# Who is your idol?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [July 7, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886 "2013-07-07T18:57:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/21 "2013-07-12T16:12:46Z")
I don’t think you should have idols, it’s like putting them on pedestals.
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### Author:  [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/22 "2013-07-12T16:18:55Z")
Richard Stallman. The guy who started the [Free Software Foundation](http://www.fsf.org/), the [GNU project](http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/philosophy.html), and ceaselessly fights for freedom, privacy and software users’ rights.
He’s an old-fashioned nerd’s nerd from MIT, with all the social weirdness that entails, so sometimes he comes off as uncouth or even offensive. So he’s got plenty of detractors, even among people who otherwise would agree with his message and politics.
But I think he’s basically the Thomas Jefferson of computers, and as the digital age grows and software becomes more entrenched in our lives, he’ll come to be seen as a founding father and defender of our freedom.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/23 "2013-07-12T17:03:18Z")
Bart Starr, for over 50 years now.
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### Author:  [@DrunkenEconomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrunkenEconomist)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/24 "2013-07-12T17:06:33Z")
Dennis Ritchie, he helped create Unix and he also created C, which gave us Java, C ++ and C#. Without him we’d be years behind.
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### Author:  [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)
#### Post date: [July 12, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/25 "2013-07-12T18:12:11Z")
While I agree that idol is too strong a word there are certain people I admire:
Celebrities:
[Mr. Rogers](http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-moments-that-prove-mr.-rogers-was-greatest-american/) for almost single-handedly saving [PBS](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEuEUQIP3Q&feature=player_embedded)
Henry Rollins for his perspective, honesty and sense of humour. Some of the [funniest](http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=55e_1196847973), [most poignant](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGiYJhMqJxw) writing ever. For those who don’t know Rollins his language is DEFINITELY NOT SAFE FOR WORK. Also check out “The Tenacity of a Cockroach.”
George Carlin - For his points of view and his ability to punch through the hazy gauze of everyday bullshit and show you the heart of the matter while making you laugh at tragedy.
Non-celebrity
My father He is the most decent and honourable man I have ever met. From him I got my instruction in the value of integrity, honesty, justice. From him I got most of my politics and philosophies.
Were it not for what my dad instilled in me growing up I would never have been able to recover my 30’s from the maelstrom that was my 20’s.
Corny, I know, but true.
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### Author:  [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/26 "2013-07-14T04:24:58Z")
> [@Longshanks](#):
>
> I don’t think you should have idols, it’s like putting them on pedestals.
Dale Cooper belongs on a pedestal.
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### Author:  [@the\_O](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_O)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/27 "2013-07-14T05:06:24Z")
Albert Schweitzer, Martin Luther King, my dad.
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### Author:  [@Schism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schism)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/28 "2013-07-14T05:33:50Z")
Joe Strummer -The Clash
Ian MacKaye - Minor Threat/Fugazi
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### Author:  [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/29 "2013-07-15T15:54:13Z")
[Chico Scimone & Al Puma](http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message341055/pg1). I raced with both of them. Chico was a bit of a freak of nature to be able to climb into his 90’s. Al was still doing repetitive climbs into his early 70’s; one time up wasn’t nearly enough for him. Got to know him at the races, great guy too. Both set age-group records. I hope to be like them when I get old(er).
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/30 "2013-07-15T17:24:21Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#):
>
> I wouldn’t use the word idol but Tom Hanks and Walt Disney are two people I greatly admire.
Yeah, “idol” is greatly overstating it for me (I even shy away from “hero”), but for me it would be [Jim Lovell](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell). In equal parts for his participation in Apollo 8 and 13.
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### Author:  [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/31 "2013-07-15T17:37:09Z")
I’m a big fan of Baal, personally. I was into the golden calf for a while, but every time I mentioned him, people would go smashing their tablets.
Seriously, while ‘idol’ is, as many have mentioned, a bit strong, I respect and admire Jimmy Stewart. From a small town, he became an honest to God war hero, who portrayed many a honest and decent man and who was apparently one in real life as well.
Mr. Rogers is worth mentioning as well. So is Neil deGrasse Tyson (even if he did kill Pluto).
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### Author:  [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2013, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/32 "2013-07-15T18:56:19Z")
Sophia Loren, precisely because she is a flawed, down-to-earth, womanly human being who overcame early obstacles, who loved/loves much, and who seems full of life and passion. I couldn’t relate to any role model who seemed “perfect.” It’s the flaws that endear people to us.
I also have a great deal of admiration for Fred Rogers.
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### Author:  [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/33 "2013-07-15T21:29:33Z")
> [@panaccione](#):
>
> Recently, I’ve become a bit fascinated by Mr. Rogers.
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> Seems you’ve set the bar too high. [_I pity the fool_](http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/T/Mr-T-413140-1-402.jpg) who sets the bar too high!
By mentioning Mr. T immediately after a mention of Mr. Rogers, I’m afraid you’ve forced my hand:
[Mr T vs Mr Rogers. Epic Rap Battles of History](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZsKqbt3gQ0)
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### Author:  [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/34 "2013-07-16T00:36:31Z")
> [@Doggo](#):
>
> Dale Cooper belongs on a pedestal.
So does Mr. Rogers.
I don’t see anything wrong with having an idol. It’s merely a word used to describe someone that you look up to.
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### Author:  [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/35 "2013-07-16T16:21:15Z")
I’m 52, and haven’t had anything worth calling an idol in decades.
As a kid, Icould have named Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Rick Barry, Ken Dryden, Daryle Lamonica and a host of other sport stars. Later, I could have named some pliticians I admired.
But today? I still have people I admire, but I’m long past the stage of believing I really KNOW any celebrity or public figure.
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### Author:  [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/36 "2013-07-16T16:25:05Z")
My step-father. He took on two teens and my mom that had had a wreck of a life and damaged beyond belief and created an actual family. Not with money, not with forced labor and discipline, but with patience. He taught me everything I need to know to be a good parent.
Hey Pop, this one is for you. Cheers.
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/37 "2013-07-16T17:34:35Z")
> [@panaccione](#):
>
> I don’t see anything wrong with having an idol.
There’s nothing wrong with it _per se_, but for myself, it’s a question of feeling uncomfortable with the term. It has connotations that I’m not sanguine about. I don’t worship Jim Lovell, for example.
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### Author:  [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/38 "2013-07-16T18:41:07Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#):
>
> My step-father. He took on two teens and my mom that had had a wreck of a life and damaged beyond belief and created an actual family. Not with money, not with forced labor and discipline, but with patience. He taught me everything I need to know to be a good parent.
>
> Hey Pop, this one is for you. Cheers.
What a great tribute 🆒
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/39 "2013-07-17T22:30:37Z")
The Golden Calf
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### Author:  [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2013, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-your-idol/662886/40 "2013-07-18T10:44:18Z")
[James Harrison](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Harrison_%28blood_donor%29) (not the football player).
His blood contains something very rare that saves newborns with something called Rhesus Disease. The cure is apparently only available through his donations, and he’s been donating blood freely for over 50 years. It’s estimated he’s saved over 2 million babies so far. Apparently 1 in ten pregnant women get this byproduct of his blood as a precaution now.
Hopefully the medical experts here can elaborate. I’m not sure I understand his importance in it’s entirety, but I figure he deserves a statue or two.
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