Consider: there are people who like cats and there are those that like dogs. Cat people and dog people. They disagree on fundamental issues, but they are, at heart, fanatics. Fanatics get along with one another because they are, in all cases, about something. And fanatics understand fanaticism in others. Fans understand fans.

And they are drawn to one another. Cults, fanclubs, movements, personalities, pop cultural images, political icons. These are all caught up in the mad grab for the attention of the mob. The fans. The ones with no lives of their own, so must live through the lives of others. Supporting others who provide entertainment. Or leadership.

I believe that the vast majority of people want to be led. Don’t ask me why. Nationalism, rock stars and war heroes gain the same kinds of acceptance. Willing acceptance. People are willing, they convert, they are persuaded, they are absorbed. They decide.

Human beings can sense when they are being led and the responses vary. Some are indignant when they can detect the propaganda. They like to be fooled and are offended when the pull is too blatant. They like to feel that they are in control, even when they know that they aren’t. Others, though, enjoy the blatant grab for attention. It is refreshing to remember that the mob has a voice, even if it isn’t coherent.

But symbols are necessary. Icons are necessary. Figureheads are necessary. People need to believe in something. Don’t they? Think about it. Human beings are much better at focusing on other humans than they are on anything larger. Take events. It was Hitler and Tojo, not Germany and Japan. It was Armstrong on the moon. Heroes, demagogues, tyrants and leaders, the icons of the human race all have one thing in common: they were all human beings. Everyone shits. They all certainly did at some point or another.

The point is clear: these things can be done. They have been done. Circumstance and geography certainly play into the equation, but that does not change the fact that extraordinary things have been done. And can be done again. Human beings want someone to inspire them. It is a necessary thing sometimes. But when inspiration leads to worship, bad things happen.

People, you see, don’t want to be inspired. They want to be instructed. It’s a natural reaction to the randomness of life. And people are stupid. If you don’t tell them not to feed the bears, they won’t know any better. So people are content to take the term “follow in another man’s footsteps” in the wrong way. But that’s okay. It’s their life. It’s your life. You can live it the way you want or the way they want. It’s your choice and you are free to make it. Not them. You. They should simply remember that everyone has an opinion and if they have to assert yours over the tip of a sword, then they didn’t win the point of the argument. Their sword did.

In the end, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. Cats, dogs, Zeus, Rodman. Who do you worship? Was it really your choice? Are you absolutely certain about that?