Spectral lines: Where are our heroes?

Recently U.S. News & World Report conducted a poll of young adults in the United States, asking them: “Who are your heroes or heroines “ that is, what public figures living anywhere in the world do you find personally inspiring and would you hope to be like in some way?” Years ago, such a poll might have yielded names like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, or Thomas Watson, but this one did not - at least, not in the top 10. Clint Eastwood was No. 1, and actor-comedian Eddie Murphy No. 2.