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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jack7" data-source="post: 5653265" data-attributes="member: 54707">If it's the recent HBO one I have. I've  also seen a few others. One I think that was on Discovery, and one on the  Documentary Channel, and one maybe on G4. But I don't recall the names, of the  shows as it's been awhile.But most of the people I've seen in such shows  strike me far less as Vigilantes than as people who want to be "Vigilantes" (in  the sense of thrill seekers and the get into street fights with razor  blades).My feeling is that if someone wants to be a Vigilante to get  into fights then he's not a real Vigilante. You don't suppress crime, rescue  people, or so forth by getting into fights, especially not on the streets or in  public.And of course I'm not saying all of these folks are examples of  that motivation, and I'm of course not saying a real Vigilante should ever have  those motives. I'm just saying many of these shows focus on the dress in  costume, wear nunchucks and a mask type guy. (I imagine for the same reason that  comic books and films detail the exploits of costumed superheroes and not a real  Vigilante, because it's showier and more exotic.)But I don't think those  kinds of guys make a real dent in anything over time, nor do I think many of  them well trained enough to do so if they were capable. (This does not mean that  if they changed their methods of operating they couldn't, at any time, improve  their capabilities and effectiveness.)And of course there is nothing  remotely, in my opinion, more heroic about them than local street cops,  detectives, first responders, soldiers, or just plain old Citizen volunteers for  that matter. Superheroic, I don't see how that idea floats at all, other than  just as a sort of symbolic association with costumed comic book heroes.  As for helping out  the homeless or the poor or doing charity work - in my opinion anyone can and  most everyone should do charity work and engage in philanthropy. I think it's  good for a person. But you don't need special gear or masks for that kind of  thing. (Though good, solid medical training and proper psychological training  would probably help out a lot.)But again, I'm not against such people per se. And I'm not against  Vigilantes. My only point is that in real life there are wrong ways to go about  a thing, and far better ways to go about a thing, if you really want to be  effective at what you're doing. Personally I don't think these  "superhero show brands" of Vigilante are very useful or very effective. But if  they trained properly, had a real operating plan, joined an organization,  studied, and got some proper experience, then they could serve two separate but  related functions. As a team volunteer when necessary or needed, and as  a well trained and effective individual Vigilante with a plan and a real  purpose.I think the Superhero vigilante ideal is a romantic ideal, but  not an effective one. Whereas the volunteer, well trained, Militiaman or Roman  Vigilant or Volunteer Firefighter or Deputy Sheriff is an effective way to  operate.I'm gonna state this from my own point of  view. Not to be argumentative or even disparaging, but from my own observations.  I think many of these "superhero type" Vigilantes are less interested in  bettering the world and problem solving than personal excitement. (I've got  nothing against excitement and adventure in life, some of the volunteer and  Vigilante work I've done ahs been extremely exciting and rewarding, even  addictive at times, but to me that shouldn't be a motivation, so much as an  after-effect of actually accomplishing a real goal.) Problem solving (of big  problems anyway) takes real planning, study, preparation, training, and little  desire to dress flashily or call attention to your own self.Other Vigilantes, the Vigilant kind (retired soldiers, cops,  detectives, community volunteers, church workers, volunteer firemen, etc) are  usually far more effective, I have seen, because they are more interested in  problem solving.But although such people (real Vigilantes and  volunteers) are numerous, and highly effective, since they are mundane and not  flashy, and not interested in being flashy, they don't get much attention (then  again they don't want much - they'd rather be effective than  famous).If though I met such a "superhero Vigilante" (and I have) and he asked my  advice on what he was doing (and he could take it for what it is worth) I'd say,  hang up your cape and your crazy outfit son, get properly trained, study, pick a  problem or two you'd really like to take a stab at actually solving, exploit  your own real skills and élan a few new useful ones, and then go about actually  fixing whatever you can fix. And if necessary be on call in case there is a SAR  mission, or a natural disaster you need to help out with (and eventually there  will be).Your costume doesn't make you anything more than an easily noticed target.  And it and the way you are operating doesn't make you heroic, and certainly not  superheroic.If you want to be a real hero then be disciplined, study, train hard,  exploit what you can really do, and serve others first. Then you'll be one your  way. Yeah, maybe you won't stand out in a bright yellow costume, but then again  you won't need a costume or a secret identify either. You will be yourself, and what's best  about yourself, and that's the best identity you can have. Because it's real,  and it's useful to yourself, and to others.</blockquote>

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