Economics of heroism: Can we learn from golf and athletics?

Why should selecting our heroes be mired in controversy? Don’t heroes emerge naturally even among the animal kingdom? Seen a single male antelope commanding several females? Just visit Nairobi National Park. 

Selecting heroes is akin to examining students; it should be objective and above reproach. That is why students are advised not to write their names on exam answer sheets. That is why we should not supervise our in-laws or relatives for their thesis

We have a council to do the heroes’ selection. How independent is it? How specific is the criteria? Why can’t we outsource selection to an independent entity, hopefully a group of volunteers with no vested interests?

Why not get a group of eminent persons to do the selection? Or even a consulting firm. 

We should not be surprised that the heroes section is controversial. It gives you a head start in politics and other areas. The current system of selecting heroes looks like setting an exam and marking it yourself. Rarely have heroes been demoted.

Being declared a national hero is akin to getting an honorary doctorate. It can take you far.

Few know the difference between an earned doctorate and an honorary one.

How many know Richard Leakey, Kenneth Kaunda and Robert Ouko had honorary doctorates?

That took them further than those who spent four or more years earning a PhD. Some, in whispers, are on the streets demanding higher pay.

Titles and honours are now the preferred route for upward mobility. They are cheap and effective.

And the masses will not question your titles or credentials, just as they don’t question the sources of money given to them during campaigns and other forums. 

Luckily, heroism obeys the laws of economics. The market easily identifies fake products and services, no matter the money put into the advertisement and public relations.

Why do we buy Toyota? Do we all want to attend Ivy League universities? Why do we eat at vibandas, yet they do not advertise? It’s much easier to identify fake credentials in the delivery of services. You do not have to be an expert in medicine or education to identify a good doctor or teacher.

One thing that has perplexed me is why my teachers became less motivating and passionate as I moved from primary school to university. Did the rest of you notice that? Any explanation? The market for heroism is more efficient today than in the past; we can get all the information about heroes online. Heroism can’t be about public relations; it must be about something tangible, something one did and has possibly an intergenerational impact.

What’s the impact of Wangari Maathai? Kimathi, Kimyole, Muindi Mbingu?

Science Nobel prize winners? Why do we give such prizes so little airtime? Should they not be breaking news?  Intergenerational impact should be the key criteria in selecting heroes.

Let me select my heroes, emotionally, not scientifically. At the top are farmers who ensure we eat every day. If you grew up on the farm, you can easily identify with the heroism of farmers.

Under the mercy of nature, but never giving up. Managing crops and domestic animals may be easier than managing employees in public and private firms. But it demands patience and hope. If you have witnessed a drought, then you can attest that farmers are true heroes.

Two, is babysitters. They ensure the next generation grows into adults.

Third is anyone who has defended freedom and liberty in war, from world wars to Mau Mau. Now share your top three heroes.  

Recognising heroes has economic benefits; it motivates the next generation to aspire for greater achievements. Such aspirations pull the whole economy along, like the engine of a locomotive. It’s more effective when heroes are sector-specific.

Who are our heroes in education, in media, in philanthropy, agriculture, fishing, SMEs, health, and herbal medicine? Sports, music and acting are given too much weight in heroism, courtesy of publicity.

We can borrow from sports in selecting our heroes. In athletics, we see you run; in golf and football, we see your scores. Why can’t we come up with a well-publicised criterion in every sector?

A website will let us know the score of each potential hero. It’s embarrassing to have your heroism questioned. Voting won’t work in selecting heroes. And you know why. 

We also need to devolve heroism. Why can’t counties select their heroes using a preset criterion? Heroes have impacts at different levels; some at international, national and local levels, even village (kijiji).  Despite celebrating Heroes’ Day next week, many are still asking who Kenya’s true heroes are. Help me identify them. Finally, let’s be a bit philosophical and ask: should we declare living people heroes?

Why not let the person leave this planet first? That will ensure potential heroes will continue working towards heroism all their lives. It’s easy to “sleep” once declared a hero.