RLSH - Organizaing

Real Life Super Heroes Organized

The history of this forum has withstood multiple debates surrounding the organization of RLSHs and sadly the classic comparison of RLSHs to a herd of cats is often proven as one of the best descriptions, when it comes to RLSHs working together.

There were fights in which no one wanted a leader. A lack of agreement in direction was a constant whisper often disrupting any movements forward. Rank, titles, job functions would bounce in and out of conversations as visiting relatives, long-lost. Even the idea… and actual design of an agreed upon logo could not survive the like and dislike power of internet-courage and opinions, while sitting behind a keyboard.

As a watcher, I have also wondered, ‘Why?’

I do not have an answer.

Last week I was approached by an employee of one of my clients and we struck up a conversation about helping others and giving back. He told me about an organization he joined called, ‘Team Rubicon’. The organization started in 2010 – amazingly, back in the days of the old RLSH forum.

The guy I spoke to, I will call him, ‘George’, is a 52yr old, active outdoorsman. He is also an attorney at the office I take care of. I asked him how he did it, and he simply said, ‘you have to WANT to.’

For him, doing good, was as simple as that.

These guys would get together and share their skills with one another by training their specialties to each other in classes. Last month they had a class on using a chainsaw. Another one of the guys, who worked for the city, gave a class of using heavy machinery, and yet another taught people how to drive a tractor-trailer.

While some of these sound like common skills, it was amazing how many members had never used a chainsaw, drove a tractor-trailer, shot a gun (and learned gun safety), or backed a pick-up truck with a trailer attached.

They created their own certifications, awards, and methods of recognition, as well as found ways to give back. Many of their operations were done on the weekends and spare time. In fact, he told me about one of the operations they are passionate about, is going to certain neighborhoods to destroy condemned homes, shacks, and abandoned structures.

They actually organized, worked with the city and gained the permission to perform these actions by ensuring that each person involved was trained by their organization. Now, they travel around getting involved in disaster recovery and other events around the world by replicating their model. Here's the clincher, They receive tons of donations and also apply for Grants.

When I spoke with George, I could not help but to wonder if THIS was how the Real Life Super Hero movement could have been… and/or SHOULD have been.

This community has gone back-and-forth with posts on martial arts techniques, gadgets, weapons, armor, and heck, even hotwiring cars… but, when it came to truly organizing to do good – silence. None of these things are about coming together to do good. They sound good. They can protect you, keep you in shape, and help you to kick butt... but honestly, are these things about doing good or being 'cool'.

The most critical component of Action is Movement.

Now, it seems the entire RLSH movement has drifted into cessation. Is it really over or did it slide back into the shadows? What is going on?

Team Rubicon
Link: https://teamrubiconusa.org/

-Omen, "Heroes aren't made during good times!" - The Elite Forces Division

In hopes of trying to help answer your first question of "Why", I can only assume that there are fights within the community in which no one wanted a leader, because superheroes tend to be of the Type A personality, and consequently, see themselves as a leader, and it doesn't often, if ever, occur to a leader to seek out a leader to lead them. A lack of agreement in direction was a constant whisper often disrupting any movements forward for two reasons in my opinion: 1) Superheroes are by and large considerate individuals, and thus feel uncomfortable with moving forward on something when there's too many dissenting views; many hope to find a solution we can all agree on, but such a task is nigh to impossible considering that there's nothing "official" about the RLSH. We're just a bunch of random people whom for whatever of a variety of reasons decided to put on a costume and follow their hearts and dreams; become or even pretend to be the person that they wished they were...not a person that someone else decided for them that they should be. 2) Because newcomers to the RLSH are receiving mixed signals; the right message of the RLSH being a Community or a Sub-Culture, and they grandiose and incorrect notion that the RLSH is an organized Movement. The RLSH isn't a Movement, nor is it an Organization....nor...in my personal opinion, should it be. ...The RLSH is a community for everyone; everyone who wants to make a difference while wearing cape, or cowl/mask and/or tights. I hope this helps answer the first part of your message...now in regards to the second part:

George seems to have found a very nice team to work with; but in my opinion, no, THAT is not what the Real Life Super Hero community could have been or should have been. We aren't a small group; we don't all live in the same cities or even countries. There are thousands and thousands of us out there; how can any one person be expected to organize and manage all of them? Perhaps a better question, who the hell would want to? We all come from vastly different cultures, backgrounds, and legal structures; hell, some of us literally don't even speak the same language. 

You can organize a small group of people. In a small group, Socialism actually works pretty good. But if you try to force that on a group of tens of thousands? Bad shit happens. Look at the world. Look to history. .....Superheroes aren't any more infallible than anyone else, thusly, such a concept would fail time and time again, as it has all throughout history. Go to any Socialist country on the planet of a significant size, and you'll find you'll be missing the good ol' U S of A pretty damn fast; the peoples of those lands literally make rafts from garbage just to get the hell away from there. Humans are selfish. We're opinionated. We're stubborn. We're prideful. We're driven by instinct. Only a concentrated group can brainwash themselves so thoroughly as to override their own natural humanity; that's why the military doesn't train their soldiers in mass numbers of thousands. Why? Because there'd be some dissenting views, and in a large crowd disciplinary measures for disobedience are difficult if not impossible to enact; it's far easier when there's only two rows of bunk beds to worry about as opposed to 1000 rows of bunk beds. Keep the group small enough, and it'll always be easier to manage, and in time they'll be able to accomplish amazing things together, because they've all chosen to be united in a singular cause......and I'm sorry Omen, but you just can't expect thousands of random strangers to commit to something so drastic as trying to mutate them into anything that even remotely resembles a team, however, take solace in the fact that within this community, there are teams, as with any other Community or Culture. 

And now to address the final part of your message: 1) Becoming a superhero is cool; if it weren't, there wouldn't be so friggin' many of them running around out there. Everybody wants to be "cool"; it's a basic primal survival mechanism; being cool makes people like you, which makes you friends, which strengthens your chances in a fight with the sabertoothed tiger kicking down the door to your lovely little cave-home to eat you and your Cave-Wife and Cave-Kids and Cave-Dog....did cavemen have dogs? I'm sure some must've lol. No matter! The allergory works nonetheless: Being cool has protected people since the dawn of our civilization, and anyone who says they DON'T want to be cool is just a LIAR lol. XD

....Is it really over, or did it just slide back into the shadows? Nope; it's definitely not over. I see no difference in the community on other social networking sites where they reside; just here. And why is that? Well, it's because Urban Avenger has both 1) Denied any new members from joining unless he approves their account. and 2) Has been on hiatus from this site in favor of facebook for reasons unknown.....and if you're thinking I'm the reason, just stop it already; it's insulting to Urban to think he's really that that shallow and weak, not to mention deluded to think I really hold THAT much emotional power over Urban Avenger. The dude can get rid of me at any time; maybe he should too, but at this point, my reason for being here remains the same: People like you kept attacking new members and falsely accused them of being 204. If I disappeared again, then those doors are flown wide open again, and you'd probably end up inciting mass hysteria. Again. -_- 

...And I'm kinda sorry if that sounded a tad uncouth; I took quite a beating today and I'm just in kind of a foul mood in general....but, I think I'm managing to not let it ooze out too much lol....no pun intended, ugh. 

--204

This is what I envisioned for my efforts. Groups of citizens with a variety of applicable skills, gathered together for neighborhood watches and outreach efforts, sharing their expertise

I think you brought up some pretty good points, 204 (excluding your side-comments, in the final paragraphs). There are a few I would like to push back on though, such as the Leader aspect. I can digest the concept of many RLSHs viewing themselves as Type-A personalities, but I often wonder if they actually see themselves as true Leaders… or merely Individuals.

Great Leaders know when to follow, for this is what makes them well rounded. Remember, at any given time a person is either a Leader, Follower, or Individual.

When it comes to RLSHs, you might actually be bringing up a great point that should come out to be debated. The more input we have on something like this, just might, highlight key areas that would be more advantageous to discuss.

As for ‘George’ and Team Rubicon, is begs to question, “Is the idea of a Real Life Super Hero based upon Intention, Action, and/or Results – when it comes to the community? Which one should have the greatest emphasis?”

In my book, going out in a team to clean up after a storm is inspiring. Isn’t this what we look to our superheroes for? Watching an accountant using a chainsaw, work beside a taxi driver performing first aid, while being led by a bus-driver during inclement weather is BEYOND motivating!

On the Teams, no one holds your outside occupation as rank. These guys care about what you bring to the table to help others in need.

Isn’t this the baseline of Real Life Super Heroes?

Trading off phone duties on the weekend is just as important to the Team in the field, cutting bushes to clear out blind spots at traffic spots. The electrician gaining permission from the city to perform these acts is just as critical as the librarian who volunteered her time to coordinate the logistics with team members from neighboring cities.

In other words, no single person is doing everything and everyone is a hero.

In my opinion, this is an awesome operational model that could work well by the few… as well as the many, if they so, chose to work as one. It harnesses Intent, Action, and Results.

I think I kinda see things much like, Anyman.

-Omen, "Heroes aren't made during good times." - The Elite Forces Division

I agree with you both Omen & Anyman it would be nice to have some form of organization here imagine being able to work virtually anywhere under the RLSH umbrella with other members I do agree someone or a select group need to lead the charge

I remember the XJL and the Initiative talking about such programs. Sharing their knowledge with each-other, cross-training, collaboration...

@Omen: My apologies for the side comments in my final paragraph. 

I suppose what I meant in regards to leaders not often seeking leadership from others, is that when you're in a real position of leadership, you feel a sense of responsibility for the rest of the team, and it's just not natural/professional to pass that responsibility off to someone else by seeking out another leader to lead the leader. If you've been designated the leader, LEAD. But you're absolutely right; the best leaders are the ones who have mastered the art of Following. Future leaders had to have a leader themselves that lead them to becoming a good leader. I may also perhaps just not be using the word "Leader" as loosely as you are; when I think of a leader, I think of my Squad Boss on a wildfire, or the Incident Commander for a better example. NONE of us are trying to lead them, and we'd probably get penalized for doing so, much like how the Incident Commander could get penalized for letting others make leadership decisions that they aren't qualified to make, and that are actually his own responsibility to keep. I guess I've just been trained to see it as un-professional for a leader to show signs of insecurity or doubts, which seeking outside counsel could be indicative of; Leaders should know what to do and how to lead without the help of other leaders. 

"Is the idea of a Real Life Super Hero based upon Intention, Action, and/or Results?" In my personal opinion, Results are the only thing that really matters; the ends always justify the means. I'm largely utilitarian, philosophically speaking. But again, who's to say what's really right? Could take a while to sift through 7000000000000 opinions, cross referencing the answers to form a base/majority haha. I guess the only right thing for anybody to do is whatever they feel like doing in the end by the time they've finally made up their minds. 

Personally, I don't look to our superheroes for inspiration; I look to them to go above and beyond the call of duty and do whatever it takes to defeat the forces of evil, whether or not people like them for it or approve of it....again, I guess I just think results matter more than intentions or actions; we all know what the road to Hell is paved with. When I want inspiration, I listen to music; occasionally I see it in the same places others see it; during disasters and whatnot......but not real often.....I guess I just feel like that kinda stuff is just what people oughta do in those times; that's just how I was raised; pitch in when someone needs help. That's not SUPER, that's just common decency, and I feel kinda sad that people these days are so inspired by those moments, like they're rare or exceptional somehow.....bringing to the table things to help out your fellow neighbors is just what kids should be raised to do naturally; not the baseline of superheroics. In my personal opinion, the baseline of Superheroes is really the costume, and in some cases, the abilities; a superhero wears a costume to attract attention and/or raise awareness, and many superheroes (in comics) go outside the mainstream to help society using superhuman abilities of all different kinds. Just being a nice guy isn't the real baseline of a superhero, because let's face it, Batman and the Punisher are both assholes lol. 

In my opinion, everyone is a hero, but by no means does that mean everyone's a superhero. My sister's a hero for raising three kids all on her own, for example, but she doesn't dress up in tights at night and fight off supervillains with her uncanny Shrieking Scream lol. XD 

With that kind of a model, where everyone's a hero......Nobody is. If everyone's "special", then nobody is. That was the baseline of Disney Pixar's "The Incredibles"......and it's also the baseline of Socialism....which I'm sorry to say, doesn't have an amazing track record, historically speaking. XD

@Batman: What's stopping you right now from working virtually anywhere under the "RLSH umbrella" with other members? You can do that; nobody's stopping you, and there's no organization currently? Why do you agree someone, or a select group needs to "lead the charge" so to speak? Can't you make your own decision as to whether or not you want to work with someone? o.O

Sure you can; you're an adult. Employees in an organization don't have that luxury though. =/ Kinda like the plotline in Marvel's "Captain America: Civil War". Worth a watch or two.  

@Anyman: Coolness; the Xtreme Justice League's probably one of the best superhero teams out there. Batman and Omen would love it.

@204 I didn't mean me specifically I currently work with my own team and it's been that way for about three years now but when I first was starting out in year one something like an organized RLSH would have been a god send to have at the time sharing information experience etc anyone can techinally work anywhere yes but everyone here works differently in sure which is were the organization comes into play as I'm sure Omen wouldn't approve of some of your methods or maybe even mine who is to say currently I don't know where any other memebers are based out of and I don't know if the information here is current or not

A leader must be good at delegation and not try to "lead" every aspect of an outing. Nobody can control everything; they won't have the expertise in ALL areas, or the omnipresence required to oversee every movement or choice. The skill required of a leader is to accurately assess the capabilities of those they lead and then to delegate responsibilities based on this assessment and the immediate and potential requirements of handling the situation. Captain Picard from TNG is a fine example. He lead without needing to control every minute detail because he had faith that once he delegated a job, he could trust in the competence of his team.

As for the lack of organization in the community as a whole, I agree there are geological restraints, and there is reluctance by many to follow the majority opinion if it opposes their own (and enforcement of such decisions is practically impossible). But the biggest barrier to wider organization -- in my opinion  -- is secrecy. After nine years on this forum, I know only one person's name.  I certainly don't give mine, and when I started here I even had someone typing all my posts so they couldn't be traced to me. It's tough to organize with people when they don't share their information,  especially when trust plays an important role. This is why local teams can work. The members know each other.  The larger community doesn't have this.

@Batman: I kinda thought that everyone having different methods is kinda what's inherently special about the RLSH; different skills for different situations. It would be kinda boring if everybody agreed on everything and did everything the exact same way like robots. Meh. =/

@Gauge: Very well said; always looked up to Star Trek.  Though...I thought you knew two people's names? Superman and I sure haven't made it a huge secret haha. I know a couple others names too; there's a small number of folks on here that swap secret identities haha. Kinda helps the community feel more homey; like a family.

Oh, and Super Hero, and Zimmer, and Life, and Zetaman. XD

Out of how many? And how well do you know then?

Honestly I'm with Gauge on this one our identities are things not to be taking lightly and I don't see many people swapping them or would want to swap them considering you don't really know someone until the chips are down so to speak

This is a great discussion. Now that we have established obstacles blocking the path of successful organization - Where do things go from here?

When I go to a client site, I am often confronted with a million reasons why something won’t work. When things are challenging, a chance to shine is created. Common reasons to stop something is as common as the word itself. Not only is it common, sadly… it is infectious.

My job is to provide solutions when I go onsite. Some might by crazy, abnormal, extreme, and uncomfortable, but the solution to the problem is ALL I care about; for it is why I was called. Sometimes I succeed and other times, I fail, but it does not stop me from pursuing my livelihood because it is something I enjoy.

You guys are heroes.

Organization may… or may not be possible, that will always be debatable. But the big picture is about doing ‘Good’, helping others, and inspiring those staring into the darkness of jaded hope. THIS is the common task that is shared amongst all or you to solve.

Techniques can vary, this is natural. Philosophies may be different. Approaches can be as diverse as the costume, uniforms, and masks that are worn. The 'focus', is what matter MOST; which happens to be those you intend to help, influence, and/or inspire.

You guys are heroes and this is YOUR community.

Marines are taught, “In all chaos there is opportunity,” not all can see this. Many people shrug, hide, run, and scream in chaos. Courage is not always natural, many times it has to be trained and tested.

To speak in front of a group takes courage.
To help another as others are fearful to act, takes courage.
To approach a crying child in hopes of making them laugh, while in costume, takes courage.
To listen… and take the time to understand someone that has given up on life and offer them hope… takes courage.

You have already established the obstacles, as heroes – how do you take this conversation to the next level of brainstorming to find a solution to what made you become a RLSH in the first place?

Invention is creating something new to solve an existing challenge. It’s time to start thinking outside the box, guys. Why else is everyone here?

-Omen, "Heroes aren't made during good times." - The Elite Forces Division

@Gauge: Those are just the ones whom, if I recall correctly, are the ones who have (seemingly) been open and public about their identities in the community at some point or another, Superman for example going as far as to post his home address, others sharing cell phone numbers with the world. Both of which I would personally agree are bad ideas. I've been fairly open about my name, but I have a ridiculously common name, so it may or may not matter, and in any case, legal names can always be changed. 

@Batman: I don't place too high of a value on protecting my identity, personally; for a couple reasons. The first reason is that I'm not good at lying or keeping secrets because my whole life I've had a bad habit of saying the first thing that pops into my head; not thinking before I speak, in fact, was the original reason I got locked up when I was twelve lol. XD "No filters" as I've been told; I'm not really sure why, I guess it's just easier for me somehow than tiptoing around everything and worrying about offending someone's precious sensibilities; I never really know what to say to people so I just kinda unconsciously say everything and hope I get enough of it correct lol. I've also been told that I don't have a good grasp or understanding of consequences; but that might just be because I've always been kinda impulsive....Anyhoo, at the end of the day, protecting one's identity just doesn't seem feasible in this day and age. One would have to pretty much ditch telephones, computers, shopping, socializing, driving, and trusting all together. Every call can be traced somehow; I don't believe in "secure lines" at this point. What happens in cyberspace stays in cyberspace; nothing is ever truly "deleted". Every time you walk into walmart or a gas station, chances are you've been caught on camera. Walking on the street or driving your car even opens you up to being caught on traffic cameras. Not to mention all the varieties of surveillance equipment and electronic bugs or drones and satellites. If someone really wanted to find out who you are, they'll find a way to do it, and there's nothing you can do about it....short of killing anyone who finds out who you are, lol, but even then, it'd be tricky, and no kinda life to live if you ask me. The saying rings true in this case; you can run, but you can't hide; not indefinitely anyway, and most of the techniques to hide effectively are impractical for the longterm and/or illegal to perform. ....But yep, personally I wouldn't live in fear, and just handle each situation as it presents itself until I couldn't anymore. Everyone's got a breaking point. 

@Omen: I've tried thinking outside the box. People hated it, lol. XD

@Omen for starters i would go about seeing who is still active within the RLSH community and going from there whether it be this forum a facebook etc and start collectively talking together to see where everyone is in relation to the idea of organizing ourselves

What would "organizing ourselves" even look like? o.O

Outstanding. This is a start which can be used to lay the foundation for planning.

With any operation, one of the first steps to take, is information gathering (Recon). As the old saying goes, ‘Recon is the first factor that matters on the battlefield’.

Identifying actual motivated RLSHs, who are hungry for something different, will give you a pool of individuals prepared to ‘forward think’ real solutions. The goal is to build and nurture a relationship with those of like-minds – while understanding that differences in approach can be the factor needed for discussion.

Example: If you said something like, ‘I run fast and I want to win.’

You can find like-minds from professional runners, basketball players, and football players.  You want to nurture the relationship with the choice that fits your approach the best.

Hence, you would have to consider…

I like working in a team, this would exclude professional runner.
I am not a great jumper, this excludes basketball.
I am agile, you just might find yourself relating more to the football players.

This works the same for RLSHs. I don’t find myself attracted to self-proclaimed vigilante RLSHs, so I rarely participate in their conversations. I am not attracted to comparing martial arts, and armor, so I keep my mouth (keyboard) shut.

I find myself attracted to those determined NOT to forget ‘why’ this all started. I’m attracted to those embracing real world hardships and willing to share their battle, such as Idea Man’s battle with weight. It was inspiring. Heck, Knight-Hood is still out there alone and silently caring for the homeless.

There is nothing wrong with the desire to clean drugs out of a neighborhood, but the conversations around kicking-butt and taking names, is not a novel attempt to solve such an age-old challenge.

This is when heroic minds are needed most. Creativity from a gadgeteer might propose setting up cellular blockers in high traffic areas which can be camouflaged. One or more of the RLSHs that patrol, might know key locations to place these gadgets.

Drug dealers hanging out are notoriously on their phones and often hanging in the areas signals are the strongest. Over time, they drift from the areas that have the crappiest reception. In other words, you can easily control them like cattle.

Relationships with local stop-n-go stores would benefit from a gadget such as this outside of their store. In other words, it is all a ‘cat-and-mouse’ game and the goal is to be smart, legal, and safe.

New ideas, start with a problem and a healthy discussion from a galvanized group. There is often more than one way to solve any problem, especially when you have a great team and are proactive.

-Omen

I guess that answers my question....segregation? o.O

Hunh? 

Are we supposed to 'read' something into this comment, 204?

I asked "what would organizing ourselves even look like", then you went on about identifying certain individuals and rounding them up so to speak, while ignoring other members of the community, in order to create this newer, better, "organized' movement. My question is, what will be so much better about it than it is right now? Maybe I should have been more specific, but that's what I'm curious about; how will "organization" (whatever the hell you guys mean by that) make the RLSH better than what they are now? Can you answer that yet? o.O

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your collective view of what you want to turn the RLSH into, but currently it just seems like a fancy way to divide us. The activists from the vigilantes, the "insiders" from the "outsiders". Doesn't strike me as any differently than separating the black from the white; it's a cultural thing. The idea might look all neat and tidy and...."organized", but to win people over, you have to show what's actually better about this division than grouping everyone into one category, a "melting pot" so to speak. Isn't working together preferably to segregation? 

I know that the way you're presenting this makes it look like a lovely idea that I'm sure a lot of people would be eager to try out....I'd just hate to see it blow up in your face like the last time someone tried to do that to the RLSH. It won't work; the RLSH is a melting pot. Always will be. You can't turn it into anything other than that, which it sounds like is what you're trying to do in my opinion. My personal, humble opinion. 

But I COULD be wrong. Maybe singling people out is the way to go.

omen wrote:

The goal is to build and nurture a relationship with those of like-minds – while understanding that differences in approach can be the factor needed for discussion.

Separating those who have "like-minds" from those who don't have "like-minds"; the have's from the have-not's, so to speak, while still acknowledging, to a degree anyway, that maybe the have-not's can be useful to you in your agenda....soooo, maybe we should just keep them "downstairs", lol. 

Look...I've said it before, and I'll say it again: We all know what the road to Hell is paved with. Omen, I'm sure you have the best of intentions, but you're trying to fix something that isn't actually broken, in my opinion. Part me doesn't even want to try showing you the error here and just let you see it to fruition so that I can say "I told you so!" lol.

omen wrote:

Heck, Knight-Hood is still out there alone and silently caring for the homeless.

....In other words, it is all a ‘cat-and-mouse’ game and the goal is to be smart, legal, and safe.

PS: Knight-Hood isn't "staying legal" when he's helping the homeless; it's illegal to help the homeless in Florida because there's a war on homelessness there. There may even be an argument to be made that by feeding the homeless, Knight-Hood is actually contributing to the problem. Probably not though; I'm just pointing out a double-standard, lol. 

PPS: Knight-Hood carries a gun on him....granted, it's loaded with rubber bullets that are supposedly non-lethal, but still, he carries it because it's inherently not safe to be a superhero, which is why there's often an emphasis on armor and weapons and martial arts. Being a superhero is an invitation for trouble with certain people, and looking for trouble is a large part of what superheroes inherently do. Seeing as Knight-Hood isn't legal or safe, I felt you'd want to be aware of those facts before grouping him into an idea of the RLSH that always stays safe and legal. Smarts still always plays a part though; regardless of which side of the fence you're on.