If you could make a difference...

If you could make a difference as a Hero...

Would it be a small difference to the whole world?

Or a huge difference to one city?

For this one poll, I would have no other option in between, like a mediocre difference to a whole state or country. For this one Poll, I would rather find out what would matter more to you all and how you all think about this sort of thing and why. Good ideas can be brought up and it would also help us all understand each other too.

I voted to make a small difference to the whole world. Granted, if I could make a huge difference to the whole world, that would be most preferable. But, for the sake of this Poll, I voted to make a small difference to the whole world, since my ideas and goals are more motivated by what I can do to save the world.

I'm not condemning anyone who thinks differently than I do, since I know we all have our own reasons.

When I patrol, of course I'd like to make a huge difference to that city. Knowing how I think, I'd still continue to do what I do regardless of whether or not I was making a difference, and if you want to know what I mean then take the Starfish Theory in to consideration there, or read about Deontology, and you'll understand my motivations. However, for hypothetical purposes in this poll, if I had to choose between the 2 options, I would also think about the other aspect of what I can do in this community.

In this community, yes we do what we can for our cities, but in a networking sense, we also do what we can for each other, and I hope that in the ways I can help the other superheroes, they can pass on that help to the whole world. Every thing I teach to another superhero that they use, to help someone else or teach someone else that they pass on and/or use to help people, it's almost as if I'm indirectly helping those people that they help.

I don't know, making a big difference in a city. That's just a city, but a small difference in the world. Hoping that would evolve to people waking up and realizing what that small difference meant.

I would say that each of us do much for his city, and the group that we are, do a little for the world.

Sorry for my poor English.

Doberman,
There are different ways to look at it, each with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages.

Andyman,
That is true too. Logically speaking, making a big difference in a small city is making a small difference in the world, in a sense. Although with this poll it's more about, if you could do a lot for a city, or if you could change in a small way, the whole world, as in a small part of all or most countries, if that makes sense.

You know I'd pick city.

Honestly? Not to be critical, but I think "small difference to the world" is a cop out. You and I know you will never be able to quantify that. You can always assume that difference is made. No one can realistically refute it. If they do, you can disregard them.

To make a large difference, even in one location, you're accountable. You can measure it. You can be a success or you can be a failure.

The real poll should be, can you be comfortable believing you are a positive influence and may or may not have any real impact at all, or will you push yourself to accept success or failure in a manner that can be quantified?

Phoenix,

Yes I knew you would pick city. I was actually thinking of our old discussions about this when I made this poll and was hoping you'd add your thoughts here to it and your reasons why.

And I do like your type of logic where you aren't the type to be satisfied because you felt like you made a difference, but rather had some type of way to prove it.

There could always be other polls like these and the more the better, and if I chose to make the poll you made, the answer that people would want to pick would be obvious, they would want to pick the 2nd one in the poll but in real life they would likely or could likely go for the 1st option without ever realizing it.

But, since this specific poll is purely hypothetical and if not to learn what to think or how to think, at least see how each other thinks and why, and then that would more likely make better if someone can show they follow a certain logic to it and show that our efforts can be more constructive that way.

The idea I was going for with my picking a lesser change in the whole world, is if in some hypothetical situation, I had the opportunities to either (I'll use random numbers, nothing needs to be exactly this, but just to give you a general idea of what I mean):

A- Reduce crime worldwide by 15%

or

B- Reduce crime in one of the most dangerous cities by 90%

(Irrelevant to the hypothetical but unlikely situation where, if mathematically possible, the 90% worldwide was 15% of the world, but you get the idea)

By those numbers, let's assume you did this for 20 years. In those 20 years you could've either:

A- Travel to a different country every year. Each time, recruit a team of individuals who are either already well-trained (the more preferable choice, if possible) or a team that can be trained, or a team of well-trained and not too well trained but the well trained can teach those without much training, then when you leave and move on to somewhere else to do the same thing, there is already a functioning team there. OR assuming your methods were proactive and effective enough even if working alone, it already had a lasting enough impact, as another potential scenario.

or

B- Stay in one city. Continue to build on that and work on that. As you and I have already discussed, the advantage to this one, and it's a huge advantage, is knowing your city. The people, the government, groups/organizations, gangs and organized crime and criminals, the patterns, the history, secret escape routes, hidden cameras, etc.

As always, a cost/benefit analysis can be taken in to consideration there. As for me, I have the 2 aspects of what I do as Tothian. The cities I patrol, and also this community I feel obligated to help in the ways that I can, so that they can better help their cities too. So realistically speaking, if we can do both, all the better. But, sometimes we have to choose the next steps toward being constructive, the best ways we can.

I would pick the city as well Most of the kids know me or know of me here as Polarman They know that I like to have fun play jokes ect

Polarman,

On the one hand, you're known worldwide. But on the other hand, you and the people in your city know each other personally, rather than just being known as like a celebrity.

True but its those here in Iqaluit who know me the most compared to those living elsewhere and hearing about me through stories and media

Then if you got to patrol other places, then the people would get to know who you are personally rather than only hearing about you from other people and media.

Make a huge difference in say...Chicago. You get notice by making a huge difference.....others follow your lead....so in the end you make a difference all over the world, but maybe not the whole world.

CrusaderPrime,

Even if not the whole world, I would count the whole world as many different places in the world, but the idea would be doing as much we can do in as many places as we can.

You do make a really good point in that you'll get noticed by making a huge difference, although where you make a difference and the level of difference you make would suggest how much one would be noticed.

As far as if you make a difference there, if you set an example for others in other places in the world, technically that is in a sense of leadership and inspiration, inadvertently making a difference all over the world. But, then again with both opposing views on this matter, one hand can wash the other. If you make a difference in your city you can inspire people all over the world like what you say, BUT also, if you make a difference in little bits all over the world, you could possibly inspire people you meet in each place, to make a difference in each of those cities you've been to.

I voted big difference in one city, for the reasons CrusaderPrime said.

Big different in one city means people will notice it. If I were an RLSH it would also be noticed that the difference was done by a Real Life Superhero. That would give all superheroes a good reputation - which we need.
Other RLSH will also see this, and be encourage to try to achieve a similar effect in their own city.

A small difference in the whole world, no one will notice nor appreciate.

C,

I do agree with your reasons why you believe what you believe, but, with all due respect, I very strongly disagree about the one part about one's person's actions representing all. I believe because of the fact of the individualistic ideals in which this community was founded upon, it would be inaccurate to say that the actions, words, beliefs, or motivations represent all. For better or worse, I don't believe anyone else accurately enough can represent who I am, nor do I believe that it would be fair for me to say that I represent anyone else but myself.

I believe if there's to be any image at all for this community, that it should be an honest - and/or - mysterious one. And to see the individuals for who they are and to not judge all of them by the action's of one. That idea actually helps us more. It doesn't let any fake tarnish the good, and it doesn't let the good settle for the good that they're already seen as, and would thus inspire them to do greater things.

Now, there are some people who agree that it should be that way, but still disagree that that's how the public does - or would - see it. But my answer to that is, what good are my words or image at all if my words aren't going to be heard? If they are, then I want my message to be understood as well. And if I don't feel my message is being heard, I'm going to try a thousand times harder to make sure it is heard. Here is a blog post further explaining my thoughts on that:

http://tothian.blogspot.com/2012/05/actions-and-standards-of-one-superhero.html

It will never matter how you or I want something to be understood. I understand what you mean though.

What I'm thinking, is that if a Real Life Superhero in suit is doing something good that affects a whole city on a big scale, then people will automatically link all Real Life Superheroes (in suit) with this other one. That's just how it works.

If it was a normal guy, or even a RLSH but not in suit, doing the same, then it wouldn't have the same impact.

Anything any costumed RLSH does, has an impact on the whole community.

RLSH's don't wear the C-word though, trick or treaters, actors, and cosplayers do. I have that word on word-censor here, for a very good reason. I don't want this community to have the idea that we are pretending to be something we're not, nor that we are playing dress up, nor wearing what we wear for image rather than functionality. I usually prefer to call it anything but that.

What types of impact do you feel the actions of one could have on all? Including both the good stuff and bad stuff?

I know what you mean about using a proper word for the outfit. "The C-word", as you call it, is indeed the least powerful of the choices, and that's why I was using it in this context, completely intentionally.

My point is, that whatever you do in public, while wearing your outfit, will have an impact on anyone else wearing a similar outfit. If you're dressed as a superhero, then people witnessing your actions will think other people in superhero-looking outfits will do the same. It's just how the mind of most people works.
The outfit doesn't have to have any other function than to serve as this symbol, in order to give people an impression of the RLSH based on the action of one.

There's a reason elderly people are afraid to go out alone. The News tell them that youngsters will do terrible things to them. Same reason why some people are afraid of anyone that appears to origin from the middle east, and why a lot of people don't like people because of their religion.

The outfit is a uniting factor for the RLSH whether you like it or not. It is what makes the world label you a "Real Life Superhero". (Depending on what The News call you, and/or how your outfit looks. If you're wearing very dark/scary stuff, then they might label you a vigilante just to sell their news).

Let's say Lunar Veil rescues some animals, and ends up in the newspaper, picture taking while in her uniform/outfit/suit/whatever and labelled "a Real Life Superhero". Her action will then automatically give a positive impression on everyone else in the world who's labelled "Real Life Superhero".

The Rain City Superhero Movement is making a huge impact on the whole community. Popularity of Phoenix Jones is still increasing fast, and in many cases, Phoenix Jones is the very reason why other people learn about the community and decides to join.
This is why the appearance of Phoenix Jones is important to me, and why I give feedback whenever I can.

But, (and I could just be speaking a bit biased in this sense due to my knowledge of both fictional and real life superheroes) is that they are all different, and that's what makes each of them unique. While admittedly each heroic act is in their own way part of a much bigger heroic puzzle, I as an individual in the world don't believe others can accurately enough represent me. I do believe that with all things, there will be some who see us as all the same, those are the ones who don't care to really look too much in to a quick glance and form their own assumptions on that, regardless of how good or bad we're presenting ourselves as or regardless of how we're portrayed, people will tend to form their own opinions in either support or against regardless.

I once got an email from a woman on YouTube some years ago, and told me she thinks it's good what we all do, bringing blankets to the homeless, picking up garbage, and reporting crimes, at the time I got offended because those are the things I DON'T do and aren't the main things our community does, just certain people, but I can't speak for them because we're all different. I was firm, honest, yet respectful in my message and she understood what I meant and it was cool. There are many who don't understand, I can only do what I can to correct any misconception I see, nothing more, nothing less. If I'm ever on patrol and having conversations about someone with this, or if I'm ever in any articles, I'll do what I can to make sure it's known that we're all different individuals, if that topic comes up. As for those who don't understand and make their own assumptions and never see nor hear my message, I can't do much for them but do understand that there are types out there, I can't confirm to an ideal of something I'm not, in order to please people who won't take the time to listen to what I am anyway.

I think Geist had a good message in a blog. While from what I do know of him based on our many countless discussions in general and especially about this subject, even though he is more likely to agree with your thoughts on this subject rather than mine about how good positive public image for one of us helps all of us, I do like what he said in this video, despite him using the C-word.

(On a lighter note, earlier tonight while eating in a restaurant with ShowStopper, I told her of how ironic, awkward, and funny it was telling C how bad it was to use the C-word. Even though different meanings to each C-word, the whole idea of the similarities didn't hit me till later after I said it to you. LOL)

OH- Anyway here is Geist's video, which I think sent a good, and needed, message:



If there ever is to be a universal message or ideal to be agreed upon by most if not all, is that none of us are perfect, but we all want to do good in the world in our own unique ways. Different from each other but that can be a good thing.

It is of course very true that we are all very very different. And I do agree that no individual RLSH can represent the whole community.
But that doesn't prevent the public from seeing it that way.

If a child visits the hospital, every worker there is doing very different things, but they're all (almost) dressed the same. To the child, they're all doctors. If just one of the workers there does something (unintentionally of course) that scares the child, then the child will be jumpy to every employee there. Every single employee there represents the entire hospital, whether they want to or not.

The public has a similar limited view about things they don't know much about. It's not that people are stupid. They're just limited.
Picking up garbage, feeding the homeless, that is very much what the RLSH does. It's just not what you do. But you can't avoid being represented by other RLSH because of the unifying factor: The label and suit. Feel free to explain people what it is that you do, but never degrade what other RLSH does. And remember, anything you do will make people think that's what other RLSH does too - and then they will have to explain too, hopefully without degrading what it is you do.

I would just love if the whole community could be one big family that, although we agree to disagree on certain matters, still consider each other as part of the big family, and still have a certain amount of respect for each other.

I know that message from Geist. Saw it long time ago, and yes it's very true what he says. But don't expect the public to know this.
If your mission is to enlighten the public, you might as well give it up. It's not possible.

That is a good point about the Doctors. But, Doctors are all dressed the same, and while there are different types of Doctors, they all fall in to a much more specific group of classifications than we do. Same thing when the uniforms match the others, they'll be considered to be the same way too.

But, take a look at some of the superheroes with brighter colored suits. And then some of the armored ones with darker colors, and they'll both represent a different image. And often design their suits in accordance with their missions. Not always but a lot of the time.

As for the other thing, it's not my intention to degrade what others do. I just don't want people to be confused about what I do or don't do, to any level I can help it. I don't want them to be disappointed neither, if they expect one thing and I'm not that. When I said what I said to that woman, I spoke more of a time before those were things people did as much in the RLSH Community. Back in those days, it usually was more of those either wanting to fight crime, or save people. But over time, it expanded to all sorts of different activities. I can't speak for all of them because of my little knowledge of every specific person and action. I can more accurately speak for myself and what I do know of those I do choose to communicate with.

It's true that it'd be hard to correct the public as a whole, as some people will never understand us the way we understand each other. With this I think of the Starfish Theory. So, even if I can't change the outlook of everyone in the world, I can only change the outlook of at least some of those that I do communicate with. I'm not the type to give up because I'm unlikely to reach a goal, I'm more likely to do all that I can to see to it that I do all that I can do.

We can make some change in the ways the world sees something, or we can make a world of change in the way some people see something. I can't say what my level of impact on this world will be, none of us can. However, our actions can, and time will tell.

About the hospital comparison, I meant that the child see all employees as doctors. Also those that aren't doctors, like e.g. nurses or surgeons. To the child, they're all doctors. There are differences in the clothes they all wear, but they're typically the same color, typical white. And that's what makes the child see them all as the same.

It's true there are different types of superhero suits, and a part of the public will no doubt see this. But I believe many still won't.

Well, to be fair, there will be many who will look further in to things and be willing to listen to what we have to say. And then, of course, there will be those types of people who if they see the article one day, look at the pictures, skim through what is being said, the next day they wouldn't even be able to pronounce our names accurately (except if it were someone like you, I hope you C what I mean. LOL Sorry man, I had to!)

Same thing with kids and the hospital workers. Some kids are smarter than others. I remember when I was in the Marines, and every time I was coming home from my Reserve Unit, was still in uniform, and when getting something to eat on the way home, if any young kids saw me, they'd always ask me "Are you in the Army?" I'd say "No. I'm in the Marines." so, of course, not everyone will always understand already on their own. I could only correct them and hope they would learn from there. If not, it doesn't change the puzzle piece that makes up the bigger puzzle of what my message really is.

"Many" is always relative to something. Regardless, it'll always be the majority who does not look further into things.

The Army vs Marines is a good example too.
And of course you can enlighten people one at the time, if they ask. In most cases they don't ask. They just label you what they think you are.

There's no way you can enlighten everyone. The public will judge you based on the actions of others. That's just how it is with people.

The News shows pictures of Army-guys in the middle east. I guarantee you, any kid who sees you in your marine uniform, will think you've been there too.

But it's usual a more casual type of judgment. If they don't take the time to really look in to it in detail, then they aren't really as likely to spend much time judging it. I'm not saying it doesn't happen at times, I just believe that any such image, be it good or bad, should always based on truth. And like with an example that supports what you say, a magazine. Nobody often reads every word of every page. They just sum it up.

Now, there have been studies that people already have their own opinions set in their mind, and often only read things or believe what they want to believe. Like for example, if someone is biased toward a certain person, and people say that person sucks because they did this or said that, people aren't going to form their beliefs based on description. They will usually have already made their mind up about people based on their own expectations and such.

A wise friend once told me years ago "You cannot change the world by conforming to it's standards." Which I really liked, because I often tend to do projects which seem like it could never happen. And hopefully that some day that's part of my legacy will be. That I went against the odds to perform missions I felt I needed to do. But that goes for all of what I do, both on patrols, as well as networking here.