A Hero

My friend Rob showed me an interesting quote from Ayn Rand's book The Fountainhead.

"Jules Fougler said in last Sunday's Banner that in the world of the future the theatre will not be necessary at all. He says that the daily life of the common man is as much a work of art in itself as the best Shakespearean tragedy. In the future there will be no need for a dramatist. The critic will simply observe the life of the masses and evaluate its artistic points for the public."

It's Rob's premise that nothing is heroic any more. It's just as interesting and fulfilling to watch regular people doing regular things. From Survivor to Big Brother to The Bachelor and all the incessant cable reality shows. We are a culture obsessed with watching ourselves. And it doesn't take greatness to be famous or talent to be emulated or intelligence to be rich.

I guess that's really not the first time we've heard this though. Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead was published in 1943. As for nothing being heroic, I think she would optimistically disagree.

We all need a hero once in a while.

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need

I need a hero
I'm holding out for at hero 'till the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero 'till the morning light
He’s gotta be sure
And it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life
Larger than life

--Bonnie Tyler