Wednesday, January 01, 2014

The Missing Myth

Herrada's book has some good stuff, plus a lot of bloviating. But this bit was disappointing (though not unexpected):

Today heroes no longer levitate, battle dragons, or transmute lead into gold. Instead, they land on the moon, promote world peace, or become the first African-American elected as President of the United States of America. Those are the new heroic acts of today.

Herrada, Gilles (2013-02-21). The Missing Myth: A New Vision of Same-Sex Love (p. 292). SelectBooks, Inc.. Kindle Edition.


Really? Is that all you got?

The occasional surprising gem amidst oceans of mush.

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I haven't read the book, so take this for what it's worth (not much): is it possible he's suggesting that today's notion of heroism is utterly weak and insipid in comparison to that of the past?

OreamnosAmericanus said...

No. He think's it's great. Now we have Bono and Obama as heroes...

The book so far is like Swiss cheese. Very good stuff riddled with holes.

Anonymous said...

When my more pessimistic moods take me, I've pointed out to my male friends how late in life men start accomplishing stuff compared to our forefathers. A century ago, men used to run businesses and enter long, happy marriages at my age. Even further back, they were discovering the secrets of Nature and composing symphonies. And over a millennium ago, a 21-year-old man could be a king. Now we're glorified high school students. Egads.

Call me strange, but the prospect of traveling back in time to be the chief of a Celtic or Germanic tribe, even if I have to give up modern amenities. Comfort be damned, some mastery of my own fate would be nice.

-Sean

OreamnosAmericanus said...

BTW, any fallout from your "outing"?

Anonymous said...

Nothing has come of it. The people in my fraternity either don't care or they're waiting for me to come out to them formally. Which I am so grateful to them for.

-Sean

OreamnosAmericanus said...

Good to hear.

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