I've learned. And eventually maybe I can become a person that I would want to have as a hero.

I don't know what the point of this post is. I don't have some great message. I'm just writing my thoughts.