The Real Meaning Of The Word "Hero"

CBS Evening News: In The Age Of Hyperbolic News, What's The Real Definition Of The Word?

(CBS)  In the TV News biz - we ruin a lot of words. We find a word we like and we use it and misuse it - over and over - until just about all its impact is ground out.

One word that's become nearly meaningless in recent years is this one: Hero. And it's a shame because it used to be such a great word.

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman said when he was a kid, a hero was an ideal.

Today, on the other hand, just about every soldier, civil servant and six-figure athlete gets called a hero. And although some may duly be - you sure don't have to be Superman to see right through the ones that aren't.

At the very minimum, to be a hero, I think you have to admit you took steroids before it shows up in the papers. Or no matter how much gold you win, you have to retain at least an ounce of common sense.

I think one thing we learned this week is that there's a big difference between someone who has a heroic moment - and someone who's a true hero.

When Captain Sullenberg landed that plane in the Hudson - that was a heroic moment. It made him the Michael Jordan of plane-ditching. But the way he carried himself on 60 Minutes - that was a hero in the making.

As long as he doesn't start partying with Michael Phelps, I think Sully deserves the title of hero. I think he deserves to be right there among the few, true, time-tested heroes who really define the word. Real heroes like Wesley Autrey.

"These kids today need somebody to believe in," Autrey said.

Autrey's heroic moment came two years ago when he jumped in front a speeding New York City subway train to save a stranger who'd fallen on the tracks. Wesley was a celebrity for a while - he got a mention in President Bush's State of the Union speech - and although the fame has faded, Wesley has never forgotten the responsibility of being a hero.

"It would have been in the paper, exactly," Autrey said. "When you've got kids looking up to you, you don't want to tarnish that image."

A hero only makes the news once.

"Yes, you don't want to tarnish that image," Autrey said.

Thank you, Autrey. Looks like the word's coming back already.

[mobius17]

I agree with Mr. Hartman. I had the same concern for the word "Outrage" and wrote a BLOG about it.

Burned Up With the Overuse of the word "Outrage"

Is everyone "Outraged?" You would think so if you listened to the news. Not being a betting man, I''ll bet anyone reading this blog that if you watch the news today or tonight you''ll hear one or more of the anchors report that some community or someone is "outraged." Outraged at this.... Outraged at that.... The word outrage can definitely be added to the list of overused words. It''s to the point that I cringe every time I hear it used on the news. It seems as if everyone is in an outrage about something.

Like "Hero" is overused or misused, would someone please clue our news writers and anchors in on their overuse of the word "outrage."

[libra217]

While we all cheer for Capt. Sullenburger, he is not a hero by my definition. All he did was land a plane under difficult circumstances, for which he trained extensively and got paid. Did he risk his own life to save others? No. He did his job well, that''s all.

Posted by DrPVenkman at 12:00 PM : Feb 14, 2009

I disagree. Capt. Sullenberg is definitely a hero in my book. He did more than "just land a plane safely", more than just "do his job well".

In a terrifying situation where many lesser people would have simply "lost it" or succumbed to their emotions, he instantly gathered his wits, did lightening fast calculations, used all of his training and experience to make rational decisions about what to do, and perfectly executed complex manuevers.

Knowing that 155 lives depended on his actions, he forced himself to set aside the natural emotions generated by the terrifying situation and acted calmly, coolly, and with great courage.

He then stayed on that sinking plane til the very end in order to make sure all of the passengers and crew in his care got off the plane safely. I think very few people would have acted so brilliantly and so honorably. What a hero ! What an inspiration.

[venkman]

It seems to me that if you want to bring meaning back to overused words, you should then do so in your examples.

While we all cheer for Capt. Sullenburger, he is not a hero by my definition. All he did was land a plane under difficult circumstances, for which he trained extensively and got paid. Did he risk his own life to save others? No. He did his job well, that''s all.

Now Mr. Autrey, on the other hand, is a genuine hero. He didn''t have to do anything, but put his own life, or serious injury, on the line to save a stranger. There was a real risk he willingly subjected himself to, and he took it to save another person. Hats off to the genuine article.

Before lecturing us on the meaning of "hero", Mr. Hartman should look at what real heroes have done, like Medal of Honor winners. Just landing a plane safely ain''t it.

[random_radar]

I use the word hero to describe someone who risks their life to save someone else''s life.

For me, the defining moment is when a person steps across the line from safety to life threatening danger because they see someone who will likely die if they do not help.

I know other people have other definitions, that''s fine.