Be honest, would you really want to be 007?

GordoLeiter · September 2012

Pros of being James Bond - Sleep with many beautiful women, travel around the world, good income, lots of excersize.
Cons of being James Bond - Life is at risk 24/7, the possiblity of having a normal life and a family is impossible (as seen in OHMSS) .

So just out of curiosity, do any of you REALLY want to be like 007 if you had the chance?

minigeff · September 2012

Nope, I'd prefer to be like old school Q

Dutchfinger · September 2012

In terms of the REAL job he does, it sounds fantastic, but I proberbly won't manage, but then again, none of us would!

)

But It sure would be a very huge dream to be one of the actors to one day portray 007! Gosh I only wish!

Le Samourai · September 2012

No, absolutely not. Being a 00 doesn't fit my personality at all. A few reasons off the top of my head…

• I'm essentially a homebody who likes to spend quiet evenings at home with my wife and cats.

• I'm not an uber-patriot, nor do I have much respect for authority. I don't respond well to being given orders. I remain something of a post-punk kid at heart, even in my 40s.

• I don't relish the notion of having to constantly lie and deceive people, nor do I want to have to kill anyone. My personal code of ethics would often get in the way.

• I am in no way an adrenaline junkie. I don't like extremes.

For what it's worth, the screen spies I most relate to are John Drake and Harry Palmer, both of whom had serious objections to the spy trade. I can also relate to the cinematic Jason Bourne, who opts out of the whole game. And really, the fictional heroes I identify with the most are characters such as Elvis Cole, Joe Pike, Atticus Kodiak, and Spenser.

I should also note that my favorite screen Bonds are Lazenby, Dalton, and Craig. Perhaps not coincidentally, they are also the most rebellious Bonds.

GordoLeiter · September 2012

I admire your honesty Le Samourai, just saying

Thunderpussy · September 2012

"No Way" to quote Bond himself.
I'm much happier sitting on the couch with a beer and some snacks watching Him do all the hard work.
Although he just happens to do excatly what I would of done in the same situation

)

zaphod · September 2012

Le Samourai wrote:

No, absolutely not. Being a 00 doesn't fit my personality at all. A few reasons off the top of my head…

• I'm essentially a homebody who likes to spend quiet evenings at home with my wife and cats.

• I'm not an uber-patriot, nor do I have much respect for authority. I don't respond well to being given orders. I remain something of a post-punk kid at heart, even in my 40s.

• I don't relish the notion of having to constantly lie and deceive people, nor do I want to have to kill anyone. My personal code of ethics would often get in the way.

• I am in no way an adrenaline junkie. I don't like extremes.

For what it's worth, the screen spies I most relate to are John Drake and Harry Palmer, both of whom had serious objections to the spy trade. I can also relate to the cinematic Jason Bourne, who opts out of the whole game. And really, the fictional heroes I identify with the most are characters such as Elvis Cole, Joe Pike, Atticus Kodiak, and Spenser.

I should also note that my favorite screen Bonds are Lazenby, Dalton, and Craig. Perhaps not coincidentally, they are also the most rebellious Bonds.

You sound quite Bondlike to me (apart from the bit with the cats) after all Bond does not relish killing, and can only cope/justify it as part of a larger moral code. He is patriotic, but I see that as a contingent feature of the culture he was created in. If Bond were being written today this would be toned down. He has his own issues with authority and a strong rebellious streak of his own to contend with. Politically and socially his attitudes are left of ( the then Centre) and as Fleming contended probably left of the authors own views.He also is not in my view an 'adrenalin junkie' but driven by necessity and a sense of moral duty .

In summary I think from what I can deduce you are more Bondian than you think.

don p · September 2012

ide give it ago for a while,,

i currently work in afghanistan,,,,,,,, deal with spooks,, secrets......military ... possible enemy every day..... and like bond,, i do every so often get to spent time in dubai in good posh hotels,

(then home to the wife for leave lol )......

Le Samourai · September 2012

zaphod wrote:

You sound quite Bondlike to me (apart from the bit with the cats) after all Bond does not relish killing, and can only cope/justify it as part of a larger moral code. He is patriotic, but I see that as a contingent feature of the culture he was created in. If Bond were being written today this would be toned down. He has his own issues with authority and a strong rebellious streak of his own to contend with. Politically and socially his attitudes are left of ( the then Centre) and as Fleming contended probably left of the authors own views.He also is not in my view an 'adrenalin junkie' but driven by necessity and a sense of moral duty .
In summary I think from what I can deduce you are more Bondian than you think.

Well, I certainly won't argue about being more Bondian than I realize! For what it's worth, I do have at least a few 007-worthy skills: http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/38532/how-would-you-fair-as-a-double-o/page/2/

Seriously, you make some interesting points, and I tend to agree. Most of the aspects of Bond's character you mention are more in keeping with the literary character than the film character. That is part of the reason I much prefer Fleming's Bond to the movie Bond: I can relate to him more.

My one quibble is I do think Bond is something of an adrenaline junky, though not in a modern, X Games sort of way. He seems to live in constant fear of the "soft life" and boredom, and has a need to take risks. I think Bond has a drive to take on dangerous missions that goes beyond a sense of moral duty.

zaphod · September 2012

Le Samourai wrote:

zaphod wrote:

You sound quite Bondlike to me (apart from the bit with the cats) after all Bond does not relish killing, and can only cope/justify it as part of a larger moral code. He is patriotic, but I see that as a contingent feature of the culture he was created in. If Bond were being written today this would be toned down. He has his own issues with authority and a strong rebellious streak of his own to contend with. Politically and socially his attitudes are left of ( the then Centre) and as Fleming contended probably left of the authors own views.He also is not in my view an 'adrenalin junkie' but driven by necessity and a sense of moral duty .
In summary I think from what I can deduce you are more Bondian than you think.

Well, I certainly won't argue about being more Bondian than I realize! For what it's worth, I do have at least a few 007-worthy skills: http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/38532/how-would-you-fair-as-a-double-o/page/2/

Seriously, you make some interesting points, and I tend to agree. Most of the aspects of Bond's character you mention are more in keeping with the literary character than the film character. That is part of the reason I much prefer Fleming's Bond to the movie Bond: I can relate to him more.

My one quibble is I do think Bond is something of an adrenaline junky, though not in a modern, X Games sort of way. He seems to live in constant fear of the "soft life" and boredom, and has a need to take risks. I think Bond has a drive to take on dangerous missions that goes beyond a sense of moral duty.

I agree that both Eros & Thanatos do feature in his make up and is linked to a Maschocistic streak re suffering and Danger which borders upon compulsion. You make a good point.

FelixLeiter ♀ · September 2012

I'd give it a shot

)

I have a small amount of martial arts training from many years ago, so I suppose that is a bit rusty - but still something!
My limited experience with guns has proved very successful over the years and I'd like to try more of it so with more experience I'd feel confident enough there.
I'm an average driver and haven't done my test yet so in that department the small matter of a licence would need to be addressed

)
I drink and smoke, though perhaps not enough to fill 007's shoes.
I adore adrenalin and travel, unlike Le Samourai, extremes is very much my thing.
I don't consider myself all that much of a patriot, it would more be a question of loyalty or else "For England, James?" "No. For me." I have a certain amount of respect for authority, but I'm willing to break the rules according to my own moral standpoints.
My last points should have SHAMEFULLY in large letters. Oh look - I've done it

I am an incredibly well practised liar. I can lie to people's faces far too easily than most people would be comfortable with. Some of them have been little white lies but some have been quite big and black. However, I justify it to myself because I believe them to be necessary.
I could kill someone if I had to. If it was a Bond-type situation or on a battlefield then like the lies, I could justify it. I feel that Bond doesn't kill randomly. In TLD Pushkin says "You are a professional, you do not kill without reason." If it was my job professionally, then I could do it.

To end on a positive note, I swing both ways and am much more confident with women. If I was 007 and therefore a bloke, that would be the easiest part

In conclusion I don't think I'd make a perfect 007, but I would really quite like to give it a go :007)

Jarvio · September 2012

To be the actor who plays him.... Hell yes.

But to be him.... Hell no.

chrisisall · September 2012

He's interesting because he's on the edge.
But most people don't want to be there IMO.

So, no. B-)

ZorinIndustries · September 2012

I've often thought about this, I wouldn't last one mission. It would be terrifying and I would not put my life on the line like that. And I'm sure an STD would be contracted somewhere along the line...

chrisisall · September 2012

ZorinIndustries wrote:

And I'm sure an STD would be contracted somewhere along the line...

There's an ointment for that. :v

superado · September 2012

I'd rather be an secret agent like Arnold Schwarzenegger/Harry Tasker in "True Lies," to have all the spy fun during the day and then to come home to a quiet life. I don't really need the Charlie Sheen serial sex.

Blackleiter · September 2012

Nah! I don't smoke, drink or sleep around, and I hate guns, so what would I do with myself? (I like the cool clothes and cars, though!)

)

Be honest, would you really want to be 007?

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