Heroes are Ordinary People whose social action is Extra-Ordinary/ who ACT when others are passive, who give up EGO-centrism for SOCIO-centrism.
Interpretation
The quote highlights that true heroes are regular individuals who take significant actions for social good, prioritizing community over self.
In this quote, Philip Zimbardo emphasizes that heroism is not limited to the extraordinary or superhuman but is found in regular people who choose to act decisively when most remain indifferent. By advocating for a shift from ego-centrism to socio-centrism, Zimbardo suggests that true bravery lies in selflessness and the willingness to engage in actions that benefit society.
In practice
During a speech on community service, one might use this quote to inspire volunteerism.
Before I knew that a man could kill a man, because it happens all the time. Now I know that even the person with whom you've shared food, or whom you've slept, even he can kill you with no trouble. The closest neighbor can kill you with his teeth: that is what I have Learned since the genocide, and my eyes no longer gaze the same on the face of the world.
Boys' brains are being digitally rewired for change, novelty, excitement and constant arousal. That means they're totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static, interactively passive.
Evil is knowing better, but willingly doing worse.
Time perspective is one of the most powerful influences on all of human behavior. We're trying to show how people become biased to being exclusively past-, present- or future-oriented.
Many cults start off with high ideals that get corrupted by leaders or their board of advisors who become power-hungry and dominate and control members' lives. No group with high ideals starts off as a 'cult'; they become one when their errant ways are exposed.
Bullies may be the perpetrators of evil, but it is the evil of passivity of all those who know what is happening and never intervene that perpetuates such abuse.
For the sake of a dying, suffering world count the cost, pay the price and set the captives free
I'm grateful for rain because, when I was kidnapped, that meant that I had something to drink.
There is... nothing greater than touching the shore after crossing some great body of water knowing that I've done it with my own two arms and legs.
My own feeling is that one should refuse to participate in any activity that implements American aggression - thus tax refusal, draft refusal, avoidance of work that can be used by the agencies of militarism and repression, all seem to me essential.
My father was convinced the Taliban would hunt him down and kill him, but he again refused security from the police. 'If you go around with a lot of security the Taliban will use Kalashnikovs or suicide bombers and more people will be killed,' he said. 'At least I'll be killed alone.'
As long as hope remains and meaning is preserved, the possibility of overcoming oppression stays alive.
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