loonyblog.

Questionable logic.

There's a brief article on NewScientist.com that suggests that people who look at Superman as a role model are less likely to help other people. The logic being that "to compare themselves to an exceptional individual makes them realise their shortcomings."

I question that logic. By the same token, you would think that any artist who looks at Van Gogh for inspiration, no writer who looks at Shakespeare, no musician who listens to Beethoven and no basketball player who looks up at Michael Jordan would ever be able to accomplish anything. While I'm no researcher, my guess is that this sort of thing only occurs in insecure people who are intimidated by greatness. Most people, you would think, would not be so timid.

Of course, the entire nature of this study is questionable. They asked people if they would be willing to volunteer for a fictional community program after listing the characteristics of superheroes (and specifically Superman). What one has to do with the other is beyond me.

Posted by jason at November 25, 2004 11:24 AM | TrackBack | Read more: Geek Culture , Superman