MacGyver has obviously impacted each of us in many different ways. Whether it’s what the character stands for, his style or his habits...How has MacGyver impacted you and how does it show up in your life?

MacGyver had a prrofoundly deep impact on me. As a kid I always thrived on action and adventure and fantasy...as entertainment AND an escape. I didn’t have a great childhood...better than many...but not something I’d ever go back and repeat unless I could pick exact moments! I was smarter than most kids my age, eating up books like food and I was a loner and artistic. Once I started school, it didn’t take long for me to be labeled a weirdo nerd, and I was picked on all the time. I quickly believed being smart was a curse. I was also abused for a long time and since I had an active imagination, it was real easy to withdraw and just live in my own world. I was already in the habit of pretending to be characters like James West, Captain Kirk...lol...even Zorro...so when MacGyver came along...it was only natural! Indiana Jones happened then, too, and I got hooked right away on both. MacGyver was my quick favorite...he eventually helped me see it was a good thing to be smart and that I didn’t have to hide it. I related easily to kids he interacted with like Kate (Ugly Duckling) and Lisa (Cease Fire) and I was impressed how he cared for the outcasts. MacGyver started kind of a slow revolution in my life, and was a main influence on keeping me away from drugs and alcohol. Before I was in junior high I decided I wanted to be a teacher or social worker, so I could make a difference like Mac. That’s not what I ended up studying in college, but by the time I got to that point I was generally OK with being a brainy loner and started to think it was reasonable that I was a living breathing human being. At some point I stumbled reluctantly into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and that’s when everything MacGyver taught me kind of solidified...I didn’t just see myself through Mac’s eyes, but through God’s. After I graduated college, I got involved with a church that was in need of a senior high Sunday School teacher...so I stepped in and started realizing the teacher part of my dream, and it didn’t take long to take long to work in the social worker aspect when I became involved in the teen youth group leadership, too. So now for 11 years I’ve been teaching, counseling and building relationships with teens, and I can’t imagine not doing it! I even manage to work in the occasional MacGyver object lesson!

Other ways MacGyver’s impacted me...I have a deep respect for the world and people around me. I’m not quick to judge, but I am quick to stand against injustice. I love nature and would rather spend a day in the woods than anywhere else. On a sillier note, I have a kitten name MacTiger, my son pretends to be MacGyver (and sometimes Murdoc...I kind of persuade him to the Mac side when he does! LOL), I carry a SAK and use it at least once a day, my computer plays all kinds of MacGyver sound clips when certain things happen, I have a Mac quote on my screen-saver, and my cell phone plays the theme song. I don’t drive a Jeep yet...but I’m really liking that new 4-door Wrangler! And, well, my favorite web site is pretty obvious!

What?

How has MacGyver impacted me? Well I was jealous of his mullet, his jeep and his SAK. I always wanted it. But my mother never let me, of course times change and now I do whatever I want.
As a kid I was also like Amy always thriving on action/adventure/fantasy. When I was seven I discovered episodes like Stricktly Business, Trail of Tears and Good Knight MacGyver.
Didn't had much of great childhood either, especially bad teen years (12-16) I also got picked on during the first years of high school. I despise that ***ing school and them for it. I wasted five years there while I was already saying from the first year that I didn't like that school. There's just one simple thing, I would like to know: WHY?! An answer I'll never know. I guess they just wanted somebody to pick on for no reason. I just realised one thing: they aren't worth it. If I compare my years in the high school I'm in now, with the ones I had from before... there's big difference and I got a whole different look upon myself now. My only escape to a better world was MacGyver's World. And I tell you when I was in the ***ing school I watched MacGyver EVERY SINGLE DAY. He helped me that way since I was a loner for a quite a time. MacGyver and writings were my only escapes. I was not far off from quitting school that's why I transfered to the other. I was like Tony Milani and David Ryman as one person. The transfer was at least succesfull.
I also happen to live in my own world. Well lately it's less and less but I still have my dream to pursue. That's coming closer and closer and I find it a bit terrifying. But there's still a big chunk of school left I have to finish. And it's going to get tough(er).

I think that of all the ways MacGyver has impacted me, it has to do with doing things even if you're afraid of them.

I'm specifically thinking of the fear of heights thing. The people in my immediate circle don't do things that scare them or take them out of their comfort zone. With MacGyver's influence, I've done things I never thought an acrophobic could do. Yes, he's a fictional character, but he's a 'real' as a fictional character could ever be, with real fears and realistic reactions, so when he does something he says scares him, I believe that he really is scared and not just doing it because it's tv. He's the one who got me to climb a 12,000 ft high mountain in Colorado, who saved my life 3,000 ft up the highest 'mountain' in Great Britain, convinced me to take a rapelling course, gave me the courage to raft over what looked like an extraordinarily tall waterfall, and helped me win my final argument with myself about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro sometime within the next two years (can't wait!).

Mac has also taught me to look at issues from all points, to speak my mind about something that matters even if I'll look 'foolish', and to care about my world and the people in it.

He's been a fantastic role model.

There are other, more obvious, ways that Mac has influenced me, such as the habit of carrying a SAK and of using what's around me to solve problems.

The most subtle way he influenced me made me laugh. It was about a year after I adopted my second cat that I realised that I, Mac, have a 'son' named... Sam! But if you think that's bad, I'd originally intended to call him... Richard (as it is pronounced in French).

Mac

MacGyver has impacted me a lot! As I've said on here before, I grew up watching MacGyver from 1985 to 1992! (And 1994 for the TV-movies!) It was a family Friday night thing where we'd all watch MacGyver. And my brothers and I especially all loved watching it even more as we got older. The biggest kick was always waiting for the Murdoc episodes- wondering how he'd "die" in this one. Those were always the coolest episodes.
I've been able to see MacGyver from the ABC airings to the USA reruns and then I hadn't thought about it much until MacGyver resurfaced on WGN in the late 90s. That got me all fired up again on MacGyver and I kept watching through to the TVLand and Spike airings. And of course, now I've got all 7 seasons on DVD!
(Still waiting for "MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis" and "MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday" though!) And of course, I now own my "MacGyver" jacket- (like the one in my avatar- from "On a Wing and a Prayer") and I carry around my Swiss Army Knife- and I've even tried the whole jamming-the-duct-tape-into-your-back-pocket thing. And I do have a tendency to saw "Aw man!" when I get upset!

I've taken many positive values from MacGyver. As I've gotten older and reflected on the MacGyver episodes, I'm able to see how many good principles the character really espoused and as a Christian, I'm able to see many Christ-like qualities which only helped draw me closer to God. I totally dislike and don't use guns, drugs, alcohol, cigars or cigarettes, or curse words due in part to MacGyver's aversion to all of these. (I know he cursed some in the first season- but none after that- as it was decided that swearing would not be part of his character.) So generally at least, MacGyver avoided all these things and it was a strong influence on me to do likewise. Of course, I also have a bigger Biblical basis for avoiding all those things- but MacGyver was a good way to solidify those Christian values in me.
Of course, I also think of any character on TV, MacGyver also espoused many character traits that point me back to Jesus- because He commanded them. I can think of few better Good Samaritans on TV than MacGyver. And there's numerous examples. "Runners" is one of the first that comes to mind, but there's also "Birth Day", "Cease Fire", "Bitter Harvest" and any other episode where MacGyver stopped everything he was doing to help a complete stranger in their time of need. That's the kind of hero MacGyver is! MacGyver loves his neighbor. MacGyver also certainly does unto others as he would have them do unto him, just as the Golden Rule says in Luke 6:31.
MacGyver also does not discriminate and he helps everyone no matter what color, gender or social status. We have a powerful reminder of that in "The Challenge" and "There But For the Grace".
MacGyver also believes in real justice- and leaves vengeance to the Lord, as Nahum says. He believes that murder is not justice and it's always wrong!
"Slow Death" and "The Stringer" are two great examples of that.
All these traits I've seen good examples of in MacGyver and they have only helped to solidify what I already read in The Bible. It's amazing what God can use to drive truth home.
Ultimately, MacGyver believes in the worth and value of every human being. And certainly God values and loves every human being too- just as He commands Christians to love everyone.
So I know a lot of non-Christians may not have the same impact and people of different religions might interpret MacGyver's actions and character traits a different way, which is only to be expected, but for me, MacGyver has helped impact my Christian faith a lot! And that's something that goes much to MacGyver's credit!
So yeah- those are some of the reasons why MacGyver is my number one favorite TV show of all time! MacGyver rocks!

Funny guy...

For me the biblical foundation came later...but I know exactly what you mean.

Mac, you've done those things!!!!! How awesome is that????!!!!

I totally agree with you...that's why he's my favorite hero. I was never into the whole superhero thing...that just wasn't real. Mac was/is...whatever...

That's awesome, MG...I know you really had a tough time and it's great to see things turning around!

Life has a way of being that way...I know you won't let it keep you from your dreams!

Of course, I fell off a (short) cliff in Colorado (thank goodness for the cliché thorny bush at the bottom!), had a close call on Ben Nevis (it's a good thing there was a good cloud cover that day that belied the fact that between the ground and my feet where I was dangling was 3,000 ft of air), and got a concussion going over that waterfall.

Hopefully Kilimanjaro, when I get to it, will be without too much incident.

Mac
not normally accident-prone, but last week's fall can make one wonder....

In matter of religion MacGyver never had any impact on me! The impact episodes like There but for the Grace, Bitter Harvest and Runners and other episodes like that had on me was: Be there and care for the others around you, especially when they are poorer than you! I have a great admiration for him and for what he did in There but for the Grace.

On some points I agree. I don't know if I dislikes guns since I never used it. On drugs I agree, I know what it can do.
On alcohol I'm guilty, cigars/cigarettes half guilty and on curse words I'm guilty.

Well it lasted five years! It was about bloody time, because I finally got a chance to by myself.
Now it's tough too, I had a better day today then earlier in the weeks. But I sure had bumpy ride upon till now.

Yeah but it really is scary. I'm not sure if I finish high school what happens. I'll miss those teachers and student friends. I at least have some this time.

I musta missed this before...yeah, it's true. Maybe 11 years total.

That's a great message to take from those and the whole series, religion or no.

And here was I thinking I was the only one... Is this somehow required for becoming unusual and creative?

I couldn't rely on MacGyver at the time since I didn't know him yet back then but I also withdrew into books and lived in other worlds.


It took me several years to find out that it wasn't me that was the problem but the others. Till I found some really good friends because of the internet that like me exactly the way I am and where I don't have to hide.


But the question was actually how MacGyver impacted my life. I can't think of much except that I caught myself many times drumming with my fingers onto things or skimming with my hands over something. Did you ever notice how he is doing that all the time? After watching all seven seasons it somehow had rubbed off on me. I certainly didn't do that before.

I also like to stand with my hands in my pockets, but I did that already before watching the show. Though not the special way he does.

I certainly don't intendedly copy anything to be like him, it just happened. So maybe other things have rubbed off on me also but I just don't notice.

Here is an interesting question, though: Did you become caring and helpful because MacGyver was a role model, or did you like the show so much since you already were that way before?

For me, I never was any other way. And maybe that was the reason I seemed not to fit into this world.

And as for the alcohol/drugs/cigarettes - MacGyver isn't the reason I drink alcohol only twice a year, it's just because I don't get much out of it. Same for drugs and cigarettes - I never tried since I don't understand what people would get out of it.

But I definitely like the way MacGyver wants to explain everything. I'm the same - I want to have things I can grasp and see and understand.

Well, sorry to sound that serious, but I think that MacGyver should not be the only reason for you doing these things. You should do them since YOU want to do them and also only when you feel you are capable of. There is nothing wrong in testing your limits, but without the correct preparation it is just stupid.

He's not even the reason, just an example of someone who does what he wants to do even if it scares the living daylights out of him, even if those around him try to discourage him. Haven't you ever wanted to do something, but was scared to and just needed a little push? As for 'correct preparation', I'm very active and always train hard before every adventure.

MacGyver also helped me figure out why I love to travel (to see how people are different and the same). I just love going somewhere at the spur of the moment and calling 'home' collect to let my mother know where I'm sleeping that night. Best call so far (sharing because it's relatively on topic):

Her: Erm, where are you now, so I can anticipate how much this is going to cost?
Me: Minnesota.
Her: Minnesota?! What's in Minnesota?!
Me: Not. Much.

As I said in my post, no one in my circle does things outside their comfort zone (and most of them make fun or discourage people who do), so I had to find a model outside of that circle, and it just happened to be a rakish fictional (but realistic!) man.

Mac
happy black sheep of the family!

First, of course I did not want to offend you or anything. Sorry if it sounded that way.

And I actually just meant all the mentions of "jumping from the roof with a bedsheet" in this forum. I never would have done such a thing, even as a child. So I think children should know what is TV and what can hurt you in real life.

You are not a child anymore so you know how far you can go, and that's okay. I'm the opposite, I want to be prepared and I want to know in the morning where I sleep tonight. I never would travel through India with just a backpack as my co-worker did. But only because I never wanted to.

You're right, if I really want something then nothing is going to stop me.

How has MacGyver impacted my life? Well, I was always an adventuresome person when I was a kid. I grew up sitting on the back of a horse and I never met a trail in the woods that I didn't take. My mom used to get so mad at me for going out with the horse and not coming home for hours. But she did tell the neighbors that if I was out riding I didn't have time to get into the typical teenage trouble that so many other kids got into.

A new trail was an unexplored path, a puzzle that must be solved. That gives me something in common with MacGyver, the desire to find an answer. My husband would say obsessive but it also explains why Soduku puzzles drive me crazy.

MacGyver's other influences in my life have been the kindness he shows to people in need. In our current society, people are so "me" oriented, that they just do not see the hurt and need in those around them. MacGyver's kindness to others and willingness to get involved has led me to making the decision everyday to do something nice for someone else. In the last week, I have offered to teach a class for another instructor, done research for someone else's project, paid for a stranger's coffee, bought my son a Thomas the Tank Engine magazine and taken my husband on a date. Its been fun and I don't feel as stressed out. Go figure. no wonder MacGyver has such an easy smile.

Its great that some of you feel MacGyver has been a positive impact in your lives but I’m not sure that it has influenced me to any great extent. If there was no MacGyver my life wouldn’t be any different (apart from my visits to this website ). All the decisions I have made in my life, good and bad, I’m pretty sure I would have made anyway. If I think about my decisions I could say that some are totally what I think MacGyver would have done but others not so much and some definitely not what he would have done! Maybe because I didn’t “Grow up” with MacGyver being shown on the TV. I saw some episodes as a child but then I didn’t see it again until the DVD releases. There are some episodes that made me stop and think so I guess thats an impact it had on me...but then again watching the daily news has that impact on me too.

To those of you who see MacGyver-like traits in yourselves - maybe these aren’t influenced by MacGyver but more of a reason why you like the show so much?

I've been up there a few times myself, though I have to say I didn't take the route that involved dangling 3,000ft in the air! Pity there was cloud for you. The views pretty cool. Have you climbed any other Munros?

Nope...definitely not the only one! And I don't think it's required...just common, unfortunately.

I don't think any TV character should be the ONLY reason you do anything. MacGyver, in my case, played a HUGE part in shaping me...but he wasn't the only influence...just possibly the strongest, until Jesus later on in my life. I mentioned my grandfather in another topic...he was definitely a strong influence. I had a very few friends with whom I could "come out of hiding," and they influenced me in certain ways...but many of them were into smoking, drinking, and drugs (they were outcasts, too) and I didn't get into that. My parents influenced me...but for the most part I felt like I was misunderstood and an inconvenience...I don't blame them...they were barely adults and our early life as a family wasn't easy.

I think my respect for the world and sense of justice definitely were shaped by MacGyver...As a kid I had a pretty warped view of the world at large and justice, but always the good sense to know right from wrong. My love of nature and outdoors was always there...MacGyver just deepened it.

That sounds so MacGyver!

I'm glad there was cloud cover that morning! It was a brutal day in late June or early July with snow coming down in wet sheets. I could barely see two feet in front of me and I slipped, going over the edge of the path. I managed to grab onto something as I went over and I felt a faint hold below my foot, but I couldn't see where I was, or what was below me, so I didn't panic and just pulled myself back up to the path.

When I came back down a few hours later, the clouds had completely cleared and I could see straight down to the glen (awesome view!). When I came to the spot where I'd gone off the trail, I saw that it was a sheer drop down from there and that all my foot had been resting on was a rock sticking out from the side of the mountain. If those clouds hadn't been there, I'm sure I would have panicked and gone splat!

It's the only Munro I've climbed. I'm not into actual mountain climbing, just trekking (hence why Kili is appealing).

Mac

Oh my gosh! Where has this forum been all my life?!! I can't believe I only just found it today I've been missing out!
Anyway, how has MacGyver impacted me?
I don't actually know WHAT it is that I love about him so much, but I've just finished ordering and getting all the seasons on DVD so I've been re-watching them all over again, and remembering back when I was younger when I'd HAVE to watch the show on a Saturday afternoon (Yes, for some reason they showed it on Saturday afternoons over here - goodness only knows why!)
Sorry, I can't think of anything else to write right now ... for my first post, cause it's too early in the morning! LOL But hopefully I'll have more to say soon

Well...it hasn't been here all your life! (Sorry...couldn't resist being a smarty-pants! )

Welcome to the forum!!! Can't wait to get to know ya, Kiwi!

Hey...waitaminute...A kiwi (besides being a delicious funny-looking fruit) is also a bird, isn't it???? Sluggie, Labrat, Reptile, Sheepy....there are so many I can't remember them all...and now Kiwi! Our zoo is growing!

Poor unfortunate creature

Yep you'll fit right in with the rest of the menagerie.

Welcome to MOL!

Welcome to the Zoo... er....community.

The original New Zealand airing back in 1985 was the 7:30 slot on Saturday night. It replaced a short lived show called Q.E.D, which was similar to MacGyver in many ways.

Actually the correct name of the "funny looking fruit" is "Kiwifruit. I know in American for some reason they are just called Kiwis. But Kiwi is actually the name of an even funnier looking bird, which is the national icon of New Zealand and the proud nickname of New Zealand citizens.

heres a picture of a real Kiwi taken from the Wikipedia Kiwi page.

Yeah, us Americans are notorious for taking the easy way out!

Because.... you guys have to distinquish between the fruit and yourselves and/or the bird?

We don't have a Yankfruit

A nymph is a “baby insect” . You can be part of the zoo too Nymphy.

I had to think about this one for awhile.

I've been a 'MacAddict' (so to speak!) since the eighth grade, when I first discovered the show. I liked it immediately... an action hero who was also sensitive and funny and HUMAN. It taught me a lot about life:

-that coming to terms with your losses has to be done, no matter how much the process hurts... and that you can choose to let your losses make you a better person

-that violence is NEVER the answer (this has significantly influenced my politics... I consider myself a progressive, antiwar Democrat)

-that hate is always dangerous, especially the type that masquerades as law-abiding, crimefighting self-righteousness

-that everyone has something to teach... and a lot to learn... and its corollary: no one has all the answers to life, no matter what or how strong their convictions may be

-that one person really can make a difference

-that the very best thing we can do with our lives is to leave the world a little more peaceful and a little less broken than we found it

-that when you choose to help another person, be prepared for your own life to be changed as well

I know I'll probably think of more later...

Very nice lessons, MacGirl....

I especially like:

Anyone else find themselves using MacGyver quotes in their every day life? Sometimes I do it on purpose, then there are the days when the quotes just pop out. For example:

Today, after I got off the phone with a client, I noticed a colleague giving me a strange look. I shrugged and said: "All right, my German's not so good, but she understood me!"

The other day, I was heading to a party with my sister and had forgotten to bring the address. My sister asked me how I expected to find the party and I mused: "The address had a lot of twos..."

Mac

All the time. Hubby just rolls his eyes any more cuz he knows where they're from usually. Most everyone else doesn't catch it unless I've used it more than once.

Yeah sometimes.

You should've said: 'My German is a little rusty!'

You should've said: 'My German is a little rusty!'

Well, Mac says 'My German's not so good' in whatever ep it is where he goes to East Germany with Nikki (the one with Starkoss, I think).

Besides, my German's not just rusty, it's almost non-existent.

Mac

I think he did say the same thing. A little rusty.

When I first saw MacGyver, oh in around the summer of 04 on spike tv reruns, what inspired me to keep watching MacGyver is the self reliance attitude i think what really hooked me to the show was in hell week (the first episode i saw) "We are the bomb squad" I keep watching the show and try to follow his values, of course i have my non-demonination Christian values, MacGyver is the ultimate role model. As a leader in my boyscout troop, some episodes -- The Golden Triange specifically, are a good/cool/entertaining teaching aide when going over leadership with some of the other older scouts, even more so everything MacGyver does is reflective of boyscouts, yeah so it is a really good way to stop showing Apollo 13 and showing them how that applies to leadership. I eat healthier because of MacGyver, pretty much alot of my traits have changed because of MacGyver.