In today's modern world, when we think of heroes, we are invited to reflect on ourselves and look back at the pages of history, asking questions such as, "What can I do to help in a situation like this?" or "How can I contribute using the abilities and resources I have?"

We are all familiar with the concept of heroism. Yet, in today's society, it seems increasingly difficult to understand what being a hero truly means. At times, the idea is even treated as a joke or something out of place. One possible explanation can be found in psychological research on the bystander effect. Simply put, this phenomenon describes how an individual's sense of responsibility to intervene tends to diminish when others are also present during an emergency. In their 1968 study, psychologists Darley and Latané explained that the presence of more bystanders at an emergency scene can actually make it less likely for someone to step forward and offer help. What should have been an urgent call to action can instead turn into a game of passing responsibility from one person to another.

This fading sense of heroism is further compounded by the growing tendency toward individualism, which is sometimes mistakenly associated with stoicism. It is also reinforced by the mindset of many people in modern society, who remain focused on what is immediately in front of them or on matters they believe they can personally control. Social media and increasingly accessible technology, initially developed to bring people closer through communication, have paradoxically contributed to the gradual erosion of empathy through the culture of the attention economy and performative activism. Helping others, which should be a genuine expression of human responsibility, has increasingly become, for some, an opportunity to create viral content. Ironic? Absolutely, Kawan UNDIRA.

When we look back at the contributions of our national heroes, such as Ir. Soekarno, R.A. Kartini, Pangeran Diponegoro, and countless others, we are prompted to question the paradoxes of modern society: What does it mean to be a hero today?

As we approach Indonesia's National Heroes Day on November 10, 2026, the spirit symbolized by this year's Heroes' Day flame logo offers us another opportunity to reflect on the meaning of heroism. This year's philosophical theme, "Pahlawanku Teladanku: Melangkah Bersama, Melanjutkan Perjuangan" (My Hero, My Inspiration: Moving Forward Together, Continuing the Struggle), reminds us that heroism is not necessarily defined by material wealth or by reaching the highest point in one's life. After all, not all heroes of the past were born into privilege or held positions of great authority.

Being a hero in the modern era is no longer simply about what we possess or how much we can offer to help others. Kawan UNDIRA, when we witness forest and land fires, as well as the many natural disasters that strike Indonesia, we also see volunteers from all walks of life stepping forward willingly and without hesitation to ease the suffering of those affected. Their contributions take many forms, whether through physical assistance, financial support,