Are heroes real, or are they simply stories we tell ourselves? Either heroes are objectively real-brave people who perform extraordinary acts of courage and sacrifice-or heroism is merely in our heads, a social construction shaped by culture, media, and wishful thinking. This debate shows up everywhere: in classrooms, in popular culture, and even among scholars who study heroism for a living.
Dan Barr, a former soldier who brought Liverpool parade attacker Paul Doyle's rampage to an end by climbing into the back seat of his car and moving the gear stick to park, has spoken out for the first time. The former soldier, 41, from Birkenhead, Wirral, said he doesn't think his actions were "anything special" and would "do it again." Mr Barr has been described as a hero" for his intervention.
Some songs don't just fill the air - they fill the soul. "The Impossible Dream," from the musical Man of La Mancha, is one of those songs. When Don Quixote raises his voice to "fight the unbeatable foe" and "reach the unreachable star," we feel something stir deep inside us - a reminder that life's greatest meaning lies not in comfort or safety, but in courage and conviction.
The two films embody a retreat from the dark, gritty, real-world templates that ran amok once the genre really took off over the last couple of decades. They offer a vision of heroism that includes self-sacrifice and protection of the innocent.
"On July 5th, 2025, Jeff Brady made the ultimate sacrifice when he gave his life to save two young boys, ages 10 and 12, from drowning in the river. Jeff didn't hesitate, he saw children in danger and acted without a second thought. That's just who he was.... a protector, a provider, and a selfless hero."
