Illustrating the Post-heroic Hero? Portraying the Technological Hero in Israel

Contemporary conflicts appear to change perceptions regarding the nature of war and the human role in military operations. Theories of post-heroic or risk-transfer warfare suggest lowered legitimacy of violence and tolerance for casualties in Western societies. Meanwhile, a key military adaptation is increasing reliance on technology, taking a prime role in “post-heroic” wars and positioning technologists as their new heroes. The chapter explores the rise of the military technologist as a new "demigod" hero in this changing landscape of conflicts. Grounded in interviews with award-winning IDF technologists, it characterizes their distinguishing traits like mission dedication, expertise, translation capacity of operational needs into technological solutions, and rapid prototyping. It also discusses their military track and promotion coupled with the role of commanders and leaders in their development. The chapter’s discussion relates these contemporary technologist-hero characteristics to traditional military heroism ideals, finding core common ground around themes of responsibility, leadership influence, and role modeling, as well as adaptations owing to the technology context. However, it points to the tension on whether post-heroic models threaten the archetypes underpinning the “traditional”, valorized, warrior ethos.