Zeno Franco : Sometimes we pick heroes who , like Armstrong , transcend physical limitations . But heroism a paradox : It 's private , but it acquires the heroic label as a public activity , he says . The other thing is that there are many people in this world with disabilities and they're not all disabled because of their disability ; some have been born without arms or legs for example. Franco : If we revel in Armstrong 's fall as equalizing , we let ourselves off the hook for heroism .
Zeno Franco : Sometimes we pick heroes who , like Armstrong , transcend physical limitations . But heroism a paradox : It 's private , but it acquires the heroic label as a public activity , he says . At the same time humans hunger for heroic exemplars of heroism , while negating real heroism . Franco : If we revel in Armstrong 's fall as equalizing , we let ourselves off the hook for heroism .