Chixe

Hunter S. Thompson. The dude's a God.

If I could become even half as notorious as he was, I'll be happy.

And to have your ashes shot out of a cannon into the sea when you died? (By Johnny Depp, no less.) That's just awesome.

Fiction or none fiction?

Hannibal Lecter has always been my role model. Smart, charming, refined, manipulative and misunderstood. If I could be as brilliant as he was, I'd go places.

Sure, he did eat people. But more often than not there was a point to all that. But by God did he ever do that in style.

Yeah, I've always wished I was able to eat people in a more stylish manner.

I was thinking nonfictional.

Kind of makes more sense to idolize fictional characters, as they generally represent perfect ideals. We mortal humans are nothing to idolize, imperfect, decomposing and partially complete.

I can think of no single person that I consider my role model. I see it more like a puzzle of multiple people (so my role model is a fictional character composed of features from many real people).

I've always looked up to my mom and my brother.

Someone in real life?

That would be Carl Gustav Jung.

Father of Modern Psychoanalysts and the person whose words changed my life when I was in a darker time of my life. Most of what gave my life meaning was based on his works into the collective subconsciousness and duality of the psyche. It helped me understand my own shadow and with that gave me a way out from my own misery.

Can't have a greater role model than the person who's life's work saved your own life.

Jung was a serious trip. My psychology teacher had a hardon for him.

I'd have to go with Jay Bakker, son of Jim and Tammy Fay Bakker. I won't explain why, but you should read his book.

It's difficult to peg one person as being an overall role model. Instead I find it easier to pick out pieces of someones character that stand above others.

An example of this might be Dean Martin. Most of us think of him as just another member of the Rat Pack with a great voice but many don't know what kind of work ethic he had. He was the one member of that group that never turned down work when it was offered to him. He felt that he was fortunate to have been given a distinct voice and took every opportunity to share that gift whether it be concerts, commercials, or childrens records.

I would not say that Martins life was that of a role model but I would say his work ethic is something that many of us should emulate.

Me.

jmathias.

Actually, Wallace Stevens. Great American poet. Lawyer. A little grumpy. Told the truth. Thought hard about things. Loved chocolate. Wrote poems in his head while he walked through Elizabeth Park in Hartford, CT at lunchtime.

batman is pretty sweet. but he's probably fictional ;)

My grandmother; she was a professor of anthropology and my most significant role model.

She got it all done.

My mom. And Ayn Rand. :)

The apostle Paul.

estarla, Ayn Rand is a good one. Have you actually taken the time to read her non-fiction?

Mine would have to be Kurt Vonnegut. A guy who grew up like a million others and eventually came to speak for a generation. Plus I just love the voice he carries in his books. I'd give anything to write like that.

@carmadyarc: I wish I'd read more, but only The Virtue of Selfishness and Capitalism thus far. Now I'll (maybe have the discipline to learn to set aside reading time, get off the internet and) read more. :)