Why has the glorification of heroism completely disappeared from contemporary society, and what effects do you think this will have for leftists?
I often times hear right-wingers make the argument that heroism has all but disappeared from society today. We no longer champion bravery, courage, conviction, determination, moral integrity, the ability to push through the tide even when the odds are stacked against you. These are all traits that should be greatly admired. As a kid, I remember watching films from the 90s like Schindler's List, Dances With Wolves, or even The Lion King which all emphasized this type of heroism. When I look at contemporary literature and film from the past 10 years I see none of this.
I often wonder to what extent a large part of this has to do with cancel culture, the #metoo movement, and now the Epstein files and their subsequent revelations. People who were once seen as heroic in some form or another are revealed to have been abusers, rapists, oppressors, etc. Think about how Noam Chomsky, one of the most beloved figures on the American left for the past 55 years, had his entire reputation destroyed after his Emails to Epstein were made public (I think back to how Norman Finkelstein said the first thing former leftists do when they become right-wing is attack Chomsky, because Chomsky is the epitome of a moral leftist or something). It's like we take it for granted that the people we love and revere are actually monsters behind closed doors. So the "answer" to this becomes simply: don't put anyone on a pedestal, don't admire anyone, "kill your heroes" lest your heroes be exposed as bad people.
I'm not trying to invoke the Great Man of History bullshit, but I thought this was an interesting topic to talk about. Does the death of heroism or "heroes" have any effect on the left? How are the left supposed to build morale if we reject heroism?
31 posts and 8 image replies omitted.>>2754911Don Quixote in the modern world would be someone who joins the communist militia in Myanmar and realizes that they're just selling drugs
>>2755284Judas and the Black Messiah is a great film that deals with political cynicism versus authenticity
>>2755304I'll watch it thanks anon
>>2754923>Don Quixote is mocking people bitching about chivalry being lostNo, it’s not. It directly satirizes works that were popular at the time, chiefly the book Amadís de Gaula.
>also it’s the first novel, so it can’t be satirizing novelsAgain, It's targeting established literary traditions, and it’s considered the first European novel partly because it was fortunate enough to be published closer to the advent of the printing press.