Looking up to Someone

I stumbled upon this phrase today in a  quote from David Foster Wallace.  It made me smile, and wonder and ask questions.  I find the most eloquent amongst us have that ability - to make us consider things with their words and ideas that we either haven't previously, or haven't recently.  It was really the underlying irony that struck me here as well.

When we are young, and small, we look up to those around us with more life experience, and height.  I can't say whether that's the origin of the phrase, but it seem too obvious not to be true.  We admire and respect those older than us for the simple fact that they are older, bigger, cooler or more powerful.  I think the rationalizing choice as to 'why' we do it is dependant upon whether we're speaking about a parent, teacher, sports figure, senior child in the schoolyard and so on.

What happens when we're grown up though ?  The phrase is still used.  What are we looking up to.. does older, bigger, cooler or more powerful still carry the day ?  Is the ingrained framework  of seeking guidance still present.  I think to some degree it is.   So, let's test this a little.

Think back, who did you 'look up to' when you were in elementary school ?  and why..  Think for a moment about your own answers.  Now, who do you admire today, who is that person or persons today, and why do you 'look up to' them..?  Is it the same reason...

Your answers, my answers.. they are interesting in what they say about us, aren't they.