DarrenBarefoot.com

Gore doesn’t qualify, according to wikipedia: Albert Arnold “Al” Gore, Jr., (born March 31, 1948) is an American politician, teacher, businessman, and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice President of the United States in the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001.

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Chris: I don’t know, are you a ‘well-known touchstones’?

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I don’t think you should have criteria like education and salary when identifying role models. I know some people who haven’t been to university but are good role models when it comes to healthy living, good manners, and helping in the community.

For the purposes of limiting it to the criteria mentioned I would say Michael Schumacher, Les Ferdinand, Ian Rush, Seán Óg Ó Halpín, Mick Galwey, and Jamie Oliver. The names you don’t recognise are well known in Ireland.

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Jon Stewart for sure. Funny, smart, irreverent, and good looking to boot.

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Stewart, Colbert, Brian Williams, Jason Kottke, Seth Godin…

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Darren, why do does your friend want someone whose educated and with an above-average income as a role model?

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Most sportspeople cheat (sorry is bending the rules the correct phrase) so discounting Schumacher on that basis is harsh I feel.

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I think he’s too old, and I don’t know quite how many of the other criteria he meets, but I’ve always looked up to Bob Geldof. A bit rough around the edges, but talented, devoted, intelligent and humanitarian.

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It’s a relief to hear someone else use the “D” word about George S.

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Let’s trek back to the original list. Lance Armstrong? I thought he was under suspicion.

I don’t consider him a roll model any way.

And, going back to the criteria, what consistutes educated? Rick Mercer didn’t compelete high school, so where does that put us now?

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I guess he’s looking for male role models in his age group, so my role model doesn’t apply. That is, my father just turned 60.

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Jeff, you’re point is well-taken, however, I think what Darren is referring to is the lack of positive male role models in the media. We’re all well aware that positive male role models exist in many of the communities we live in. And these people definately exude certain qualities: leadership, intelligence, positive thinking etc. But you can’t discount the impact that movie stars, public figures and celebrities have on the young growing up, especially considering how much T.V. and movies they tend to consume. I know I did. That’s what he’s getting at. And this is something I definately agree with. Somehow, the media in the fifties, sixties and seventies was better able to communicate basic notions of manhood through the characters they depicted. Let’s take a look at some of the stars who dominated during this time–
Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Yul Brynner, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper–just to name a few.

These guys were traditional, strong, silent types that you don’t see nowadays. At least, as much. I think the reason for this is the fact that Hollywood has reached a pinnacle in liberalism and feels that any screenplay or storyline that showcases manhood is somehow suspect or unfairly alienating to women. Now, the only depictions of men you find are either A) Lovable, but dumb himbos B) Obnoxious, beer-guzzling, chauvinistic men C) Meak, hen-pecked husband types. These portrayals of men are cliched and demeaning. And they’re damaging our youth. Even young men are affected; they dress like overgrown children. Just think when was the last time you saw a movie that really captured what it means to be a man–doing the right thing, being smart, staying strong in times of turmoil? It’s always some far-fetched, action-thriller involving assassins and guns. It’s like watching a comic book now. Where are the real-life situations represented, but from a man’s perspective and how he deals with them? “The Wrestler” was an attempt at that. But that’s about it. It’s something more guys should be speaking up about.

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