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The blow-hard, the bully, and the antagonist have been with us since the beginnings of societal structure. Those with strength are regarded as powerful, power is appealing, thus there have always been those without strength who seek to claim power through bluster. In primitive survival situations strength is rather easy to define and determine, difficult to fake. Our society has become so complex and virtualized perception has become more powerful than fact leaving us far more vulnerable to fakery and manipulation.
To be idolized as a hero has historically required overcoming all obstacles, defeating all opponents, proving oneself to be the best. Lead the troops to victory, sell the most albums, score the most touch downs, win the most Oscars for performances in a leading role. To be hailed as a hero has historically required being a champion of a particular contest or cause and thus been an honor reserved for those with the strength and skills to achieve noteworthy accomplishments.
The bully, historically, has been viewed as the opposite of a hero. They are someone who victimizes only those weaker than themselves in order to manufacture an appearance of strength, a nemesis to a hero, who invariably and inevitably…