Be a Hero?

Sign in one of the elevators of our apartment building.

Personally, every time I see this sign, I think to myself, “Bullshit.”

I really disagree with the notion that what they describe in these pictures is heroism, unsung or not.

Seriously, since when is a mind-numbing addiction an accomplishment? I could make a far stronger case that people like this are victims than they are heroes.

And for the record, I’m not saying that all smokers are mind-numbed addicts, just the ones who do what is described in the above; my mother has been smoking most of my life, though she managed to keep it away from me at a younger age, and will still refrain from doing so in a good number of situations(unless something’s really changed since last I was there).

Personally, I think that makes her just a bit more of a hero than the above; she’s not enslaved by smoking, smoking does not dictate what she does or does not do; she FIGHTS whatever addiction and temptation that smoking throws her way.

She controls it more than it controls her. Took her a bit of doing, but at least it’s been done.

I dunno, not to go on about her, but I just think the term “hero” is thrown around a bit too loosely these days.

Reminds me of a Chris Rock bit(paraphrased):

“I don’t get it. People are calling Hillary Clinton a hero. She’s not a hero…… AQUAMAN is a hero. Dude can TALK TO FISH!!! All Hillary did was neglect her responsibilities as the first lady, if you know what I’m talkin’ about.”

Perhaps not the most shining example in my argument, but I think it still fits.

I don’t really know what I’m getting at, just wanted to get that bit off my chest, since that sign’s been bugging me for weeks now.

LBD “Nytetrayn”

David Oxford

David Oxford, or “LBD ‘Nytetrayn’,” as he is sometimes also known, is a freelance writer of many varied interests who resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.

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