Skills Heroes Need: Introduction
Jan. 14th, 2021 08:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithA human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
-- Robert A. Heinlein
I keep looking for a list of heroic skills, and the ones I find online just aren't all that helpful. They're too limited and/or too biased. So I'm going to explore some skills that contribute to saving the day. The more of these you acquire, the better equipped you'll be when things go wrong.
Understand that heroism isn't about superpowers or even the kind of first responder jobs that save the day every day. It's about heroic imagination. It is about noticing something is wrong, caring enough to do something about it, and having the resources to address it. Heroes bring out the best in themselves and in other people. These are things that anyone can do, each individual based on their unique set of knowledge and abilities. So the first thing you need to consider is...
What kind of hero are you?
This is an essential first step, because different types of heroes need different skills, supplies, and other resources. Prepare for the kinds of adventure you hope to have. Ask yourself the right questions.
What does a hero look like? It's not always what you expect.
What makes a hero? They tend to share certain traits. You can cultivate your heroic virtues. Just pick one and work on it for a while, like a week or a month, then move on to another.
Who do you want to be a hero to? Think about worthy causes and who or what you want to save. Choosing a cause helps you focus your efforts. Here are some ways to help and encourage others to help.
Fandom Wiki lists dozens of heroic types, with a thumbnail description of each category and sample characters who fit it.
Here are some conversation starter questions about heroes and heroism.
This Types of Heroes worksheet can help you learn how to identify heroes and what makes them heroic.
Heroes by Personality Type is based on the Myers Briggs assessment. If this tool fits you, then you may find it helpful to explore how it relates to heroism.
All genders can be heroic. Heras are female heroes. Herix is a heroic term of nonbinary or unspecified gender.
Consider why we need heroes. Their examples teach moral excellence and uphold cultural values. These needs and examples can inspire your choices as you build skills and seek opportunities to make the world a better place.
What is your life purpose? It's where different needs and aptitudes overlap in an area of maximum benefit. What can you do that others can't? Find out your life purpose by asking deep questions.
This worksheet on the My Hero Project and My Legacy Project invites you to think about how you define heroism and what accomplishments you want to leave behind.
To become a hero, focus on improving yourself and becoming your best self. There are general thoughts on how to become a hero and 10 Ways You Can Become a Hero.
A few places offer heroism training on heroic imagination.
This article asks whether you can choose to be a hero or it just happens to you, coming down on the latter argument. Of course you can choose: all it takes is picking the right job or volunteer opportunity, as mentioned below, that routinely entails heroic actions.
Some jobs involve everyday heroism. They left off tow truck driver, though. Pretty much everyone who sees those blinking lights approaching feels like they've been saved. Volunteers can be heroes too.
There are apps that promote heroics skills, knowledge, and actions:
* Be a Hero, Save a Hero (for emergency preparedness)
* CPR Apps (for cardiac emergencies, alerts, and instructions)
* Earth Hero (for fighting climate change)
* Emergency and Disaster Apps (for alerts and other information)
* First Aid and Survival Apps (for a wide range of knowledge, skills, & situations)
* Heroes Nearby (for giving and receiving help, intentional neighboring)
* Hero's Journey (for studying archetypes and stories)
Here are some real-life heroes who saved the world, with or without superpowers.
In asking what makes a hero, this study found that about 20% of people qualify as heroes. It also reveals variations, like the fact that black people are eight times as likely as white people to qualify, probably due to increased opportunities.
In case you're curious, I'm eclectic and have a wide range of resources, so I can take a variety of roles. But as a Bard, I am first and foremost an information dispensary. So my archetype is the Wise Guide: I help heroes prepare for their quest, answer questions, solve puzzles, and so on. Here's an observation that applies to all fields: If you're not making any mistakes, you're not learning, you're coasting.
The most important part is to be prepared. Practice skills in advance. Stock necessary supplies and equipment. Think about how you would respond if something went wrong. Because you never know when you might need it.
Masterlist of Entries
Skills Heroes Need: Introduction
Skills Heroes Need: Physical Fitness
Skills Heroes Need: Psychological Fitness
Skills Heroes Need: Physical First Aid
Skills Heroes Need: Emotional Skills
Skills Heroes Need: Self-Care
-- Robert A. Heinlein
I keep looking for a list of heroic skills, and the ones I find online just aren't all that helpful. They're too limited and/or too biased. So I'm going to explore some skills that contribute to saving the day. The more of these you acquire, the better equipped you'll be when things go wrong.
Understand that heroism isn't about superpowers or even the kind of first responder jobs that save the day every day. It's about heroic imagination. It is about noticing something is wrong, caring enough to do something about it, and having the resources to address it. Heroes bring out the best in themselves and in other people. These are things that anyone can do, each individual based on their unique set of knowledge and abilities. So the first thing you need to consider is...
What kind of hero are you?
This is an essential first step, because different types of heroes need different skills, supplies, and other resources. Prepare for the kinds of adventure you hope to have. Ask yourself the right questions.
What does a hero look like? It's not always what you expect.
What makes a hero? They tend to share certain traits. You can cultivate your heroic virtues. Just pick one and work on it for a while, like a week or a month, then move on to another.
Who do you want to be a hero to? Think about worthy causes and who or what you want to save. Choosing a cause helps you focus your efforts. Here are some ways to help and encourage others to help.
Fandom Wiki lists dozens of heroic types, with a thumbnail description of each category and sample characters who fit it.
Here are some conversation starter questions about heroes and heroism.
This Types of Heroes worksheet can help you learn how to identify heroes and what makes them heroic.
Heroes by Personality Type is based on the Myers Briggs assessment. If this tool fits you, then you may find it helpful to explore how it relates to heroism.
All genders can be heroic. Heras are female heroes. Herix is a heroic term of nonbinary or unspecified gender.
Consider why we need heroes. Their examples teach moral excellence and uphold cultural values. These needs and examples can inspire your choices as you build skills and seek opportunities to make the world a better place.
What is your life purpose? It's where different needs and aptitudes overlap in an area of maximum benefit. What can you do that others can't? Find out your life purpose by asking deep questions.
This worksheet on the My Hero Project and My Legacy Project invites you to think about how you define heroism and what accomplishments you want to leave behind.
To become a hero, focus on improving yourself and becoming your best self. There are general thoughts on how to become a hero and 10 Ways You Can Become a Hero.
A few places offer heroism training on heroic imagination.
This article asks whether you can choose to be a hero or it just happens to you, coming down on the latter argument. Of course you can choose: all it takes is picking the right job or volunteer opportunity, as mentioned below, that routinely entails heroic actions.
Some jobs involve everyday heroism. They left off tow truck driver, though. Pretty much everyone who sees those blinking lights approaching feels like they've been saved. Volunteers can be heroes too.
There are apps that promote heroics skills, knowledge, and actions:
* Be a Hero, Save a Hero (for emergency preparedness)
* CPR Apps (for cardiac emergencies, alerts, and instructions)
* Earth Hero (for fighting climate change)
* Emergency and Disaster Apps (for alerts and other information)
* First Aid and Survival Apps (for a wide range of knowledge, skills, & situations)
* Heroes Nearby (for giving and receiving help, intentional neighboring)
* Hero's Journey (for studying archetypes and stories)
Here are some real-life heroes who saved the world, with or without superpowers.
In asking what makes a hero, this study found that about 20% of people qualify as heroes. It also reveals variations, like the fact that black people are eight times as likely as white people to qualify, probably due to increased opportunities.
In case you're curious, I'm eclectic and have a wide range of resources, so I can take a variety of roles. But as a Bard, I am first and foremost an information dispensary. So my archetype is the Wise Guide: I help heroes prepare for their quest, answer questions, solve puzzles, and so on. Here's an observation that applies to all fields: If you're not making any mistakes, you're not learning, you're coasting.
The most important part is to be prepared. Practice skills in advance. Stock necessary supplies and equipment. Think about how you would respond if something went wrong. Because you never know when you might need it.
Masterlist of Entries
Skills Heroes Need: Introduction
Skills Heroes Need: Physical Fitness
Skills Heroes Need: Psychological Fitness
Skills Heroes Need: Physical First Aid
Skills Heroes Need: Emotional Skills
Skills Heroes Need: Self-Care
(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-17 12:15 am (UTC)Yes ...
Date: 2021-01-17 12:24 am (UTC)Re: Yes ...
Date: 2021-01-17 02:04 am (UTC)An amazing amount of 'save the world' is the same as 'be the mom friend.'
Clean up, calm feelings, coach behavior, say no nicely, say no less nicely, know how to say no to people who don't listen to you (or possibly anyone) saying no, do the Mom Glare, pack snacks/medical stuff/sanitizer, sit the deathwatch, watch kids, watch 'adults' who should have common sense ... somewhere, plan food, plan entertainment, validate feelings, coax sick people/pets to eat, (know how to) fix things, know when to walk away, know when to call in the professionals...
Re: Yes ...
Date: 2021-01-17 03:59 am (UTC)The term for that is "emotional labor." People demand it, for free, of women and become enraged if it is not provided. They also demand it of poor people, black people, and other disadvantaged groups.
https://medium.com/@HARLOT/what-s-it-worth-to-you-charging-for-emotional-labor-is-an-inherently-feminist-act-195e7b979300#.9dtd6n4x0
https://the-toast.net/2015/07/13/emotional-labor/
https://ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com/5829822.html
... aaaannnnd I just realized that is what SPOON does to superheroes. O_O
No wonder Kraken gets so many converts. Supervillains will tell you to clean up your own fucking mess if they don't feel like helping. And blue plate specials will give you a price estimate.
Re: Yes ...
Date: 2021-01-17 05:02 am (UTC)I have had occasional luck joking about "Stay and do this [paperwork] with me...or give me $50." Usualy they'll laugh, say they don't have the $, and hang around. (To clarify: I am helping with paperwork, not doing the paperwork.)
I wonder...people talk about emotional labor and economics using a capitalist framework. Has anyone modeled it with a different economic metaphor? I think a gift economy might work well...
Imagine a world where everyone feels sorry for ol' Bob up the hill, who sneers at making cards and never asks about new babies and refuses to help with the annual potluck! :D
For that matter, economic measurements are all done in capitalist form. What about gift economy, barter, tracking wealth producers (farmers, craftspeople, etc) instead of money-handlers/traders, quantity of possesions...
>>... aaaannnnd I just realized that is what SPOON does to superheroes. O_O. <<
If people appreciate you and help you and you can say no, then it's not so bad.
If you are expected to do it, or can't say no, or have too much work with too little help, or get people whining about stuff while not helping...blegh.
I at one point (a few years ago) stopped emotional-labor-heroing for someone because they could not remember to adhere to my safety protocols (cancel if someone is sick). And the reason I had the protocols was mostly to protect someone else I was emotional-labor-heroing for, who really shouldn't get sick. (And yes, I didn't want to get pinkeye or something myself...)
Hmmm...I wonder if there's a word for anti-emotional labor, work which is done with the intent to make the recipient feel safe/loved, but just makes them feel like...well, a 4-letter word.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-01-19 04:20 am (UTC)Yes ...
Date: 2021-01-19 04:35 am (UTC)But when the shit hits the fan, heroes are the most likely people to notice it, be willing and able to respond accordingly.